Blackbird nesting in behind Fascia

danm

Wouldn't be a problem except it is right above the bedroom window and we are awoken each weekend by scuffling and scratching noises.

Was thinking of calling the RSPB and seeing if they would be willing to deal with it (perhaps for a donation). If there is a nest i would know how to handle it or re-site it so not sure what to do

How easy it is to remove and replace the Fasica?

Anyone had a similar problem?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I don't think the Rspb or Rspca would touch the bird or try to re site the nest.Blackbirds will leave the nest and abandon any eggs or chicks if you tamper with them.Sorry I can't be more help.You could ring them and ask them though it would'nt harm.

MickMack

Do you know how or where they are getting in behind your facia?

I think once a bird has established a nest you have to be careful how you deal with it, if they are there already and have eggs or young then i would say that your best to try and put up with it until they are ready to leave. Once they have left the nest then you should be free to sort out the problem of blocking them from getting in behind your facia.

Are the eaves of your roof open so that birds are able to get up in under (behind) the facia board. If so you can get mesh that fits along the eaves behind the facia to block off this opening but still allows ventilation into the roof.

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsessionid=XDIMECVJXSJAICSTHZOCFGA?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=mesh&x=0&y=0

tanith

The simplest thing would be to try and just bare (sp) with it till the young fledge , it might only be a matter of days.... then all will be peaceful again and you can do something about blocking the access and removing the nest./...

cajef

I work for the RSPB, a word of warning all birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 'it is illegal to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built' and removal of nests can only be carried out in the months of Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan.

Further information is available on wild birds and the law and is available in a booklet from the RSPB.

peterbaker

I agree with wholeheartedly with tanith.

I could be wrong, but as it has nested in the roof, I think it is perhaps unlikely to be a blackbird, but more likely a Starling if it is blackbird-sized and dark-coloured. Blackbirds do sometimes nest close to buildings but prefer thick hedgerows I think.

Decades ago (60s/early 70s) on the farm when Starlings were plentiful, we sometimes rather spitefully called them flying rats and even shot at them with air rifles before we knew better, but they can actually be quite entertaining to observe. They are bullies at the bird table, and squabble amongst themselves which is one reason we didn't mind thinning them out in those days because they were different to most garden birds and obviously spoiling for a fight! And they ran much more than they hopped!

However, the starling population reduced drastically probably through the introduction of some agrochemical with hushed up effects, perhaps the slug pellets used when oil seed rape was introduced to this country in a big way.

Anyway, best to live and let live. Scuffling noises in the roof? Awww ... how sweet:-)) .... well let them hatch and then wait till you hear the noises they make in the trees! If it is a Starling, their mimicry skills can be fascinating (they will often try to immitate sounds as diverse as other birds, and powerdrills around the home. I have even heard one mimicking the referee's whistle whilst sitting in trees bordering the playing field!)

But if it really is a blackbird, then even more reason to let it have it's space ... blackbirds never did any harm to anyone, and actually they generally sit quietly in the nest without too much scuffling until Mum or Dad brings breakfast!

danm

thanks for all the advise guys

nice lady at the RSPB said the same, that it is probably a starling. She said the young usually fly 22 days after hatching...i'll leave it a few weeks and then get up there and take a look.

She said nothing about not moving the nest until autumn winter.

law or no law, its gotta go

cajef

I am quite sympathetic to your plight, I was just giving you the legal position, and I can well imagine it can be annoying hearing noises in the roof space.

The problem is that Starlings can have two broods and Blackbirds sometimes three broods a year, so they are likely to return to the same nest site to reuse it, so if you do block it off make sure it is not in use.

Oh and don't tell anyone you have done it.;)