Any RSPB (or bird type experts) and roofers about?

[simon the viking]

Yet another non cycling relating topic... but I find cycle chat has a wide variety of tradesman and experts so.......

We've got a slight damp patch on our bedroom ceiling at one edge... thinking it was the fascias as they are looking very poorly we called a family friend who is a roofer (and does fascias) to have a look he showed us the problem which is rotting felt under the tiles which is holding damp in....... Now he said its not urgent but needs doing relatively soon (within next couple of years) we don't want it to ruin the perfectly good ceiling and decor so we want to get it done now (ish) he went away and came back with a quote half what I expected for removing (good) tiles replacing ALL roof felt and battens, replacing original tiles, then new fascias and gutters.

Problem is we believe there is birds nesting in the roof/fascia area and it seems to be illegal (and morally wrong anyway) to disturb unless immediate emergency work is required. is this correct. Whilst not an outright emergency I don't want any real damage to occur to good decor and ceiling.

I have read that if you install nesting boxes close to the original nest, this helps the birds resettle and covers your legal obligation. I don't want to ask the roofer and put him on the spot and ask him to do anything illegal AND We don't want to upset the ickle birdies (if roof was perfect we would be happy to share our space with them)

Thoughts?

 

[steve50]

These are the guidelines for working on trees etc during nesting times, I would assume the same rules will apply for roof work unless it is an emergency situation.
http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2185.htm#

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

These are the guidelines for working on trees etc during nesting times, I would assume the same rules will apply for roof work unless it is an emergency situation.
http://cdm15017.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p268001coll12/id/10807

OOOps - wrong linky I think

 

[steve50]

Yup, corrected now.

 

[Haitch]

From the RSPB website:

All bird nests are protected by law. It is illegal to intentionally disturb or destroy the active nest of any wild bird. If you must deter birds from nesting in your roof, work to deny access must be done during the winter months when they are not nesting.

ETA:

]You should always avoid roofing work if you know birds are nesting there, but sometimes a roof nest is only discovered during renovation work. If this happens and the roof cannot be left until the young have flown, you can make an artificial nest box for a starling or sparrow quickly and simply by cutting a four-litre ice cream tub.

Cut an entrance close to the top of one long side (diameter 32 mm for house sparrow and 45 mm for starling), and roughen the surface below the entrance hole to give the birds some grip. On the opposite side, make two small holes about 25 mm (1 inch) down and 75 mm (3 inches) apart. Thread string through for fixing, and make two small drainage holes in the bottom. Place the nest together with eggs or young into the box. Close the box, leaving the side hole as the only entry. Fix the box as near as possible to the original site. The parents will usually find their young and continue to look after them in the new location

 

[simon the viking]

If it has to wait to until winter so be it.... But more than happy to do the nesting box thing and leave it there it permanently, but would want it to actually work and them resettle in it not just fulfil some red tape.

@Alan H the Rspb link is the one I saw and thought it was a cut and dried LEAVE IT.... but then it went on about the nesting boxes so created a grey area in my thoughts

 

[simon the viking]

[QUOTE 4220203, member: 9609"]are the birds nesting there now ? and do you know what species they are.

do you have a photograph of where they nest, there is usually a way to work round these problems[/QUOTE]

No idea what species and is high up on side of house, so no photos but see them go in end of eves and here them scratching above our heads so pretty certain they are nesting in there.

 

[simon the viking]

These are the guidelines for working on trees etc during nesting times, I would assume the same rules will apply for roof work unless it is an emergency situation.
http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2185.htm#

Interesting link... we assumed October/November just when nasty weather starts is the time they are not nesting but that link indicates more late August so food for thought......

 

[Haitch]

a cut and dried LEAVE IT

Seems to be more nuanced. There appears to be a "reroof to kill" policy for pigeons outside the nesting season but bats and owls enjoy special protection all year round. Similarly, active nests are protected but not ex-nests. Ask the roofer, it won't be the first time he will have come across something like this, or the council. Or the RSPB directly.

 

[simon the viking]

Thanks for all the input........I am going to ask the roofer but didn't want to put him on the spot.... My first thought weeks ago when we first heard them was I hope they aren't bats... as I understand they are a nightmare to remove legally

 

[nickyboy]

Nesting in your house they are probably House Sparrows or Starlings. Other species are possible but these are most likely

What I would do is wait until they have finished nesting. They are very probably nest building now. Unless something unusual happens they will have finished before August

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If there's some old felt that's causing problem you might be able to remove the felt and replace later when the boids have gone. You don't always 'need' felt under tiles.

 

[simon the viking]

Just asked Mrs V and she seems to think they are Starlings...

if end of August is correct...then will probably wait until then problem solved...... New bike has gone back a year though