I have noticed birds waking me up early over the last few days, and I thought I could hear them on the roof or that they were maybe nesting in the guttering. I suddenly noticed that it was particularly loud in the kitchen, directly below our bedroom, and having pressed my ear to the wall it does very much sound like they’re in the cavity wall. It’s loud in that wall on both floors so they must be using the whole space. It’s an external wall and it looks as though the bottom flap on the external ducting vent has blown off in the storm, and they must be getting in from there!!
The question is… what on Earth do we do?! I’m so worried that they’ll get trapped in there. Am I right in thinking it’s too early for babies just yet? Is there a way we can coax them out before they nest in there for the summer? I’m particularly worried that a baby bird wouldn’t find it’s way out of there! I *think* they’re starlings as there’s often a lot around but am yet to catch one coming or going.
Any advice is appreciated. Obviously we don’t want any damage to the house but my main concern is that they’ll be alright in there…
I have Starlings that roost in my area. I see them every morning and afternoon but sometimes they visit a couple of times and sometimes they stay a long time. They come for the morning and afternoon and they nest around my area Going in and out of cavitys on walls of houses during nesting season
When not nesting. with roosting sites they do have an evening roosting site. so for the evening they go somewhere else. Usually when they have a (evening) roosting site they go there for the evening. But if there nesting they will probably visit it regularly. If they had already had young you would hear begging calls but I don’t think that is likely quiet yet. If building a nest they would probably keep going in and out
but like you said if your unsure it might be a good idea to leave them alone
Thats ok. I still think it would be a good idea to check the hole to see for sure or to leave them alone if your unsure like the RSPB advised though.
ALH said:Ahhh thanks, that’s good to know. Might look into that so we know for sure. RSPB advice was to try and catch them coming/going with twigs etc, but if they’re roosting then they’ll probably only come a few times around dusk and if unsure then just leave them alone. I think the reality is that they’re probably well into nesting and we’re in for a noisy Summer!
Whether you use an endoscope or not, let us know how you get on.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler