Chimney safety guide

How to Stop Birds Nesting in Your Chimney

The signs to look out for, what the law says about removing a nest, and how to stop birds coming back.

Book a chimney inspection Call 0330 133 2121

Why birds nest in chimneys

A chimney is warm, sheltered and hard for predators to reach, which makes it ideal for nesting birds. Jackdaws are the usual culprits in the UK: they drop sticks down the flue until they wedge, then build on top. A single jackdaw nest can fill several feet of flue and block it completely.

If a stove or fire is lit under a blocked flue, smoke and carbon monoxide have nowhere to go but back into the room. Dry nesting material can also catch fire.

A blocked chimney is dangerous. If you think birds have nested in your chimney, don't light the fire until it's been checked.

Signs birds are nesting in your chimney

Any one of these is a reason to get the chimney checked.

Noises

Scratching, fluttering or chirping from above the fireplace, often at dawn.

Poor draw

Smoke drifting into the room, or the fire struggling to light or stay lit.

Debris

Twigs, straw, feathers or droppings falling into the grate or onto the stove baffle.

Smells

A damp, musty or unpleasant smell from the fireplace, even when it isn't lit.

Is it legal to remove a bird nest from a chimney?

The short answer: not while it's in use.

Active nests are protected

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it's in use or being built. The penalty can be an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.

When a nest can be removed

Most birds nest between March and August. Once the young have fledged and the nest is no longer in use, it can be legally removed. In practice that's usually from late summer onwards.

Why prevention is better

If birds move in, you may have to leave the chimney unused for months. A bird guard fitted outside nesting season avoids the wait altogether.

How to prevent birds nesting in your chimney

Fit a bird guard or cowl
A mesh bird guard or combined cowl stops birds getting in while still letting smoke out. The right type depends on your pot and appliance. See cowls and bird guards.
Check before nesting season
Get the chimney swept and checked in late winter, before birds start building in spring. That's also the best time to fit a guard.
Deal with unused flues
Birds prefer quiet, cold chimneys. Cap flues you never use with a ventilated cap, or fit bird guards to them too.
Act on noises early
If you hear birds in the chimney in early spring, call a sweep straight away. Before eggs are laid, there's often still time to deal with it.

What to do if a nest is already there

Don't light the fire. Smoke can't escape past a nest, and it's also illegal to harm nesting birds.
Don't try to remove it yourself. Apart from the law, working on a roof or pushing rods into a nest can bring debris down the flue.
Book an inspection. We'll confirm whether there's a nest and whether it's still in use.
Removal, sweep and guard. Once the nest is no longer active, we remove it, sweep the flue, smoke-test it and fit a guard so it doesn't happen again.

Think birds have moved into your chimney?

We'll check it, tell you where you stand legally and stop it happening again.

Book an inspection Call 0330 133 2121

Quick answers

Can I light a fire to get rid of birds in my chimney?

No. If the nest is active, it's illegal to harm the birds, and a blocked flue can push smoke and carbon monoxide into your home.

When is the best time to fit a chimney bird guard?

Late autumn to late winter, after nesting has finished and before birds start building again in spring.

How much does bird nest removal cost?

It depends on the size of the nest and access to the chimney, so we quote after checking it. Nest removal usually goes with a standard sweep (£95) so the flue is fully cleared and certified.