Birds in my attic? (2 Viewers)

S

sciense

Member

• May 14, 2012

• #1

Hi,
I've noticed a knocking sound coming from the attic at about 5am the past few mornings. I thought I heard chirruping too (though I may be imagining this).
I wonder if there is a birds nest up there?
I can see a small opening in the exterior of the house (we're an end-of-terrace) underneath the roof.
I'm tempted to go up there and have a look but I don't want to disturb the nest if there is one.
What's the protocol?
Having said all this, the knocking is loud enough to wake me up every morning & I need all the sleep I can get!
Please advise!
Thanks.

 

B

birding maniac

Michael M

• May 14, 2012

• #2

If there is it would be illegal to disturb the birds. Sadly for your sleep you should wait until the Autumn and block the hole. Watch and see what species is using the hole and get a nest box to replace the lost nest site which is suitable for the species involved.

 

kennethwfd

Well-known member

• May 14, 2012

• #3

could also be squirrels or rats - the only way to be certain is to investigate. you might try watching, but if it is birds, all will go quiet after the nest is built, because they only lay one egg a day, then incubate, then things will get hectic as the young hatch and are fed

 

S

sciense

Member

• May 14, 2012

• #4

Thanks for the replies.
I wouldn't want to disturb a birds nest. When might the young hatch, if it is birds?
The noise I'm hearing is a regular 'tap tap tap tap tap tap tap', like a small hammer. Then some skittering about. No audible flapping of wings.
I don't mind disturbing squirrels for some reason (though I like them), but talk of rats makes me nervous.
I guess the best thing to do is to get up at 5am and go outside to watch the hole.

 

Twite

Well-known member

• May 14, 2012

• #5

sciense said:

Thanks for the replies.
I wouldn't want to disturb a birds nest. When might the young hatch, if it is birds?
The noise I'm hearing is a regular 'tap tap tap tap tap tap tap', like a small hammer. Then some skittering about. No audible flapping of wings.
I don't mind disturbing squirrels for some reason (though I like them), but talk of rats makes me nervous.
I guess the best thing to do is to get up at 5am and go outside to watch the hole.

Click to expand...

I agree with birding maniac. A replacement nestbox in the Autumn and you won't feel so bad about blocking them out. Unless it's one of these

Code:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/amc0720l.jpg

 

S

sciense

Member

• May 15, 2012

• #6

Ok, I'm not sure these are birds at all.
The house next door has been vacant for many months and is in need of renovation. I'm hearing scrabbling sounds as well as the aforementioned tapping. It's always at about 5-6 am.
I think this is a rodent problem.
I think I should go up there and see whether there are any droppings?

 

kennethwfd

Well-known member

• May 18, 2012

• #7

The tapping sound reminds me of a house I used to know where the roof tiles were wooden. Periodically a woodpecker would have a go, looking for food and disloge them.

As well as droppings, you could try putting bait in the attic and see whether it is taken. Important - when putting down rat/mouse bait, it should always be covered so it cannot be accessed by other animals