WB3: Large wildlife box

How much you’llwill be paid paid

£38.28 per box.

HowWhere thisto itemuse benefitsthis the environmentitem

InstallingAvailable afor largeCountryside wildlifeStewardship boxMid providesTier, artificialHigher nestingTier and roostingCapital sitesGrants

In forMid largeTier birds,it incan particularonly barnbe owlsused andwith kestrels.

Wherewith youoptions canHS1 useand this item 

HS8

YouFor canHigher useTier thisand itemCapital toGrants provideit ais wildlife box either:available:

• for the target species barn owls or kestrels
• for other(these targetare species with the support‘target ofspecies’), aunless Naturalthere Englandis orsupport from the RoyalRSPB Societyor fora ProtectionNatural ofEngland Birdsbird (RSPB)specialist adviserfor another species
• wherewhen therethe isother summeryear-round requirements (summer and winter foraging habitathabitat) available all year for the target species are being met on orthe nearholding youror landnearby

WhatHow youthis mustitem dowill tobenefit usethe this itemenvironment

YouThis must:item provides artificial nesting and roosting sites for large birds, in particular barn owls and kestrels.

• place

  Requirements

  Each each box should be sited in an appropriate location

• clean outand thecleaned boxesout in the autumn,autumn unless(October it’sand beingNovember), usedunless by hibernating or roosting bats

Evidence youare mustusing keep 

Youit. Each box must keepbe photographsmaintained ofin thegood completedcondition, workwith andany providedamage themor withlosses yourmade claim.good during the agreement term.

Keeping records

YouAgreement mustholders alsowill need to keep the following records and providesupply them on request:

• any consents or permissions connected with the work
• receipted invoicesinvoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of the proposed site for eachthe wildlife box
• athe recorddate ofthat the datenest youboxes cleanare cleaned out the boxes (unless they’re used by bats or invertebrates)

ReadPlease see the record keeping and siteinspection visit requirements as set out in the Agreementrelevant holder’sMid guide:Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants,Grants Higherguidance Tierfor capitalmore grantsdetail. andYou Protectioncan find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and Infrastructureimprove grantsthe land you manage.

Agreement forholders morewill information.need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

• photographs of the completed work

Advice toand helpsuggestions youfor usehow to carry out this item

The following advicesection maygives helpadvice youon tocarrying useout this item,item successfully but youdoes do not haveform topart followof itthe torequirements getfor paid.this It’sitem.

Each notbox partmust ofbe thismaintained item’sin requirements.   

Locatinggood boxescondition, forwith differentany speciesdamage or losses made good during the agreement term.

Location

LargeThis wildlifeitem boxes can be used anywhere on yourthe holding. YouIdeally canit useshould thembe used with other habitat managementoptions actions such as moorland, rough grassland, boundary field margins.margins, You can also use on in-field or boundary treestrees, or on historic buildings.

Keep boxesthe box in theirits original location if they’reit is being used. If theyit areis not being used after year 3, ask Natural England for relocation advice.

Keep boxes strapped to trees with wire and hose or rubber to prevent tree damage.    

Constructing the boxConstruction

The Barn Owl Trust has information on the best locations and how to construct a box (kestrel boxes generally follow similar construction guidance). The RSPB also has information on barn owl and kestrel boxes.

The box should be at least 1km away from any motorway, dual carriageway or similar major road.

Entrance holesIt should be:have entrance holes:

• at least 100100mm millimetresdiameter (mm)or diameter, 100mm by between100mm square
• that are, ideally, 100mm andby 130mm square
• upand toare at most 150mm by 150mm for(up owls
• up to 210mm by 300mm for kestrelskestrels)

EachIt box should also:

• have a nest chamber floor area of at least 0.16 square metres (that is, sides at least 4040cm centimetres (cm) x 40cm), betweenideally 0.2 to 0.4 square metres (m²)
• havebe at least 46cm betweenfrom the bottom of the entrance hole andto the nest for(but owls
• haveonly at least 10cm between the bottom of the entrance hole and the nest for kestrelskestrels)
• have an external platform below the entrance hole,hole or a perch with enough room for an entire brood of owlets or young kestrels to exercise and await food deliveries
• be easy to clean
• have wire straps with hose, nylon bolts or aluminium nails to secure the box to the tree or building to prevent damage
• have its tree fixings adjusted each year,year so they do not cut into the growing tree or cause the box to ‘explode’ off the bolts
• be sturdy yet light enough to allow safe erection using basic equipment
• be covered with thick roofing felt if outside

Biodiversity

This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.