JACKDAW nesting season is here – and that could be a problem for your fire and chimney. There are around 1.4 million pairs of Jackdaws in the UK!
Kevin Voice, of ‘The Soot Sergeant’, took these photos of nests in the Powys area.
These birds love to set-up home in chimneys. They generally nest in dark enclosed spaces from March / April, depending on the weather.
Emily Bignell, from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said that nests found in chimneys were most often jackdaws. She added: “All birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). The birds cannot legally be removed for being a nuisance or an inconvenience.”
Lawson Wight, from the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps, said: “As the RSPB says, there are legal obligations. However, if a nest presents a safety issue for the occupants of the house, it’s a different matter. Seek advice from your local professional sweep as individual situations will vary.”
He added: “All sweeps intending to remove a nest should review the legal obligations “Licences and legal obligations” and understand who is an “Authorised Person” These are from Defra for England, please check local requirements for devolved UK administrations.
“UNDER NO circumstances should you try to light the fire and “smoke them out”. You are more likely to smoke yourself out or cause a huge and damaging chimney fire. You can see from pictures here just how much flammable nest material there can be.”
A bird guard like the one pictured here will prevent a nest in the chimney. The caps pictured are perfect for unused chimneys only.
Steven Howard, from The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps, said: “It is very important to fit the right sort of guard. The wrong guard can prevent poisonous gasses from escaping up the chimney. Don’t be tempted to fit it yourself, it’s too easy to get things wrong.”
Your local professional chimney sweep can give you the best guidance about removing nests and stopping them in the future. Get in touch via our directory.
Search our directory to find your local sweep
Licence and obligations link here
HERE is a selection of photos showing the contents of jackdaw nests. Also see some of the unusual objects we find in these nests! As you can see, nests can be a big problem – ask your sweep about bird guards and caps.
A great variety of “stuff” from one nest
Looking down the chimney pot at jackdaw chicks. These were left to fledge and the nest was removed early autumn