Redfox8

Great shots, I've tried photographing dragonflies in flight (some years ago now) so know how difficult it is! Fantastic creatures too, as you say.

Fantastic, glad you caught it, I'd be peeved if I went away for the weekend and missed something like that!

Out of these I'd say pear is most likely, possibly a crab apple or plum also so not narrowing it down much! It's 100% not an Acer at least!

That's the fruit developing post-flowering, not a budding flower btw, so go back to see how it develops and you should get a pretty good id soon. I don't think plum fruits would look like that and crab apples aren't typically so long stalked and more often in bunches, but I wouldn't expect any plum/pear/apple to be so long stalked eitger, so perhaps a variety or species I'm not familiar with! Don't know anything about Brazilian plum or mountain date though.

Indeed I do every now and then!

Right there with you! I was kinda hoping that I could say I'd not heard any of those songs...so close!

I really don't know what you're all getting into a tizz about?! Grows just fine for me ;)

I can tell you that 30cm of woodchip will do sod all to stop it. My mint grows under 50cm of concrete. It takes a couple of years to get there, but it does!

I'm a consultant ecologist by profession so it will mostly be put to use for work (planning/renovations/new builds). It's another string to my bow of knowledge!

The course is very good, what I've done so far, & is designed to cover pretty much everything Barn owl! I have a great big book to go with it too!

Thanks & you're welcome! Sounds like you've done some good research already. Hope you can attract some owls with whatever option you choose.

The pole mounted boxes are 100% suitable. Can't say if that brand is good or not though.

What they primarily require is a dry roost as wet wings are very bad for silent forging. They tolerate human activity, including roosts in houses, so no need to exclude buildings as an option. Just keep them away from public roads unless very rural!

For nesting, a minimum 70x70cm floor space which chicks can't fall out from is ideal - the floor can be well over 1m lower from the entrance so no max wall height. Entrances can be as small as 7x7cm, but wider better.

Re material, any will do short term, but long life is obviously ideal, especially as they have high fidelity to roosts, and old roosts will be favoured by new individuals even if unrelated to the last inhabitants. Marine ply would probably be easiest for a self a build - cedar is great but heavier. Remember you'll need to lift the box up high and mount it!

(I'm currently studying the UK bat owl trust course BTW!)

How's it looking now? Got an ID yet?!

Ned's dead baby, Ned's dead.