Mr. R was totally shocked when he saw an Owl with the wind span about 4 ft flew right above us heading towards the Entrance hole. I was trying to grab my camera but the Owl was faster within spilt second the Owl was out of the Bh.
Mr.R was still shaking and traumatized. He thought it was something paranormal as he had felt the wind caused by the wings first. Then as he turns his head the Owl Just glided thru in front of us while we were making our way to the top floor.
The last visit I had anticipated this, but there were no sign of Owl. My guts feeling and experience tell me that they are here. The birds shit spots haven’t increased, there were many birds playing every day many had entered the Bh. The Micro condition is good, the temperature is 28C even the weather was extremely hot caused by the Heat wave.
The ground floor and the first floor of this 3 storeyBh have few patches of birds’ shits. It shows that birds could fly to the ground floor without any difficulty. The strange thing was we found no birds shits on the second floor (top floor).
Because of this, two weeks ago I had instructed my workers to install wire spikes on all places where Owls often perch (all the second Entrance holes to the all nesting areas).
Thru my experience Owls often hunt their preys on the top (highest) floor. They rarely fly to the ground floor. The top floor is where the birds enter and exit so this is the best place to ambush. No birds shit spots sign on the top floor supported my findings. The Owl might have stayed on the top floor.
With the big Owl flying right in front of us justified everything, so the main problem is Owl. This is what preventing the birds from staying. A small entrance hole or one with iron bars (grill) would have done the job preventing Owls from entering the Bh but it will also affect young birds when maneuvering to enter the Entrance hole.
It is common to have Predator’ problem with Standalone at Plantation area that is why many still prefer to build Bh in Town area. Besides Owl other Predators like Musang, Eagle, Rats, Snake, Gecko, etc are common too. We have to solve all these problems and every each with different solutions.
Last resort is to install Iron grill at the Entrance hole. Let me try to trap the Owl first by using the Owl Hooks. I wouldn't want to do this but the owner insisted.
( Owl Vomit. If you see this in Bh that means Owl had eaten Swiftlets)
This time I knew the Owl had stayed in the Bh for quite a while. I am sure he had eaten some of the Swiftlets that have entered the Bh. I found an Owl Vomit (pellet) which is black color below the Entrance Hole.
The Pellet usually consists of things that have not been digested like bones of previous prey. So, to get rid of them, the undigested 'stuff' kind of squishes together to form a ball-like figure. The Owl upchuck the pellet by spiting it out. By examining the Pellet one could tell what the Owl had eaten.
From a closer look, the black colored Pellet with feathers strongly indicated the Owl had eaten Swiftlets. The Owl has been in the Bh for long enough to vomit the Pellet. He must have taken this Bh as his home.
( Spikes at the Second Entrance Hole)
Prior to this my contractor had installed a light bulb at the Entrance hole without consulting me. I had always opposed to this idea. Owl could adapt to the light of the Entrance Hole in just couple of days, after that they are not afraid of the light anymore.
Light that is switched on during the night is a threat to the Bh, it attracts insects. Bat and other flying mammals hunt insects here due to the large number of insect congregate during the night. This attracts the Owl which in turns hunts for the flying mammals. The Entrance Hole with light will become a hunting ground for all Predators.
( Humidity 78% & Temperature 28C at 4pm on a very very hot day. Outside Temperature 37C)
Later that day I called a friend who is from here to find out more about Owl attack in this area. He has a Bh here, a 3 storey Standalone. He is facing the same problem. According to him this area is an Owl heaven. He said “you are more likely to see Owls than dog and cat”.
He said some Bhs even found Owl nests in them. That is absolutely crazy. Well no matter what it is I have to solve this Owl problem. I shall keep you all up dated with how to get rid of the Owl.
Good Swiftlet Farming All!
