Category Archives: Raptor Housing

Mews information, articles, and progress will be listed here.

Spring Mews Update

Spring Mews Update

 

The Mews got  some much needed attention this spring with some stain on the roof and some additional trim completion. A new coat of stain on the roof shingles really brings out the color contrast between the siding and the roof.  I also finished up some additional siding trim and I was able to get most of the door covered on the back side.  With some new black paint on the bars and some fresh screening, the mews is ready once again for it’s new resident, “Hunter.”

Mews Perch Replacement

Mews Perch Replacement

With a moulting raptor bouncing around the mews, the perches get some heavy abuse.  Since Trasher has been enjoying her stay in the Hawk Mews, she’s been living up to her name, trashing the place about once a week.   The 1/2″ perches that were originally installed into the perches were not sufficient to take her high levels of activity.  Thus, the 1/2″ perches took quite a beating and required fixing, gluing or replacement about once a week.  So it came to pass that it was necessary to rework the perches with a more heavy and robust construction.

 

I used 3/4″ PVC this time and wrapped it with rubber pipe insulation instead of foam.  This gave the perch a little more springy feeling and absorbs much of the impact of the raptor landing and jumping around the mews.  The hockey tape keeps the rubber in place and keeps them relatively clean.  So far, the past two weeks have held up to Trasher’s activity and they are still holding strong.

Materials

3/4″ PVC

3/4″ 45 degree elbows

3/4″ mounting plates / flange

3/4″ Male Adapter

PVC Glue

Rubber Pipe Insulation

Hockey Tape

* old bicycle tires work *GREAT* as perch wrapping, so does neoprene.

Mews Phase V: Complete

Mews Phase V: Complete

Another weekend of mews construction passes and the results are terrific!  This was the last major effort in getting it completed: attaching the siding to the mews and finishing the look.  The vinyl siding completes the cedar shake look, and protects the wood panels underneath. Another great bonus is that the siding requires no maintenance: no painting or anything.  Perhaps I’ll power-spray it once a year to knock the dirt off, but it’s now maintenance free.  Except of course, for the inside.  😉

Big thanks to my wife for helping out with the siding installation and finishing tips.  Thanks, honey!

Mews: Phase V

Mews: Phase V

Another step towards mews completion was finished this weekend: Cedar Shingles on the roof.  After about 6 hours of up-and-down-and-up the ladder, I nailed all the shingles to the roof, thus completing the authentic look of the roof line.

This is also the first picture where the mews has been occupied with the resident hawk!  Tahoe has taken to her accommodations very well and is enjoying the hospitality!

Mews: Phase IV

Mews: Phase IV

Another weekend of great work-progress was made on the mews this week.   With two days of sweat, focus, and effort, the roof, flashing, and copula were cut and assembled.  The picture above shows the slanted, octagonal roof to match the sides of the mews, with an ornately decorated copula on the top. All that you see was designed by my lovely wife and she assembled the copula and attached the copper also.  The sides of the mews are now ready for siding and the roof is now ready for cedar-shake shingles.

On a side note, the mews had it’s first resident for a week.  We were hawk-sitting “Buster”, a mild mannered Harris Hawk while the owner was on Vacation.  Buster enjoyed his vacation and lodging for the week,  as he rated the mews a 5-star accommodation!