Hello, I have what I think are house martins starting to nest in my garage. It seems they can only get in when I leave the door open. Soon I go on holiday. Should I disrupt the nest building or just let nature take its course?

geofft00 12/05/2023 07:14

Hello, I have what I think are house martins starting to nest in my garage/workshop. It appears they can only get in when I leave the door open (which I do regularly) - this morning one was lingering and immediately entered once I opened the door.
My dilemma is I am going away for a few weeks in 2 weeks time. I cannot leave the garage open as I have too much equipment in there. Should I disrupt the nest building at this early stage to encourage them to go elsewhere? Or just let nature take its course?
Any help appreciated,

0 geofft00 12/05/2023 08:19

Thanks, it is the first year and there’s a pair been in and out for a few days now. They’ve started to nest in the apex of the roof, building it on my fluorescent light right where the cable enters (I’ve disconnect electric!)

Here’s a photo
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0 geofft00 12/05/2023 08:45

Thanks for the info but unfortunately none of those options are viable. I guess it’s just a case of hoping they can find a way in and out when the doors are closed for 3 weeks. I will try to encourage them to nest elsewhere by keeping the doors closed for the next couple of weeks, as the nest has only just been started
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0 Rushin_Bushin 13/05/2023 08:53 in reply to geofft00

That seems the wisest course. In the long run you could put up a nest box for them on the outside of the building as they clearly like that spot
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0 geofft00 13/05/2023 13:33 in reply to Rushin_Bushin

Thx, there are a number already there, some in use by the resident sparrows. I guess they preferred my fluorescent light, must be upmarket swallows
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