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Thread: Dirty squatters

  1. #1
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Dirty squatters

    Got these little bastards in my shed.
    I don't mind, even if they have shat all over my tools.
    I'm trying not to disturb them if I can help it.

    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  2. #2
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  3. #3
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    The shed is open under the eaves, which has never bothered me before. I also thought it was good for ventilation. Might have to have another rethink though. I've always had martins/swifts under the eaves of the house and felt bad last year when I had to knock their nests down to replace the fascia boards and soffits etc. I put up four artificial swifts/Martin houses (always get the two mixed up. I'm pretty sure they are not swallows though) when I fitted the new soffits. I even put shitter boards under the new nest housings to catch the crap. They are pretty prolific crappers. The back side of the crappers stands out slightly from the wall to allow hiding space for bats, which we also have around the house in spring/summer. Of course, the new houses have remained empty and one nesting pair has taken up in the shed, presumably because I destroyed the old habitat.
    Last edited by seikopath; 5th July 2017 at 15:15.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  4. #4
    Master
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    Nice pics.

    I had to kill a swift the other day unfortunately. Was kind of funny but a shame at the same time. Had them nesting on edge of the house roof, mrs goes out to her car and one of the little ones decides it's time for maiden flight... boom straight into her forehead! Knocked itself silly.

    I tried to revive it but after several hours it's breathing was terrible and was coughing up blood so dispatched it.

    Queue lots of ribbing for next few days about whether she's nutted any poor little baby birds to death lately.

    Did creep me out though as it had a fair few louse flies on it, had to google what they were. Hideous things, come scuttling out from behind their feather like a cross between a tick and a fly and as hard to kill as a tick! Poor blumin things, must be horrible with that stuff running around all over you.

  5. #5
    Master Shakespeare's Avatar
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    Similar here. This year we have 5 nests under eaves at the front of the house. The martins/swifts are a sight to see swooping around but they poo on the cars which isn't ideal. Our two cats are desperate to climb out of the bathroom window when it's open but luckily they can't get to the nests. Sadly, I've found 2 dead chicks on the drive this year. I guess they fell from the nests.

  6. #6
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    I'm trying not to disturb them if I can help it.
    Can't you just move into one of your other sheds?

  7. #7
    Master wildheart's Avatar
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    Great pictures!

  8. #8
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    Can't you just move into one of your other sheds?
    That's not the issue. I've still got a hedge to sleep under. It's more a case of not being able to use my tools.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  9. #9
    These bloomin Slow-Worms seem to be getting everywhere

  10. #10
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    That's not the issue. I've still got a hedge to sleep under. It's more a case of not being able to use my tools.
    Do you use the crowbar often?

  11. #11
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Do you use the crowbar often?
    There's two on that hook if you look carefully. I do have a small prybar somewhere else as well.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  12. #12
    Grand Master
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    The look like Martens, I've got two of the buggers plastered on the front of my house and the racket they make every few minutes has to be heard to be believed. I'm just delighted that numbers seem to be be building up again after a long gap. Splendid pictures there!

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  14. #14
    Master
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    A real treat - great pics :)

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by seikopath View Post
    There's two on that hook if you look carefully. I do have a small prybar somewhere else as well.
    Those bars are probably what they used to break in to your shed, no shame some birds...

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    Can't you just move into one of your other sheds?
    it is against the law to touch any nesting bird, I'm reporting you to Eddie and Mick P

  17. #17
    Grand Master
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    They're lovely.
    Leave them be and stop housebreaking til they're grown up.

  18. #18
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

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