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Protecting nest sites in roofs
We've put together some advice on protecting birds and their nest sites in your roof.
Have a look and see if birds are nesting in your roof and see where they are gaining access. if you can, please retain these existing access holes for them so they can continue to nest.
If you're planning to carry out masonry repairs, window replacements and roof extensions, consider whether the work may disturb nesting birds and bats, which are legally protected. It is actually illegal to intentionally destroy or disturb the active nest of any wild bird, or disturb and prevent access to bat roost sites. Click on the links to the right for more information.
If you find that you have to replace fascias and soffits that will cover existing holes, why not ask your builder to make a new hole and fit an internal box at the same point as the existing nest site? You can buy a swift nestbox by clicking on the link on the right. This could also be an opportunity to create new nest sites in the same way.
Avoid using timber preservation control when nesting birds are present (between March and August), as the fumes can kill them in the confined roof space. Bats are extremely sensitive to chemicals. If there is evidence that they may be present, seek advice from the Bat Conservation Trust, or your statutory conservation agency (Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage or Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland) before any work starts.
Make sure that any loft insulation work, whether new or upgrading, doesn't prevent birds gaining access at the eaves. The insulation material should not be pushed into the soffit and fascia area, as this obstructs the birds' point of entry - and impedes ventilation!
Last modified: 18 May 2010