- Common nesters
- Sparrows, starlings, jackdaws, swifts, house martins
- Nesting season
- Mainly March to August
- Noise
- Scratching and chirping from dawn
- After fledging
- Proof gaps before next spring
The law protects wild birds' nests while they're being built or used, so the answer is almost always to wait until the young have fledged, then proof the gap before next spring.
Signs of nesting birds
- Birds flying in and out of the same gap under tiles or at the fascia
- Scratching and chirping from the eaves, starting at dawn
- Nesting material poking out of gaps
- Twigs falling into a fireplace, or loud calls from a chimney (jackdaws)
- White splashed droppings below the entry point
How to be sure
Birds are active in daylight and stay near the edges of the roof. Scratching in the middle of the loft at night is more likely rodents. Squirrels thump and run in the daytime.
What you can do yourself
- Leave the nest alone while it's active. Most broods fledge within a few weeks.
- Note where the birds go in and out.
- Once you're sure the nest is empty, fit bird combs, mesh or replacement fascia and soffit vents to the gap.
- For chimneys, fit a cowl or mesh cap outside the nesting season.
- Swifts and house martins are declining fast. Consider leaving their nest sites, or adding a swift box when you proof the roof.
Call a professional if
- A nest is blocking a flue you need to use for a working fire or boiler
- Pigeons or gulls are causing a persistent problem. Control of these birds is only allowed under specific licences
- Proofing work needs scaffolding or roof access
The law: All wild birds, their eggs and their nests in use or being built are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with equivalent laws in Northern Ireland. It's an offence to take, damage or destroy an active nest. Some birds, such as feral pigeons and certain gulls, can only be controlled under general licences with strict conditions, which vary between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Safety: Old nests can harbour bird mites, which sometimes wander indoors and bite once birds leave. Remove old nests after fledging, wearing gloves.
Keeping them out
- Fit bird combs along the eaves when re-roofing
- Repair gaps and damaged soffits in autumn or winter
- Cap unused chimney pots
Kit that helps
- Bird combs for eaves
- Galvanised mesh
- Chimney cowl
- Swift nest box
Product types only. We'll only ever point you to things we'd use ourselves.
Questions people ask
When is bird nesting season?
Mainly March to August, but the law protects any active nest whenever it's in use.
Can I remove a nest if the birds haven't laid eggs yet?
A nest is protected while it's being built or used. Wait until it's clearly abandoned or the young have fledged.
Why am I getting bitten after the birds left?
Bird mites from the old nest may be looking for a new host. Remove the nest and clean the area, and the bites usually stop.
What about pigeons?
Proofing with spikes, netting or mesh is the usual answer. Lethal control is only permitted under general licences with conditions, so it's best left to professionals.