Lobster wrote:
larkim wrote:
We've had some swifts nesting firstly in the eaves and now slightly
further into the loft (I presume they've used some of the membrane as
nesting material and made the hole larger), plus some sparrows I think
at another point.

What time of year is a good time to repair / block these holes so as
not to interfere with nesting? And how thorough should I be about
cleaning up behind them?

After August:
http://www.londons-swifts.org.uk/Re-Roofing.htm

Actually, if I may hijack this thread as this has reminded me of a
related query... I'd rather like to encourage swifts or house-martins to
nest at our place: as a kid I always remember them nesting under the
barge-boards, year after year. Not keen on them possibly damaging my
house though, and I can remember seeing years ago a special replacememt
end-ridge tile which incorporated a nest inside it at the gable end.
This sort of idea:
http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=2&item_pk=224&p=1
but obviously inside a ridge tile.

Anyone know where I can get one? And apart from bird poo collecting on
the ground beneath, are there any good reasons why this might be a Bad
Idea?

David




David
There were several binbags full of straw etc
in my roof from years of birds-
I dont mind the birds
but the straw, droppings, dead meat etc
could be a breeding ground for rats and other vermin...

[g]