We did look at the ledge during the day when we took this picture, but there is nothing above it except for the overhang. The only place they could be hanging out is right on the ledge. We've noticed a few scattered droppings on the floor of our porch that appear to have fallen off, but we've cleaned them up and there isn't any fresh droppings for several days and then they appear again. Whatever is hanging out, seems to come and go.

As best as I can see from the picture, it is most likely raccoon droppings. Deer scat, although similar looking, is pelletized whereas the picture above is small seeds which is indicative to raccoon scat. Also deer scat would not be in neat little piles, it would be more spread out. As coon scat dries, it breaks apart into neat little piles as in the picture. Here, the deer scat also has much larger pellets, about 1/2 inch in diameter or larger and the droppings are not that dark.

We had lots of barred owls at my last home -- I loved hearing them in the night. I never heard that particular sound but often heard them calling back and forth (check the "pair caterwauling" from your link) -- I always thought they sounded like monkeys! Here are a couple pics I got of them -- they are often out in the day so you might see them. Second one is a juvenile. ETA -- actually, that second owl might not be a barred owl, he might be an eastern screech owl. I was just noticing that his markings and beak color are different from a barred owl's. I took that picture on the Fourth of July when we were outside lighting small fireworks with our boys and I think we must have startled him! The first guy was just sitting there watching me mow the lawn for the longest time one day, it was funny. He let me get quite close.

Sorry Koni, but yes, raccoons really are that smart- and they have good memories and are trap-shy to boot. Not that they can't be trapped- just that it is difficult. The company might be able to remove the animal... but you still need to clean the area where they are defecating and possibly need to cover it. Otherwise, another raccoon might decide the stale smell means someone left, and they can move into the territory. It might happen anyway if you just have raccoons in the area.