Like most animals that don't make their own nest holes but use naturally rotted or woodpecker-drilled cavities, eastern screech owls start early. The males try to tie down predator- and weather-proof sites ahead of competitors and usually patrol alternatives in case their first nests are disturbed or predated. Females lay eggs earlier in warmer weather, because they can afford to divert food energy from self-maintenance into egg-making; and I'll know about when, because average annual or winter temperatures are good predictors. This year I expect the first egg on March 9 and am checking all nest boxes to be certain they are ready.

Three with whitewash on the outside and cleaned of leaves are sure signs of European starlings, and five with fresh cedar-bark nests, including one with the fox squirrel in it, are additional competition. Some owls will wait for the squirrels to vacate boxes in April, but they have a tougher time with starlings, who don't lay eggs until then.

Which bird winds up nesting successfully is an even proposition, for the much smaller starlings are feisty, persistent, and cooperative, despite the threat of being eaten by the owls. Starlings are new actors in new scenes called suburbia, and the owls don't understand all their lines.