From: sals@coyote.rain.org (Sal Schettino)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Re: Observations on ground squirrels
Date: 10 Nov 1994 14:40:08 -0800

Raptors are birds of prey that are greatly benefical in the control of
rodents.  A small one-time investment in artificial perches can help
increase their presence in your area, reducing the need for other
methods of pest control.

Artificial perches are readly accepted by many residents raptors,
including American kestrels, barn owls, great horned owls, burrowing
owls, short-eared owls, redtail and red-shouldered hawks and
white-tailed kites.

Artifical perches are easy to build.  The ideal material is 3/4
galvanized steel pipe 18' long. Set the pipe about 3 feet deep in the
ground with an 18' 2" x 2" rounded edge block of pine or redwood as
the perch.  Or, you can weld a 1 1/2 to 2" x 18" peace of galvanized
steel pipe across the top of the vertical support.

Remember to place the perch running east-west longways.  All perches
should be placed with their horizontal axis pointing east-west to
avoid instability due to wind direction and changing visibilty due to
sun and moonlight.

Check out my home page for more info. http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html

Sal Schettino,Organic Farmer,don't panic eat organic,sals@rain.org
or check out my homepage:            http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html