Chimney mortar on the hearth

no1catman

Any ideas please, on why the hearth in the front room some mornings has a sprinkling of mortar dust - rarely bigger than a pin-head.
Front room has an unused gas fire.
Had put it done to the disturbance caused by next-door doing a lot of 'banging. Did wonder a few months ago if a bird got stuck down there, but then what.
Found quite a bit this morning, but no banging to account for it, wondered if any snow could have got in up top, and dislodged things?

Any thoughts, explanations? Is it cause for concern? And what can be done?

EssexExile

I'm always getting bits on the hearth, it's been doing it for at least 20 years & nothing major has fallen down yet. I assumed wind was the cause, it used to be nesting pigeons until I had the right terminals fitted.

Grenage

That any masonry bees coming out of hibernation, I imagine. It's quite normal.

no1catman

Well, what an afternoon. Went back in the room to check for more debris. Crouched down with dustpan and brush in hand - and what happens!! Bl**** JACKDAW emerges and flies over my head is what happens!!
Partner starts screaming - she has a phobia about birds (only likes them at a distance). She escapes to elsewhere in the house. I frantically open blinds - it was getting entangled - and open fan-light window. After awhile it seems to calm down from its frantic excursions, and I was able to pick it up and throw it out the window!
It thankfully flew off, none the worse for its adventure!!

What an mad time.

EssexExile

Time to get a terminal fitted to the pot before they start nesting in it!

no1catman

Yes, the next day D J Mackay fitted bird cowl, and chimney caps, funny only afterwards do I notice how many of the surrounding chimneys have them as well.
At least look on the Brightside - it was only a jackdaw - they said that they've come across instances where seagulls have emerged from the chimney into a room! Trying to get one of those - outside- doesn't bare thinking about!!

minty777

we had an albatross:rotfl: