Birds nest in Chimney

Birds nesting on exterior

Have you recently noticed twigs or feathers at the bottom of your fireplace? Has smoke entered back into the room when lighting the fire for the first time in a while? If so, it is very possible that over the nesting season, which runs from 1st March until 31st August, Jackdaws have found a home in your Chimney. Jackdaws are the most common culprit for building bird nests in Chimneys.

A Chimney Sweep can determine if you do have a birds nest in the Chimney, if so, it is essential to remove before lighting the fire. The dangers of a birds nest include:

Carbon monoxide – it will prevent the release of harmful fumes which will be unable to escape.

Chimney fire – twigs and wood are highly flammable, a spark from the fire could set the nesting material alight.

Structure of chimney – a bird nest can rot inside a chimney, which can affect the brickwork. 

Removal of the nest:

Once a nest is identified, the next step is to ensure it is the correct season to do so. From the start of September to the end of February, a Chimney sweep can begin to remove. Birds are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

We have seen birds nest vary massively in size, from a handful of twigs, to multiple dumpy bags full of twine, twigs, soil, rope and more blocking the chimney. They can cover the full length of the chimney and take many hours to clear.

CCTV check

Once fully cleared, a CCTV check needs to be conducted to ensure the chimney is completely clear, with no twigs or remaining material stuck on ledges or corners internally. Specialist equipment helps to confirm this. Followed by a smoke test, to ensure there is now free passage for smoke out the top of the stack.

Bird cowls and guards are a highly recommended installation to prevent the birds entering from the beginning.

Once again, it is essential that a bird nest in a chimney is removed prior to lighting the appliance.

At Cove and Country Sweep we carry the correct equipment and expertise to safely remove the birds nest and get your appliance back to its former glory.

We cover the county of Dorset, South West England - book a sweep on: 01929 400216 or 07512 451297

Book a Sweep