At long last, my mews [or hawk house as my sponsor refers to them] is nearly complete. I have to put up hardware cloth across the back roof overhang and screen the windows. My sponsor is happy with how it's come along. The chain-link I plan to replace with welded 2x3" fencing, but what I have here was mostly a donation. The weathering is 8x10x6, and will be closed in with aviary netting. The whole facility cost about $500 to build. The south side [side with door] is 9' high and it slopes back to 8'. The mews was built with some portability in mind, and the walls come down as 8x8 sections and can be moved. Windows are barred 3" on center and framed with 1"x6".. large windows are 3x4 feet, smaller window is 2x3 feet. To cover them up, I'm making some oilskin [waxed duckcloth] tarps/curtains and should have those completed by the end of the week.
The door is about 10" off the ground to help with snow clearance.
The east-side wall is just like this one, but has the door to the weathering yard on it.
This is the interior, 7/8" OSB. It's very smooth and there's nothing to get caught on. I have room, too, to put up thin showerboard to make cleaning easier down the road, too. The floor is 4" of peagravel over chicken wire. I don't have any photos of my perch yet as it's still at the shop being finished, but it's sort-of along the lines of a Meng perch.
Update: All the windows are screened and the aviary netting is up, so it's good to go.
I will be calling the local DEC tomorrow to set up an appointment... I hope to be able to get inspected soon so I can get the paperwork in to trap this year. I have permission at a few different RT hangouts to do so, it's just a matter of getting all the paperwork in.
'09- Sept '11 Éowyn - F AK
1 HOSP
1 Golf Ball
many grasshoppers!
It's not... There's RTs all over the place, and we have the paperwork submitted, but my sponsor and I are waiting on the State for approval and all that jazz.
'09- Sept '11 Éowyn - F AK
1 HOSP
1 Golf Ball
many grasshoppers!
Well, today the permits came through and I now have capture authorization! My sponsor and I plan to go trapping next weekend, right at the tail-end of the season
'09- Sept '11 Éowyn - F AK
1 HOSP
1 Golf Ball
many grasshoppers!