WYG Barn Owl Nest Box - Recycled Farm Plastic & FSC® Certified Owl Box for Protected Species

Barn owls need large, dry, undisturbed nesting spaces with clear access, good visibility, and room for growing young to exercise safely. This Barn Owl Nest Box has been developed to meet those needs in full, combining expert-led design with long-lasting, low-maintenance materials.

Designed in collaboration with owl experts, this advanced nest box is constructed almost entirely from 100% recycled, UV-stable plastic, with a sacrificial FSC-certified wooden floor that helps wick moisture away from the nest. The result is a robust, weather-resistant box that can be used either inside buildings such as barns or externally on trees or walls, depending on site conditions.

Thoughtful details throughout the design improve drainage, ventilation, weather protection, and safety - while providing multiple perching and exercise options for adult birds and their growing young.

Why It Matters

Barn owls are a Schedule 1 protected species in the UK and have suffered long-term declines due to loss of nesting sites, changes in land use, and building alterations.

Well-designed nest boxes placed in suitable locations can:

• replace lost traditional nesting sites

• support successful breeding

• reduce disturbance and risk to young owlets

• contribute meaningfully to local conservation efforts

This box is intended as a long-term installation, providing stability and continuity year after year.

Design & Welfare Features

• Gently curved, overlapping roof
  Helps shed rain and snow while improving insulation and internal dryness.

• Ventilation and concealed drainage
  Distributed throughout the box to reduce condensation and maintain a healthy internal environment.

• Sacrificial wooden floor
  FSC-certified OSB floor designed to absorb and wick moisture; replaceable every few years if required.

• Large front landing & exercise platform
  Provides space for adult birds to land and for young owlets to exercise safely before fledging.

• Fenced platform & wide canopy
  Adds protection at the entrance and reduces the risk of owlets falling prematurely.

• Multiple perching options
  Roof, platform, and side perches allow adults and young birds to move naturally around the box.

• Integrated side access hatch
  Designed for safe inspection and cleaning by licensed individuals, including access for ringing.

Materials & Longevity

• Main structure: UV-stable LDPE board made from 100% recycled waste plastic

• Floor: FSC-certified oriented strand board (OSB)

• Construction: Interlocking panel system with separate fixing brackets

• Strength: Tested to withstand loads far exceeding natural use

Lightweight for its size, yet extremely strong and built to last for many years outdoors.

Siting & Installation Guidance

Internal use (e.g. barns):

• Mount high up, ideally near the roof apex

• Ensure good ventilation to prevent overheating

• The entrance must be clearly visible to visiting owls

• Owls must have permanent access to the roof space

External use:

• Mount at least 4.5 metres high

• Choose a shaded location to reduce overheating

• Face away from prevailing wind if possible

• Ensure clear flight access and good visibility of the entrance

The box is supplied with a separate fixing bracket, allowing the bracket to be secured first, then the box safely hooked into place and stabilised.

🦉 Legal Protection - Please Read

Barn owls are legally protected.
An occupied nest box must not be disturbed during the breeding season except by licensed individuals.

Outside the breeding season, inspection does not require a licence, but disturbance should still be kept to an absolute minimum.

Joel says…

“Barn owls need space, stability, and peace. This box has clearly been designed with the birds in mind first - and when it’s sited well and left alone, it can make a real difference.”