Coal tit nesting dilemma (1 Viewer)

[RegTelescope]

Coal tits have this morning begun nesting in a gutter on my roof.

I am due to have work carried out on the roof and I wonder if it's in the birds' best interest to remove any nest they have started now, rather than allow them to be faced with the same sort of disruption once they have eggs or young?

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on this matter.

I think I may have to be cruel to be kind and try to deter the birds now, though it will break my heart to destroy their work so far.

:-C

 

[balvert]

I've got just one question: how essential is the work?

 

[balvert]

It is an offence under The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to 'intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built'.

Perhaps you could wait until August/September to have the work done on your roof?

 

[RegTelescope]

No date has been set for the work yet, so I will have to see about putting it off until later in the year.

I have absolutely no objection to the birds trying to raise a family in there, but aside from the roof work, I'm concerned that any heavy rain is going to wash them out.

I had a similar experience last year, watching mistle thrushes make a doomed attempt to raise young in my sycamore tree. I could do very little about it, and had to watch the drama unfold naturally.

Guess I'll have to do the same again.

Thanks for your very sensible advice and for reminding me about the laws concerning these matters.