Nature Done Wright

I cleaned out the screech-owl nesting box the other day in hopes that we might get another tenant this winter.

  I got rid of the old chips and the squirrel nesting material (below), which was twine and other soft elongated strands from dried plants.

   Then I propped open the door to air out the box.

  Finally, I added new chips. The camera still works. We are ready to go.

  All we need is an owl.

  We got our first screech owl three years ago this Sunday. He protected his turf all winter and stayed through the spring — and nested in the box with his mate.

   Two years ago we put up two boxes, and a different male moved in in mid-November (we think).  He protected both boxes all winter as well, and a mate showed up in the spring before vanishing in early May.

  Last year we installed the videocamera, and Ace moved in the day after Thanksgiving and stayed until June.

  Since these owls tend to return to the same box, we are optimistic again. It just might be a while yet before anybody moves in again.