Birds and Nest Removal

“THE BEST THING TO DO IF A BIRD IS STUCK OR TRYING TO NEST IN A CHIMNEY IS TO RING YOUR LOCAL CHIMNEY SWEEP”

• During spring birds try to find a nice place to build a nest. Chimneys are a common place for birds to make nests as they offer safety and protection from the elements. However birds often get stuck inside chimneys and its important you consult a local chimney sweep as advice can be varied when tackling the problem.

• Many people contact the RSPB when they hear birds in their chimney and their advice is often not correct as they have no knowledge of how chimneys operate.
• One customer of mine was told to “light a fire” buy the RSPB! This is both dangerous and very incorrect advice. Lighting a fire with a bird in the chimney can produce carbon monoxide as well as being very cruel and inappropriate.

• Another customer was told to “just wait until the bird dies” by the RSPB! This is also both cruel and inappropriate.

THE BEST THING TO DO IF A BIRD IS STUCK OR TRYING TO NEST IN A CHIMNEY IS TO RING YOUR LOCAL CHIMNEY SWEEP!

• Chimney sweeps are very experienced with birds and the art of bird nest removal. They can often respond quickly, which maximises the chance of saving the birds and minimises the damage the bird can do inside the chimney.

• Birds start nesting in Spring and once a nest is created then it cannot be disturbed as it is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intestinally remove or kill nesting birds and their eggs.

• If birds have nested in your chimney then the best thing to do is wait unit they have ‘fledged’ the nest. This means all the birds and chicks have left the nest and it is no longer in use. This usually happens in June/July time in the UK.

• Once the birds have fledged the nest then your local chimney sweep will be able to remove the nest using specialist equipment. It is then important to install a chimney cowl in order to stop birds being able to access the chimney and nest again. Your local chimney sweep will most likely offer a chimney cowl installation service.

So remember if you or someone you know has evidence of bird activity in their chimney, call your local chimney sweep straight away!