Coincidentally the edge of the gutter where it connects to the downspout is where birds often choose to nest because this area is often protected by the overhanging roof.
Birds nest in gutter uk.
Birds nest wherever they please whether it s in your trees or in your home s gutters.
Instead these birds view your gutters as a great place to take up residence.
If a bird has already built a nest in your roof gutter eaves or any other unwanted spot you can t simply knock the nest down.
All birds their nest and eggs are protected by the wildlife countryside act 1981 and it is thus an offence to damage or destroy an active nest or prevent parent birds access to their nests.
This is often the case during the spring and summer when the nests will be occupied by adults as well as hatchlings.
The nests become a mess as the birds expand and leave debris including their smelly droppings.
Bird nests might be pretty but they can cause serious blockages in your gutters.
In the case of birds such as the barn owl that are listed on schedule 1 of the act it is an offence even to disturb the birds when at or near the nest.
You ll want to remove the bird nest as soon as it s possible and take any measures you can to prevent future nests from popping up.
No matter how you feel about birds they don t belong in your gutter and may cause serious issues if they do nest in gutters.
7 tips for removing and preventing bird nests in gutter systems.
As mentioned previously local laws may prevent you from removing a bird s nest during certain times of the year.
Another reason why you have to discourage the birds from nesting on gutter vents and eaves is that they are exposed to some danger.
For some birds though gutters aren t a damage guarding home system.
While a single bird nest can t possibly clog the entire gutter keep in mind that the gutter empties into a downspout.
Among the birds who most prefer to nest in gutters are finches starlings and house sparrows.
All birds tend to look for safe isolated spots to build nests but in the uk finches starlings and house sparrows seem to think that a gutter is nesting utopia.
Remove the nest by hand.