Birds nestling underneath roof tiles

loulou41

I found birds have been in my loft and saw their droppings on the insulation. In January I called a roofer to block all the entries. Today whilst outside I could hear them walking along the gutters and I saw a starling disappeared underneath the roof tile. I checked the loft and found fresh birds dropping and I could hear the birds chirping as if they were underneath the tiles. I did not see any birds in the loft whilst I was there except fresh droppings. I have phoned the roofer who did the job but have not heard from him. I guess he is not interested as I have already paid. If I can get him to come and check should he charged me again? I still do not understand how they can still get in. It is ok for them to nest on my roof as long as they do not get in. Has this ever happened to anybody on this forum. Thanks

Livelongandprosper

Every year we got the swallows returning

So now we have chicken wire in over the top gutters - sorts the leaves out as well, and CDs dangling from the soffits Not pretty but works. Neighbours also hang plastic bags from top window openings to stop them

TheCyclingProgrammer

They are probably nesting in the eaves, possibly inside the soffits. We have starlings nesting in our soffits each year though they never enter the loft. The only suggestion I can make is perhaps put some kind of mesh along the eaves inside your loft to stop them entering the loft space without blocking off your eaves ventilation, but make sure they do not have a nest inside the loft first. You must not disturb any nest and if they have one you will have to wait to get their entrance blocked off.

andrewf75

Sad that people actually stop birds nesting under their eaves. Theres me putting up special boxes in the hope of attracting them!

Head_The_Ball

Are they doing any damage or causing you a noise irritation?

If not, then just leave them alone to do their thing.

Otherwise ensure you do not block off a nest with eggs or chicks when you seal the entrances.

We used to have a House Martin's nest on the side of our house for a few years. Having to clean their poop off the path a few times every spring was a small price to pay for the delight of watching the acrobatic birds fly around and the little black and white heads peeping out of the nest.

loulou41

I am quite happy to leave them alone. They are actually getting inside the loft and leave their droppings on the loft insulation. Being elderly it is not easy to climb loft ladder to clean the mess and it is a health hazard as well.

EmmyLou30

I imagine it's the bird droppings all over the OP's belongings in the loft and the possible transmission of disease that bothers them - it'd bother me too! I'm happy for them to nest in the porch/canopy roof over the front door, but not in my roof.
We had them getting in under some lead flashing at one point, blocked it from the inside in the end.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

Otherwise ensure you do not block off a nest with eggs or chicks when you seal the entrances.

Just so OP is aware, it is illegal to disturb, damage or destroy any nest that is being used even if it doesn't yet have eggs or chicks.

docmatt

Birds usually stay in the eaves because they like to run along and poo in a designated area. Bear in mind their poo destroys roofing felt.
Your roofer should have installed bird comb but if you are a semi or terraced property, blocking off the tiles won't do anything cause they just run across from the neighbouring property.

Livelongandprosper

andrewf75 wrote: »

Sad that people actually stop birds nesting under their eaves. Theres me putting up special boxes in the hope of attracting them!

They are welcome to the garage, the car port, the chicken coop and sheds, just not on my house.

phil24_7

I used to get a swallow (same on I think) nesting in my roof space. Where one of my chimney stacks has been cut down to ceiling height he kept trying different flues out.

The first time he ended up stuck between plasterboard and wall and needed enticing out. He let me pick him up and stood on my hand for a few seconds before flying out of the window, like he knew I had helped him! The second year he tried the next flue and came down behind a cupboard, I had to disassemble the cupboard to help him out. The third, and final, year he came down into a closed off chimney overnight and couldn't get out. I had no rip of the skirting and knock a hole in the wall for him to get out.

I haven't seen him since.

We have a lot of swallows and house martins nesting in our street and they are beautiful to watch throughout the summer.