Warning to homeowners with a chimney over when to stop using it
If your home has a chimney and a real fireplace, wood or log burner, you might be unaware there is a specific time that you cannot use it to heat your home.
A warning has been issued to homeowners with chimneys by the RSPB and they warn you cannot use your fireplace if you discover a bird's nest inside of your chimney. The charity has urged people to check for nesting birds this spring.
Many birds will build nests in the spring time, although some birds such as doves and pigeons are known to nest all year round.
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The Express reports that the RSPB are warning homeowners to have the chimney swept regularly and fit a guard - or cowl - to it to stop birds entering to nest.
The RSPB says: “It’s best to prevent birds nesting in chimneys – it reduces the risk of chimney fires, as well as avoiding injury to the birds and damage to their nest. You can do this by having chimneys swept regularly and by fitting a cowl to the chimney pot to prevent access.”
The charity warns: “If you have an active nest in your chimney, it must be left alone, with no fires lit until the nest is no longer in use. This is both for your safety, as well as that of the birds and their nest contents.
“Once the nest is no longer active, have the chimney sweep out and get a cowl fitted either by the chimney sweep or a builder.”
Sometimes, you might hear a bird stuck in your chimney that isn’t nesting. If that happens, wait until it’s night, then shine a light into your fireplace. The bird will fly towards the light, thinking it’s daylight, and you can then catch it in a sheet. Assuming it’s not injured, simply release it outside, then seal up your chimney.
If the bird is injured, the RSPB say you should contact the SSPCA in Scotland.
Shield Pest Control adds: “Whilst all bird species could choose to build nests in your chimneys, the most common species known to do this is a Jackdaw.
There are an estimated 1.4 million pairs of Jackdaws in the UK, and with so many birds flying around, it’s not surprising that some of them choose to make themselves at home in our chimneys.
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