The 1st Randburg Cubs built 13 owl boxes that will be installed around Randburg to provide nesting sites for barn owls.
It is hoped that this will result in an increase in the number of barn owls which will keep the rat and mice population down.
Most of the boxes will be installed in Ferndale residents’ gardens.
1st Randburg Cubs Pack Scout Sharon Venn said the Cubs group, which consists of children between five and 18 years old, wanted to assist nature and residents.
She said owl boxes did both as they helped increase the owl population, which then helped people by decreasing the rat and mice populations.
Maintenance of the boxes will be the joint responsibility of residents and 1st Randburg Scouts and Cubs.
Venn said similar projects have proved successful in Delta Park and many farmers were being encouraged to use owls as a natural pest control.
She added that when owls moved into an area they might kill a few birds, though not too many because owls sleep during the day and birds sleep at night, and owls have small territories.
Paul Hardingham, committee member of President Ridge Bird Sanctuary said, “Unless the boxes are made correctly the owls will not come. However, there is a chance owls won’t come anyway and sometimes owls don’t even need boxes.”
Geoff Lockwood, resident manager of the Delta Environmental Centre, said it was likely barn owls would nest in boxes made for them.
Details: 1st Randburg Cubs Pack Scout Sharon Venn 083 715 7482.
