Hey, instead of the hinge, why not two hooks made out of aluminum or steel that hooks under the front lip and still locks towards the back, this would make it secure but removable.
Last summer I witnessed a rogue loon attack a chick with its parents there, inflicting wounds that were ultimately fatal. It was very sad, so I know how it feels to witness something like that. Those chicks are really cute with those stripes. I assume those red-necked grebes were outside of New England right?
A week ago I was on the lake with strong wind and yes the lid worked preventing water from coming in as waves were over H10 kayak as I was heading toward the wind
One of my occasional little pleasures has been to "talk" to screech owls. Going out into the night and calling in one or more of these cute feather balls is pretty great. About twenty years ago I was at home on an early summer night when I heard a screech owl outside. I grabbed a flashlight and went out and stood on my front door stoop. i listened intently had heard it again. So, I began doing my screech owl calls and in a matter of about fifteen minutes, I was able to identify five owls scattered about the trees out in front of my house. It was, for this nature nerd, a grand event.
I have never seen a bird defending itself against peregrine falcon like that. Even much bigger red tailed hawk and bald eagle get hit and dominated by peregrine falcons but a small owl was much more difficult to bully. Owls are pound to pound stronger than eagles and hawks is what I have seen. Standing up against horde of crows, giving good fight to bigger hawks and eagles trying to hunt them,.
