Having predatory birds on the farm greatly benefits us, keeps away birds that would otherwise feed on all the tasty fruits found here. Also the rabbits, rodents and other prey that Hawks, Kestrels, Ospreys and Falcons like also tend to leave the area. Happens to be mostly things that eat the food in my gardens so I think I am okay with that.
Now we are in the autumn it is not the time of year Hawks tend to look for nests, but hopefully next spring we will see if any birds like this home. Hawks tend to like open perches, and do not like traditional bird houses. Though Kestrels do and I have another home ready to set up across the farm, far far away from this one to keep any territory issues at bay hopefully.
First step was to drill a large hole to place a 6x6 post in. We will add concrete as well.
The hole is about as wide as a 5 gallon paint bucket and around three feet deep. Using a twenty five foot pole we need to place it pretty deep. Will be adding side braces as well waiting for it to dry.
There were some scrub trees that we needed to remove, working in the area would be hard with them there.. Just some pines, we were going to cut them down anyways so good time to do it is now. I hooked up a tow strap and dragged the larger ones out of the way.
The UTV made easy work dragging them, placed them out of the way and in a good place to cut them up for fire wood.
Using a lashing it was pretty easy to get the strap untied from the tree. Our watering tanks can be seen in the back of the bed of the UTV. The big blue one has a spout on the bottom and makes its easy to bring water to pour concrete.
Bringing over the huge 6x6 post, the forks on the skid steer carry it over.
The large timber weighs a few hundred pounds so we are glad to have power equipment to move this stuff around. The forks have really been helpful here on the farm, using them to move pallets and things like this is quite nice.
We attach the hawk platform while it is on the ground, otherwise good luck building it up there.. lol
It is made with 2x4's and some 2x6's.
Using wood screws its all held together and feels quite strong.
With it all assembled its time to hoist it up.
Using the forks again on the skid steer we nudge the end in the hole and then slowly tilt it up.
We added two large 2x4 beams to help hold it while it dried, we will remove them in a few days.
Its ready! Going to keep an eye on what visits it, once I start seeing nesting material added I will know something is living there.
Took around 4 bags of concrete, I think the 6x6 should hold up to the strong winds in the area. I was thinking about using a 4x4 post but figured it may sway a bit. So we went with the much larger 6x6 for this reason.
https://70birds.com/birdhouses/owl-hawk-osprey-platform/
Above is the guide I used to make the platform
So whats next?:
Wait for early spring when birds start looking to make homes. Hopefully a hawk will move in and keep the other birds at bay. Maybe some other bird like an Owl or Osprey may live there instead.. hard to say but build it and they will come, so to say.