🚀 go-pugleaf

I'm hoping to attract Eastern Screech Owls to my yard and need some
assistance in planning. Let me give some background:

I live in a primarily agricultural area. My yard is somewhat of an oasis.
Within 1/2 mile of me there are very few mature trees. On my 3 acres,
however, I have several mature trees, bushes and about 1/2 acre set aside
that I let overgrow with weeds and native grasses.

The trees on my property include 14 large white pines, 4 large sweet gums, 6
large pin oaks, 3 mature walnut, 1 mature apple, several large pussy
willows, a smaller elm and several other smaller trees.

I need to know the following:

1)    Is my yard a candidate for screech owls? As way of background, the
owls nest about 1/2 mile from my house in great numbers along a small river
(creek) that is lined with woods. I've also had Great-horned, Barred,
Screech and Saw-whet Owls in my yard as visitors.

2)    I could get either a traditional rectangular, wooden box or a PVC nest
box. The PVC manufacturer swears by them (afterall, cavity nesters are
accustomed to nesting in round trees, aren't they). Which is better?

3)    The trees are all very full of branches and leaves (very healthy).
Should I anticipate trimming branches and leaves to expose the box on the
trunk?

4)    Would mounting the box on a pole be an alternative?

5)    If I mount it at 30', as most recommend, won't it be difficult to
eradicate invading house sparrows and starlings that attempt to use the box
for nesting?

6)    Is it important to put nesting material in the box?

7)    What landscape considerations should I take into account? Will the
owls prefer anything in particular in the area surrounding their box?

Thanks for any help!

Peter Weber
http://www2.famvid.com/wings