Nest Box Successes at Rhug Estate

Whilst the weather was cold and wet through much of 2024 this did not seem to affect the numbers of nesting birds around the Rhug Estate, thanks to an extensive nest box scheme initiated by Lord Newborough in 2017.

A Growing Success Story

The initial scheme with 40 boxes was expanded to 58 in 2021 The data from monitoring over the last 4 years shows a steady increase in occupancy, driven strongly by the increased numbers of Pied Flycatchers, a hole-nesting migrant species which greatly benefits from available nesting places in the form of nest boxes. Ringing studies show that Pied Flycatchers have enormous fidelity to their birth place and it is very likely that this expansion in the population at Rhug has been due to returning birds which fledged there the previous season.

Behind The Scenes

This success has been largely due been thanks to the enthusiasm of Estate Administrator Janice Dale and her husband John who is the expert nest-box maker.

The nest-box scheme also includes two Barn Owl boxes, (courtesy of the Wales Raptor Study Group), one which is an ‘A-frame’ design, built from a kit, intended to be placed externally and the other was the more traditional design which is placed inside a building.

Although outside, the A-frame box very effectively protects the owls from weather with a well-designed entrance port and inspection doors. It was placed up in a tree at an appropriate height in an area where Barn Owls had been observed.

A Testament To Environmental Health

The placement of the box involved winching it up with ropes and screwing it in place. It was a two-man job (at least!) and was made possible with the help of David Pooler head keeper who has a keen interest in the wildlife around the estate along with Janice whose enthusiasm has also been instrumental in these projects.

Very pleasingly, this box was obviously received with approval from the owls and for the last three years they have been using it. This year there were three young in the nest when inspected (under licence).

We are hopeful the indoor box will also receive similar approval before too long.

This is yet another important initiative on the Rhug Estate, providing nesting opportunities for these wonderful birds which are, themselves, important indicators of the health of the environment.

Keith Offord
Ornithologist

All images © Keith Offord/Janice Dale