Habitat Supplies

Native plants are just one part of a healthy backyard ecosystem. Habitat features like nesting boxes, pollinator habitat, and shelter areas can help support birds, pollinators, and beneficial wildlife throughout the year.

Now Available – Owl, Songbird, and Bat Nesting Boxes

Locally handcrafted in Grafton using sustainably sourced materials and designed to support healthy backyard habitat. To order, please email us at hello@thelocalmeadow.com.

Barred Owl Nesting Box

Handcrafted in Grafton using local, exterior-grade red oak hardwood. Designed using wildlife habitat recommendations.

  • Hinged roof
  • Reinforced corners
  • All hanging hardware included
  • Free local delivery
  • Built to last for many years

$295

Bluebird Nesting Box

Log cabin style – perfect size for bluebirds!

  • Hinged opening for clean-out
  • Free local delivery
  • Built to last for many years
  • Locally handcrafted in Grafton

$59

NEW! Bat Houses!
  • Large, four-chamber bat house
  • Supports maternity colonies
  • 31″ tall and 20″ wide
  • Roughened interior for climbing
  • Ventilation slots
  • Free local delivery and guidance on installation
  • Thick, exterior-grade wood
  • Durable and weather-resistant; built to last for many years
  • See placement guidelines, below

$300

Nest Box Placement

The following recommendations are provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

Barred Owl:

  • Ideal height: 12 to 15 feet in a live tree or on a post
  • Can be facing any direction.
  • Mount so that no branches or leaves obscure the entrance hole.
  • Locate within 200 feet of water, if possible.
  • Place 3–4″ of wood chips in bottom of box.

Bluebird:

  • Bluebirds prefer open habitat: grassy field/yard or open woodland.
  • Mount on a pole or fence, away from trees.
  • Face entrance hole ideally to the east and towards open habitat.
  • To decrease competition from tree swallows, you can pair nest boxes about 15–20′ apart, with pairs of houses about 300′ from each other.
  • Clean out old nests as soon as a brood fledges so that the nest box can be used for a second nest attempt.

Bat House Placement

The following recommendations are provided by Rutgers University, MA Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation guidelines.

  • Ideal height: At least 12′ off the ground – 15′ to 20′ is ideal
  • Face south/southeast – needs 6-8 hours of sun per day
  • Allow 20′ of clearance all around for bats to swoop in from the bottom
  • Placement on the side of a structure is recommended for temperature regulation and due to the size/weight of the bat house. Pole installation is possible but will require a heavy-duty pole (not included).
  • Choose an area near water, if possible.

Optional Add-ons

Owl box installation – please contact us for availability.

Bluebird box – steel pole and mounting hardware add-on – $39

Please feel free to contact us for free mounting and installation advice.