How do I stop this nesting in my roof

CarPark2

A really loud chirping noise started this morning and has been going all day.
It is really loud in our bedroom. I went into the attic and it seems to be outside (above) the attic. But if I look at the roof for this part of the house, I can’t see or hear anything.

I took a recording and uploaded it here: https://vocaroo.com/i/s0wdTK4JGVEv
Does anybody recognise the bird?
Any idea where it is (could it be under the tiles but above the felt)?
Any idea how to stop it nesting?

My wife is pregnant and due soon. Sleep is difficult, but if this keeps going it will be impossible. Also, something died, a week ago, somewhere in the walls/attic (I cannot find it) and the smell in the affected room has been unbearable since.
With a baby due, I cannot have this constant noise and the risk that the bird or future chicks may die and have that smell in our bedroom.

It sounds like an exaggeration to say that it has been going all day, but it is true.

How can I stop this guy from nesting?

corks finest

CarPark2 wrote:

My wife is pregnant and due soon. Sleep is difficult, but if this keeps going it will be impossible. Also, something died, a week ago, somewhere in the walls/attic (I cannot find it) and the smell in the affected room has been unbearable since. With a baby due, I cannot have this constant noise and the risk that the bird or future chicks may die and have that smell in our bedroom.

Didn't listen to recording ( too early) but probably a starling- need to get up on a ladder to block access when birds/s have flown - more than likely with a bucket of mortar( woodies ready mixed ,just add water)find the hole - fill,ref smell could be a dead rat/ mouse ,you need to investigate and if a bird can get in so can rodents ( holes normally found on corners of house roof where old mortar has fell/ been pecked away)

corks finest

Could be a bird trapped also maybe in the chimney breast

Stigura

Car Park; 'Sounds like' a male House Sparrow who's found a hole, an inch or so wide, in ye soffit or fascia.

I say " Sounds like " based on both the vague sound that my useless speakers, and even more useless ears are giving me. Also, a schit ton of personal experience around house sparrows.

If I'm right? He'll be announcing; " Look what I have, girls! " If so? Your job is to get in that roof space. Ensure there's no active nest, where the chirping's coming from. Then, bung / repair that hole by what ever means.


Regards the 'Something dead and stinking'? Catch a jar of blow flies. Let them go, in the Effected room. They should tell ye what ye need to know. Up to you what ye then do about it.

I'm sorry. I actually went into my old store and searched for the last bag ~ I thought I still had ~ of rotting corpse deodoriser. Unfortunately, I can't find it. Or I'd have forwarded it to ye.

WildIreland

Sounds like a male house sparrow calling all right.

They chirp constantly -- so can well believe he was at it all day. They don't normally make any noise at night though.

As Stigura says, you'll need to make sure there's no active nest with eggs/chicks in it, before you close off any access holes in the fascia/soffits under that part of the roof.

Best of luck with encouraging your new lodger to move out, and with your upcoming new arrival.

OUTDOORLASS

My MIL had a similar problem. I used expanding foam at the edge of the roof..front and back of the house. That sorted the problem. Think I used about 6 cans of the stuff. Bought in a local hardware.

razorblunt

I have a sparrow nest under the roof of my house too. External only from what I can tell (the builder will be contacted otherwise) but am I right in thinking I can't do anything about it until they've all left the nest in September?
I'm more than happy with that by the way, not going to destroy it beforehand.

Mickeroo

razorblunt wrote: »

I have a sparrow nest under the roof of my house too. External only from what I can tell (the builder will be contacted otherwise) but am I right in thinking I can't do anything about it until they've all left the nest in September?
I'm more than happy with that by the way, not going to destroy it beforehand.

Yeah, it's illegal to destroy an active nest.

CarPark2

WildIreland wrote: »

Sounds like a male house sparrow calling all right.

They chirp constantly -- so can well believe he was at it all day. They don't normally make any noise at night though.

As Stigura says, you'll need to make sure there's no active nest with eggs/chicks in it, before you close off any access holes in the fascia/soffits under that part of the roof.

Best of luck with encouraging your new lodger to move out, and with your upcoming new arrival.

Thanks. If he succeeds in finding a mate, will the chirping die down?
Is it unusual to be seeking a mate this late in the season?

Capercaillie

Buy some ear plugs.

Graces7

CarPark2 wrote: »

Thanks. If he succeeds in finding a mate, will the chirping die down?
Is it unusual to be seeking a mate this late in the season?

The sparrows nesting opposite my windows had two broods last year so this is about right.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

CarPark2 wrote: »

Thanks. If he succeeds in finding a mate, will the chirping die down?
Is it unusual to be seeking a mate this late in the season?

He will have a mate already. The chirping is just laying claim to his nest site. In Ireland they usually have 3 clutches and can run through to late August or early September sometimes. Once the clutch is being incubated and fed he will quieten down so as not to draw too much attention to the nest.