How to tell if you’re housing a nest of sparrow squatters

A UK bird’s nesting season starts in spring. However, human activity and urban building have reduced available spots. This means birds might choose your home to build their nest. 

Birds and their nests are protected by law, so if a bird nests in your home, you can’t do much until they leave. But if you’re curious about whether you have some feathered renters, there are signs to look out for that suggest you might. 

When do birds begin nesting? 

With the arrival of spring, so begins the nesting season for birds all over the UK. Birds scout for locations, delivering supplies to their chosen spot in preparation for their eggs.  Some UK bird species nest earlier and some, like the wood pigeon, nest all year round. 

Birds that begin building their nests earlier are in a better position when finding construction materials. Global warming has led to birds laying their eggs earlier, also affecting nesting times.  

What do birds look for when nesting?

Nesting birds look for spaces that offer safety and shelter. Ultimately they need protection from predators and warmth from the elements. Easy access to food also helps. 

Roofs with missing or loose tiles leave small openings for birds to enter and provide an ideal environment for nest building. Small gaps in eaves, vents and soffits are also attractive for birds looking to nest. Their cosy space and high security mimic the tree holes birds typically settle in to lay their eggs. 

How do I know if a bird is nesting in my home?

• Sounds of chicks, chirping, or constant rustling in the attic, roof, or behind walls.

• Visible twigs, leaves, grass, or feathers around roofline, vents, or in the fireplace.

• Large amounts of droppings on ledges, balconies, or below eaves and vents.

• Birds constantly flying in and out of a specific spot, especially if they’re carrying food. 

• Displaced, moved, or damaged roof tiles, or holes in eaves.

• An increase in flies inside the home can indicate a dead bird or an old nest.

What type of birds nest in people’s homes?

These are the birds to look out for if you suspect you have a nest somewhere in your home:

• House sparrow

• Starling 

• House martin

• Swift

• Robins

• Blue tits

• Pigeons

What to do if birds are nesting in your home?

In the UK it’s illegal to remove an active bird’s nest in your home. And under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, you cannot intentionally take, damage or destroy any active wild bird’s nest.

So if you find yourself with some ornithologic squatters you have to allow the chicks to leave the nest in their own time before attempting to remove a nest or block the entrance to it.  

Once the nest is deserted consider calling a professional in bird control to remove the nest, as after they have found a location they tend to return annually. 

If you plan on carrying out construction work in the next year, or the birds have nested in a dangerous area, like the chimney, have the nest removed and call a professional to recommend preventative measures. 

Human activity is pushing wildlife out. Our actions have given birds no choice but to share our space. If you want them out of your home we have to work to protect theirs. Do what you can to foster green spaces and make environmentally conscious decisions.

If you live in an area with large populations of birds and little green space, consider providing our feathered friends with a nesting box to set up home in. 

Final thoughts

While having bird nests in your home can be inconvenient, it can also be a great opportunity to observe and learn more about them. 

They play a huge part in our eco-systems so having a bird nest in your home is a rare and exciting prospect. By not disturbing them you’re doing your part to protect the UK wildlife.