Wingman Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Since about March we have had a family of starlings nesting in a gap in the roof in our extension above my sons bedroom. The little ******* start tweeting at about 4am and carry on throughout the day. It sounds like they have chicks but I thought they would have fledged by now but it seems not. My wife is keen that I dont get my AirArms rifle out and sort them out and I dont want to fall foul of the law although my neighbour has the same problem and is keen to get them "sorted" so doubt they would mind! Does anyone know anything about these annoying birds and when they might go away? Is there a legal way to deal with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Just now, Wingman said: Since about March we have had a family of starlings nesting in a gap in the roof in our extension above my sons bedroom. The little ******* start tweeting at about 4am and carry on throughout the day. It sounds like they have chicks but I thought they would have fledged by now but it seems not. My wife is keen that I dont get my AirArms rifle out and sort them out and I dont want to fall foul of the law although my neighbour has the same problem and is keen to get them "sorted" so doubt they would mind! Does anyone know anything about these annoying birds and when they might go away? Is there a legal way to deal with them? If you want to stay the right side of the law, wait for the chicks to fledge, then proof the roof against them.......rolled up wire netting in the hole/gap (quick, easy and cheap!) will stop em gaining access again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 I have been waiting for them to fledge since April! They must be at it again and making new ones! So just to be clear I cant "dispatch" them legally on my own property even on the basis of health risks as they are messing all down the side of the wall and onto the patio?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 I block up all of the likely places over winter and then they go to the neighbours houses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 One of my dairy farmers once applied for a special licence as they were fouling the cows feed, doubt it's worth it in your case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 26 minutes ago, Wingman said: I have been waiting for them to fledge since April! They must be at it again and making new ones! So just to be clear I cant "dispatch" them legally on my own property even on the basis of health risks as they are messing all down the side of the wall and onto the patio?? No you can't, a listed bird I believe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 14 minutes ago, old man said: No you can't, a listed bird I believe? correct. And given the starlings' plight across the UK, be content with your house helping the population! Also, chick survival rate is down to about 15%. Not great news. Source: BTO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 1 minute ago, chrisjpainter said: correct. And given the starlings' plight across the UK, be content with your house helping the population! Also, chick survival rate is down to about 15%. Not great news. Source: BTO 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 More than likely a second brood, as chrisjpainter says, they are in decline so don’t kill them, if you can put-up with them till they fledge you can then block the entrance, don’t know if you are a gardener but they are good for your garden and especially your lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Ok then, I'll block up the gap then when they've gone! Have been working from home today and the constant racket is driving me nuts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 try the white noise thing, waves or water, it blocks out traffic noise so should work with your guests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Once they have flown the nest a squirt of expanding foam in the nest site should block things for next year. Worked on mine anyway. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twenty Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Starlings are great mimics, very often I've heard odd sounding Blackbirds only to see a starling going for it, apparently they are quite easy to tame, if you find a youngster, (Legally ). and can be taught to talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted June 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 27 minutes ago, twenty said: Starlings are great mimics, very often I've heard odd sounding Blackbirds only to see a starling going for it, apparently they are quite easy to tame, if you find a youngster, (Legally ). and can be taught to talk. I definitely don't want one as a pet!!!!! But the cat would probably like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) Mrs got a cat and its not a year old yet,its been like the friggin terminator this week with young starlings one after the other. does a better job of retrieving than the spaniel.think the parents are bringing the young to feed from next doors bird table making em easy pickings. keep telling em not to put food down but i'm wasting me breath. Edited June 13, 2019 by Remimax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twenty Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Remimax said: Mrs got a cat and its not a year old yet,its been like the friggin terminator this week with young starlings one after the other. does a better job of retrieving than the spaniel.think the parents are bringing the young to feed from next door bird table making em easy pickings. keep telling em not to put food down but i'm wasting me breath. Put a bell on a cat collar,.......only for the next few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 1 minute ago, twenty said: Put a bell on a cat collar,.......only for the next few weeks yep was thinking along those lines will give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 5 hours ago, Wingman said: Since about March we have had a family of starlings nesting in a gap in the roof in our extension above my sons bedroom. The little ******* start tweeting at about 4am and carry on throughout the day. It sounds like they have chicks but I thought they would have fledged by now but it seems not. My wife is keen that I dont get my AirArms rifle out and sort them out and I dont want to fall foul of the law although my neighbour has the same problem and is keen to get them "sorted" so doubt they would mind! Does anyone know anything about these annoying birds and when they might go away? Is there a legal way to deal with them? Watch them until they fledge! Once they are out of the nest just fill the hole up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 6 minutes ago, Remimax said: Mrs got a cat and its not a year old yet,its been like the friggin terminator this week with young starlings one after the other. does a better job of retrieving than the spaniel.think the parents are bringing the young to feed from next doors bird table making em easy pickings. keep telling em not to put food down but i'm wasting me breath. You're telling your neighbours not to put food on their bird table because your cat is killing the young birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twenty Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 3 minutes ago, Remimax said: yep was thinking along those lines will give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, grrclark said: You're telling your neighbours not to put food on their bird table because your cat is killing the young birds? think thats what i typed apart from it not being my cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Just now, Remimax said: think thats what i typed apart from it not being my cat. Glad i'm not your neighbour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 1 minute ago, grrclark said: Glad i'm not your neighbour. why do you think there is a shortage of natural food this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Roll some fine wire mesh up and stuff in the hole and then apply the foam. Foam on it's own will not always work. I had the same problem in the eaves of my house and the birds...great tits..just dug their way in. Eventually when doing a full repair on the eaves we filled it with mortar, job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Remimax said: why do you think there is a shortage of natural food this time of year. There is a shortage of starlings though. Plenty of birds would be better off if domestic cats didn't kill so much. And amphibians. And reptiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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