306: Using Barn Owls for Gopher and Rodent Control in Vineyards

Barn owls are natural predators of gophers, voles, and mice, three of the most common vertebrate pests in vineyards. Matt Johnson, Professor in the Department of Wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt University, studies how farms and wildlife can mutually benefit each other. Matt shares practical guidance on barn owl nest box design, placement, and maintenance, and explains how vineyard landscapes and surrounding habitat influence owl occupancy.  

Resources:  

• 272: 30 Gophers a Night: Why Barn Owls Belong in Your Vineyard 
• Barn Owl Hunting Animation – Yarrow from the Lodi Wine Visitor Center 
• Barn Owl Nest Box Placement and Maintenance 
• Barn Owl Nest Box Plans 
• Cal Poly Humboldt Barn Owls 
• Probability of Nest Box Occupancy by Barn Owls Map 

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