Starlings

moneytalks · 8 June 2005 at 4:24PM

Does anyone know what Starlings do not like the smell of,I have them nesting in my roof and cannot get rid of them.

spendaholic · 8 June 2005 at 4:47PM

Unfortunately, it's illegal to disturb a nest that's in use, although it would require one of your neighbours - or someone - to report you in order for the police to find out about it.

Curry_Queen · 8 June 2005 at 5:09PM

Starling nests can be removed, and access points blocked up, but only if you can prove they pose a health risk, and it must be done after breeding season and all the fledglings have flown the nest.

The_Biff · 8 June 2005 at 7:32PM

We have starlings every year, in the same nest. It's a great feeling & I think it's a sign of good luck. Your house is big enough for you & the starlings.

Trow · 8 June 2005 at 7:54PM

Oh, interesting CQ - does the same law apply to all birds? What about disturbing nests outside because the birds could potentially be a hazard?

Trow · 8 June 2005 at 8:01PM

I have answered my own question by referring to the RSPB website - sadly in this case it is allowed.

Oh well.

spendaholic · 8 June 2005 at 8:04PM

So long as it's done after the nest has emptied, it's not so bad is it Trow?

I'm all for moving nests for the birds' safety, but that can be dodgy if there are eggs or chicks and the parents dessert. But our local garden centre had to tie off some quite mature shrubs because a blackbird family had moved in. They couldn't/wouldn't sell the plants, couldn't/wouldn't move them, the plants had grown a good 2 feet, and Mrs Black was sat quite happily upon her brood.

Curry_Queen · 8 June 2005 at 8:14PM

Trow wrote:

Oh, interesting CQ - does the same law apply to all birds?

From what I remember only starlings, sparrows and pigeons (not wood pigeons, but the common town variety) can be moved if they pose a health hazard where they are, subject to the breeding times I mentioned above, and all other species are protected by law.

Curry_Queen · 8 June 2005 at 8:20PM

spendaholic wrote:

I'm all for moving nests for the birds' safety, but that can be dodgy if there are eggs or chicks and the parents dessert.

The only way that would happen is if they posed a major health risk where they were situated, otherwise nests with eggs/chicks are left completely alone for the reasons you've already stated, and then only a couple of species can legally be moved anyway, as I mentioned earlier.

But our local garden centre had to tie off some quite mature shrubs because a blackbird family had moved in. They couldn't/wouldn't sell the plants, couldn't/wouldn't move them, the plants had grown a good 2 feet, and Mrs Black was sat quite happily upon her brood.

That's good to hear!

Blackbirds are one of the protected species so they'd have been breaking the law if they'd moved them

Curry_Queen · 8 June 2005 at 8:28PM

moneytalks wrote:

Does anyone know what Starlings do not like the smell of,I have them nesting in my roof and cannot get rid of them.

Would you be able to provide alternative nesting boxes for next season to discourage them from going back in your roof? You could safely remove their current nests during winter and block any entrances to deter them. There's a BBC website here with some information on building and siting nest boxes if it's any help to you

Trow · 8 June 2005 at 9:51PM

The nests I was talking about were near an airport, so apparantly they can get rid of nests while in use - I think its awful as there was one particular bird obviously looking for its babies (hatched or not, don't know)

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Starlings

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free