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"Owls are some of the most beneficial and enjoyable wildlife we can spot near our homes-screech owls specifically are one of the only species that can and do nest successfully near humans, notably in suburbs and city parks. As traditional screech owl habitats are lost to development, providing new housing for these owls is increasingly vital, and this first-of-its-kind, complete guide will show all nature lovers how to build/buy and site nest boxes, install unobtrusive nest cams for fascinating looks at the habitants and their eventual owlets, and to make yards more nature-friendly by using native plants, keeping pets and squirrels at a distance, and even when to avoid pruning so as not to disrupt the birds at their most vulnerable. Also includes tips on photographing the owls that will come to feel like part of your family"--
About the author
Jim Wright is the author of several books about nature, a prize-winning journalist, and the birding columnist for The Record, Northern New Jersey’s leading newspaper. He has hosted screech owls in his backyard nest box since 2004 and observed them via a nest cam for more than a decade. He leads a campaign to ban the rat poisons that kill owls and other wildlife. He lives in Allendale, New Jersey, where he is a marsh warden.
Summary
This must-read for birders features a complete guide to attracting, understanding, and protecting owls.
The call of an owl evokes mystery; seeing one in the wild inspires wonder. Of the top ten birds people hope to see, three are owls. Although they may be out of sight, owls are widespread throughout North America—and screech owls are the most likely to make their homes near humans. In this book, experts Jim Wright and Scott Weston show you how to attract them to nest in your yard, year after year.
The Screech Owl Companion introduces screech owls, show how to distinguish them from other species, shares fun lore and legend, and provides step-by-step instructions for making your yard screech ready. You’ll learn how to build a nest box and install a simple nest cam that you can monitor from your cell phone to watch when owls move in, lay eggs, and hatch.
Foreword
This must-read for birders features a complete guide to attracting, understanding, and protecting owls.
