To me the pointing mortar must be very soft or the birds have very durable beaks if you have to repoint every year to repair the damage they cause,I wonder what damage they do to their bill.I have heard and seen birds attacking putty on window surrounds and seen birds picking insects out of the pointing but damage of this sort is a new one to me,what species of bird are they.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
In reply to Seaman:
I think they are sparrows?
In reply to doggie:
Alan,that does seem more likely but why would they damage the mortar ?it must knock heck out of their beaks.This is quite a poser and I wonder if others have studied it.
Hi Alan
Yes the pointing was just repaired and patched. The work we are planning to do in the new year will involve digging out all pointing and starting again. But it will be a lime based mortar so im a bit concerned it may be even softer?
Hi Abi
Doves do this all the time at my house.
The reason its the bottom layers is because thats all they can reach, I have seen odd sparrows clinging to the brickwork.
I believe its minerals and salt they go for. people were reporting this on footpaths ealier this year and when you think about it nearly everybody salted their paths and salt gathered in between crazy pathing etc
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
In reply to Barnsley lad:
Just wondered what you did about this at your house? Just about to arrange the repoint of the house and need to stop it happening again! thanks