Good news, because it will be 3 or 4 years since I built a screechowl house and put it up. Planned, but unfortunate, I put wire cloth around entrance so the ubiquitous grey squirrels would not make the entrance bigger, for their use. I also edged and cornered the house with aluminum strips, knowing how destructive they are. I was wondering if this might make the house unacceptable. It is of native white cedar, of exacting size and location, so I still have hopes. Post pictures if you succeed.

Here he is!
{{gwi:1344512}}

bogturtle-I don't think your alterations would make the box unacceptable. I did read to put a baffle 3' below the box to keep predators out. It's important to remove the baffle prior to the nestlings possibly falling out of the nest or they'd be unable to climb back up the tree. I was just about to take this box down and put a new one up in a different tree, higher, when I noticed the owl!

Did you have to do anything to keep the squirrels out?

The squirrels have taken over my owl box and they chewed Hole larger.... grumble, grumble.

I figure its just a squirrel box now....

Is there any hope it will ever be an owl box, now that hole is bigger and the squirrels have taken over?

great pic, btw!

Thanks joepyeweed! As far as the entrance hole being enlarged, I think that's a problem in terms of predators entering the box. I'm not certain, but it's my guess based on the premise there's a recommended entrance hole size to being with. I didn't do anything to keep squirrels out. Both squirrels and birds had put quite a bit of nesting material in the box, which we cleaned out after the owl exited one night. Besides Chris' Eastern Screech owl web site, the best info. I've gotten on E S owls has been from Frederick R. Gelbach's book, The Eastern Screech Owl.

Here is a link that might be useful: owl box info.

That is such a great picture. Hurray for you!