Owl / Crow Guard

Instruction Sheet

This guard is constructed with 2"x4" - 14 gauge welded galvanized wire mesh fencing. The wire is oriented with the 2" slots running horizontally for easy access by the Martins. This feature also makes it easier for Martins to enter while carrying nesting material to the house. The dimensions stated in the diagram are specific to the Trio " M-12K and TG-12 houses but can be altered or shimmed to fit other rectangular or square shaped houses.

Step one (Cut out)

Cut out the side and door panels as shown in the diagram. Two side and two door panels are required to form one house guard. File smooth all sharp edges. For side panels cut six 2 inch wide squares and six 4 inch wide squares. For door panels cut ten 2" wide squares and five 4" wide squares. Cut out side panels will measure 12’’x24’’ and 20’’x20" for door panels

Step two (forming the door)

Using the edge of a table, bend two squares wide (4inches wide) of the door panel over at the top and bottom to a 90-degree angle to the front of the door. This guard extends out 2 inches past the porches for maximum (6 inches from guard door to cavity entrance) depth protection. The bent over portions of the door protects at the top and bottom of the house and ads strength and rigidity to the door.

Step three (hinges)

Buy from any hardware store one 3/8" outside diameter screen door spring. Place one end of the spring securely in a vise and stretch until you have approximately 3/8" between the spirals of the spring. Cut the spring to a length of 12 inches. Decide if the door will open from left to right or right to left and then placed the side and door panel together where it will hinge. Screw the spring down this corner to form the hinge. Make sure that the edge wire of both the side and door panels are inside the coils of the spring. The hinge works on the same principal as the spiral bound notebooks.

Step four (attach the guards)

Attach the guards to the house one side at a time to the side perch/guard rails using either Ty-Rap cable ties or small hose clamps. Turn the hose clamp screw or cables tie lock to the outside of the house so that they do not interfere with the house doors when opened for nest checks. Center the guards and tighten the clamps or ties. Bend top of guard upward to approximately 15 degrees or just under roof overhang.

Step five (door locks)

Simply tie the doors shut, by using four Ty- Rap cable ties. The ties are strong, but can easily be cut off and replaced for nest checks. A bundle of 100 ties (use the black UV protected ties) cost approximately $8 and can be found at almost any hardware or electrical supply store.

Optional spring lock

A ½" outside diameter screen door spring can be modified and used as a locking device. To do this simply secure one end of the spring in a vice and stretch until the spirals are approximately 3/4" apart. Next, bend and shape a handle as shown in the diagram. Cut the spring to a length of 12 inches and then cork screw it down the side of the guard where the door and the side panel meet. The end of the spring opposite to the handle should be bent slightly outward. The bent end makes it easier to screw around the mating edges of the side and door edges. For nest checks, just unscrew the spring and replace when finished.

Materials                                 Tools:

1-48"x48" piece of 2"x4" wire fence                                      Wire cutting pliers
1-3/8" Outside diameter screen door s                                 File
1-1/2" Outside diameter screen door s                                 Vise & Vise grip pliers
Hose clamps and or cable ties                                               Tape measure
Needle nose pliers, Work Table, Screw Driver, Gloves

Designs by Karl Pesson    (pesson@purplemartins.com)

Drawings by: Walt Lutz   (wlutz@netcomsol.com)