Birds in the roof

[imdying]

I have a Starling family in the roof of my house, in the corner, I assume they're getting into the soffit through the guttering area. I've seen the mother dart in and out, and I found a piece of flax sticking out past the guttering (which is how I noticed them in the first place). I stood outside for a while, and I can hear lots of chirping, and she'll fly away and come back

So basically they're not hurting anyone at the moment, but after this spring I'd really rather that birds weren't living and presumably crapping in the roof of my house.

What's the recommended method of keeping birds at bay? I could get a cat I guess, but they're pretty harsh on birds. Perhaps some sort of gutter guard? Although they must be getting between the tiles and the gutter, so maybe that's not quite the perfect answer unless it has been developed with this aim in mind?

Suggestions?

Any idea if they'll vacate at some stage, or maintain the nest till next years breeding commences? Would prefer to prevent access in the future rather than forcibly evict.

[ManDownUnder]

Possibly pay to move them on sooner because rats can find them and it's ebnough to encourage them to move in too.

Keep an eye on where they are getting in, block it off and remove the nest by hand. Leaving it to die means you hae rotten eggs in your roof...

[Sidewinder]

go to the spca and get a cat and leave it up there and problem gone!

[imdying]

Possibly pay to move them on sooner because rats can find them and it's ebnough to encourage them to move in too.

Keep an eye on where they are getting in, block it off and remove the nest by hand. Leaving it to die means you hae rotten eggs in your roof...

Great, hadn't considered those possibilities. I suspect I'll have to put the mother down before I can get in there if I attempt it at this time of year. I will if I have to, but I suspect she'd put up a fight to the death which would be a little tragic for the little ones chirping away inside.

go to the spca and get a cat and leave it up there and problem gone!

Birds get a pretty hard time from cats, I'd rather solve the problem without 'force'.

[ManDownUnder]

Great, hadn't considered those possibilities. I suspect I'll have to put the mother down before I can get in there if I attempt it at this time of year. I will if I have to, but I suspect she'd put up a fight to the death which would be a little tragic for the little ones chirping away inside.

Oh shit - I thought it was eggs, not baby birds. Makes it all the more difficult... I must admit I'm inclined to say let them grow and fly away now... if it was only eggs then not such a biggy (yes - I'm a softie... like that's a secret...)

[sinfull]

Slug slam the snails and WAM ! Chirping stops !

Ok Ok you could always set up some beer traps for the snails and marinate them for the birds and the mother will forget her way home ! Chirping stops slowly

Or put up with them for this season and enjoy the chirping while it lasts ! Birdshit up in the eve wont bother ya, not like it will be a health hazzard

[Cheshire Cat]

Let the cat loose up there!

[ManDownUnder]

Just checked - the young leave the nest at about 3 weeks old. If you can stand it for 3 weeks...

[Sidewinder]

Let the cat loose up there!

yeah the cheshire cat!

[sinfull]

Let the cat loose up there!

You that skinny ?

[Cheshire Cat]

You that skinny ?

you saw me at taupo didnt you?

[imdying]

Oh for sure, I've never noticed them till the flax sticking out and the following observations. If it was a rental, I'd just ignore them, they're just doing their bird thang up there.

Maybe I should build a bird house in the backyard. Not sure how'd you'd build one that cats wouldn't use to their advantage though.

[sinfull]

you saw me at taupo didnt you?

Drool sluurrrp hehe yeah snigga !

[sinfull]

Oh for sure, I've never noticed them till the flax sticking out and the following observations. If it was a rental, I'd just ignore them, they're just doing their bird thang up there.

Maybe I should build a bird house in the backyard. Not sure how'd you'd build one that cats wouldn't use to their advantage though.

Possum Guard ! Sheet of that wrapped around the poll will stop a cat !

[vifferman]

Leave them there until the chicks are fledged and leave the nest, then clear the nest and assorted crap out. Make sure you block up the hole where they're getting into the roof, or they'll be back next year. Use some fine bird netting or the like.