House renovation vs bird

79 replies

Tweetybye · 03/05/2026 11:41

Currently doing building work, and just discovered a starling nesting on the wall due to be knocked through. Builder says he’d take care of it. Implying he’d move to neighbouring tree and let them ‘sink or swim’.

Technically illegal but cant say I’m too bothered given the number of rabbits, pheasants hit with the car, ant nests and other bugs destroyed over the years.

Curious to how many people would actually stop building work for months, delay kitchen, window, door installations, delay electrician/plumbers on a whim all down to a single bird? Shedding any moral postulating I’m curious to what people would actually do in this situation if it was them.

YABU: stop work immediately
YANBU: what bird? Leave the builder be

OP posts:

MagpiePi · 03/05/2026 12:06

Starlings take about 5 weeks to fully fledge so it’s not going to be ‘months’.

You’d be the first person in history that had a building project that ran absolutely to clockwork, and personally, I wouldn’t have much confidence in a builder that is prepared to blatantly break the law.

HelpMeGetThrough · 03/05/2026 12:06

I’d be leaving it to the builder, not a chance I’d be delaying.

Carrottttttttts · 03/05/2026 12:02

What are you hoping to get from this post?
people agreeing it’s ok to disregard wildlife if it gets in the way of what they want to do?
or praising your moralless builder for not holding up your precious work?

MsGreying · 03/05/2026 11:59

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/birds-nests-and-nestboxes/birds-in-the-roof
If you find an active birds’ nest in your home, it’s illegal to remove it. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy any active wild bird's nest in the UK.
Instead, you must allow the chicks to leave the nest before taking any action to remove a nest or block an entrance to it.
Don't start building work on your home if you know birds are nesting, and if you do discover a nest during construction, it is best to leave it alone where possible. If construction work can’t be paused until the young have flown the nest, contact Natural England/Nature Scot/Natural Resources Wales/Daera for advice.

What to Do if Birds are Nesting in your Roof or Eaves

If you suspect birds are nesting in your roof or eaves, read our guide before attempting to remove them. Also find tips on deterring nesting birds in the future

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/birds-nests-and-nestboxes/birds-in-the-roof

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