What might this have been?

Einhard

Was in my local park today. It's managed by the OPW and there's a good few bird boxes and feeders dotted around the place. On two quite tall trees, I saw these very large box-like constructions. They looked like small sheds attached to the trees, and there seemed to be a heavy duty chain attacked to them. On the part facing from the tree, there seemed to be a rectangular annex running along the top of the box. I would have taken a pic but didn't have a camera. Anyone have any ideas what they might be?

swifts need our help!

Barn owl boxes?

Mark

Einhard

Hmmm I just had a search for such boxes on google images and none are similar to the ones I saw today. For one, there doesn't seem to be an obvious entrance, unless the rectangular annex at the top is some form of tunnel. I'll have a closer look tomorrow and bring a camera.

wildlifeboy

Bat boxes

Mickeroo

Yeah sound like Bat boxes to me too.

swifts need our help!

but a bat box doesnt suit the description

"very large box-like constructions. They looked like small sheds attached to the trees"

Mickeroo

Its the lack of an obvious entrance that made me think bat box.

Einhard

Hmmm might have been a bat box. It looks something like the picture you posted, but a lot bigger. I've googled batboxes and they all seem relatively small. I'll get a photo the next time I'm down or ask a warden.

Einhard

The mystery has been solved. Was down in the park today and they have signs up explaining different aspects of the place. The shed-like boxes are barn owl boxes. We must have pretty massive owls down these parts!!:D

Desmo

Einhard wrote: »

The mystery has been solved. Was down in the park today and they have signs up explaining different aspects of the place. The shed-like boxes are barn owl boxes. We must have pretty massive owls down these parts!!:D

Very cool of hem to put those up. Which park?
I have seen very big nest boxes in the Phoenix Park which might be for Long Eared Owls but not sure.

Einhard

Desmo wrote: »

Very cool of hem to put those up. Which park?
I have seen very big nest boxes in the Phoenix Park which might be for Long Eared Owls but not sure.

Kilkenny Castle park. Think they only put the signs up for Heritage Week though.