Birds Nesting in Your Roof: What Devon HomeownersNeed to Know

Spring and early summer fill Devon gardens with birdsong — but if that chirping is coming from inside your roof, you may have unwanted lodgers. Gaps under tiles, in soffits and behind fascias make warm, sheltered nesting spots, and once birds move in they can cause far more trouble than their size suggests.

Here is what every homeowner should know;

How birds get into your roof.

Birds are opportunists, and an ageing or poorly maintained roof offers plenty of ways in. The
most common entry points are:
• Missing, slipped or cracked tiles
• Gaps where the soffits meet the wall
• Open or damaged eaves and rotten fascia boards
• Worn or lifted flashing around chimneys and joints
Starlings, house sparrows and pigeons are the usual culprits, squeezing through surprisingly small gaps to reach the sheltered space beneath your tiles.

Know the law before you act
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or is in use, or to disturb nesting birds. In practice that means once a nest is active you must usually wait until the chicks have fledged and the nest is empty before removing it or sealing the gap. Some species carry additional protection. This is exactly why prevention is best carried out outside the breeding season, rather than scrambling to react once birds have already settled in.
The damage nesting birds can cause
• Blocked gutters and downpipes from nesting material, leading to overflow and damp
• Droppings that corrode materials and pose a health risk
• Displaced or compacted insulation, reducing your home’s energy efficiency
• Knock-on pest problems such as mites, insects and parasites
• Persistent noise and mess in the loft

Humane prevention done right.

The good news is that you can keep birds out without harming them, provided the work is timed
correctly. Effective measures include bird combs fitted under ridge and eaves tiles, eaves guards, mesh over vents, and simply repairing the entry points that let them in. The key is to seal those gaps only once you are certain no active nest remains inside.

When to call a professional
Working at height around roof edges is risky, and getting the timing or method wrong can mean breaking the law or, worse, leaving birds trapped. Exeter Roofing can inspect your roof, identify every entry point, and bird-proof it safely and legally outside nesting season — protecting your home for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it illegal to remove a bird’s nest from my roof?
   Yes, if it is active. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 you cannot remove or disturb a nest that is being built or is in use. You must wait until it is no longer occupied.
2. What time of year should I bird-proof my roof?
   Outside the breeding season — generally autumn through to late winter — once you are sure any nests are no longer in use.
3. What damage can nesting birds actually cause?
   Blocked gutters, corrosive droppings, displaced insulation, secondary pest infestations, and ongoing noise and mess in the loft.
4. How do birds get into a roof in the first place?
   Through gaps under tiles, openings where soffits meet the wall, damaged eaves and fascias, and worn flashing around chimneys.
5. Can I bird-proof the roof myself?
   Small jobs may be possible, but roof-edge work is hazardous and the timing is legally sensitive. A professional roofer is the safer and more reliable choice.