Humane birds nest removal

Gone Fishin

Hi there,
I hope you can help me. A family of blackbirds have made a home for themselves in my attic which is directly over my bedroom. I have been awake for the past 4 nights at 4am with them squabbling and scratching around. I am trying to find a humane solution to this. I got ear plugs and thought that if I left them to their own devices, they would eventually get lost! I am at the end of my tether, I'm exhausted in work and I am really starting to lean towards a less humane solution to this - like a blow torch!! (Only joking). Seriously, is there an easy way to sort this? Would the DSPCA get involved?
Kind Regards.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Firstly, you'd want to look up the law on this. You cannot remove this nest and neither can the DSPCA or a Wildlife Ranger in these circumstances.

If Blackbird chicks have hatched they will be fledged and gone within 14 days.

I have House Sparrows scrambling along the gutters at 4 every morning, a Song Thrush belting out a tune to try and drown out the Robin and Wren but that's Nature. It's wonderful to have such life around us! Go with the flow!

Judgement Day

Sounds more like starlings than blackbirds, not that that is any consolation.

Gone Fishin

Don't get me wrong, I'm very appreciative of nature and the role that the birds play in keeping a lot of the garden pests like slugs at bay. I've even got a bird house and bird table which I fill regularly with seed and I've set up a little water feature so they can cool themselves down in the heat. But nature is kicking me in the arse here. Come on, 4 in the morning??!!! I'd be happy for them to nest in the garden anywhere they like but in the attic!!! Karma is just not fair. I might have to cut back on the seed!

doctor evil

Is there somewhere else you could sleep? They will be gone soon.

Sundew

Was just going to say the same thing. MOVE OUT OF THE ROOM!!!!!!!!!
It's only for afew more days. At least you don't have to put up with noisy neighbours :rolleyes:

Sounds like starlings to me too. My parents have them outside on their guttering!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I agree that it sounds more like Starlings but the OP seemed to know it was Blackbirds. The good news is that ,if it's Starlings, they'll be gone 2 days earlier!!

thehairyone

Section 19 of the Wildlife Act states:

"Wild birds and their nests and eggs, other than wild birds of the species mentioned in the Third Schedule to this Act, shall be protected."

However, Section 22, Subsection 5 goes on to state that it shall not be an offence for a person to;

"( g ) to destroy or remove any such nest which is built in or on an occupied building,"

My interpretation of the law (and someone please correct me if im wrong) is that if they are causing you a problem you can get rid of them yourself but as other posters have said it will only be for a few more days so you may as well leave them. I would suggest that when they are fledged that you make sure to block their entrance to the attic (just make sure they are out first).

If in doubt I would contact your local Conervation Ranger whose number can be gotten from the DoEHLG. Although from my experience, although full of good intentions, Rangers are not the most reliable of people.