Starlings -can nest under roof cause a smell? (1 Viewer)

[Ellie the elephant]

Just wondering whether our starling friends, who have started building nests under broken roof tiles, can cause an unpleasant smell in the house! This happened last year and again with recent storms it has caused more gaps and the smell has started again! It disappeared last year when nesting time was over. Anyone else have this experience?
From a bird lover who happens to have a strong nose!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum.

I imagine the smell from a dirty nest could permeate into a house. Time to get the roof fixed, maybe?!

 

[Lisa W]

Hi Ellie, welcome to the forum on behalf of the staff and moderators. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Ellie and a warm welcome from me too.

Starlings seem to like nesting in holes, so perhaps you could try putting up some nest boxes for them. They nest colonially, so you could have a few close together. Here's a link to the RSPB site, which gives ideas for them: Build a Starling nestbox

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[Andy Lakin]

Hi Ellie and a warm welcome from me too.

Starlings seem to like nesting in hol perhaps you could try putting up some nest boxes for them. They nest colonially, so you could have a few close together. Here's a link to the RSPB site, which gives ideas for them: Build a Starling nestbox

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

Totally agree, round my way
Starlings have drastically declined. As with House Sparrows it is easy to miss species like this as even though they can still be fairly common numbers are seriously down overall.

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello Ellie and wellcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[tehri]

From a bird lover who happens to have a strong nose!

😋