AIBU to ask the housing association to remove birds from my wall? And if I'm not BU, how can I make them do it?

[BirdwomanofAlcatraz]

There are birds in the outside wall of my bedroom. I first became aware a couple of weeks ago when I heard them scratting around in the early morning and saw them flying back and forwards, also that there is bird poo on the inside of my window.

I phoned the housing association and told them but they knocked me back on four fronts: 1) that they don't believe the birds are in the walls, I need to have footage of them going in and out of the wall (I'm on the third floor, they're quick, I've tried standing outside with my phone and pressing record but they're too quick for me, really I stood there for a long time like a crazy person but it's split second movements when they go in and out)
2) that the marks on the window are just marks. They're not just marks. It's actual bird poo dropping down the window on the inside
3) that there's a pandemic on. Yes I know this but this is an infestation and I am concerned if fleas etc are also dropping down the window
4) the birds are probably in the eaves. Well if they were I wouldn't be concerned, but they're not. They're in the space directly above my window. I have seen them with my own eyes going in and out and so have my neighbours. There is a gap in the wall that they're getting in and out of.

What can I do? I've submitted a complaint after they dismissed my request for maintenance but not heard anything. As far as I know landlords do still have a duty to ensure their properties are not infested, even at this time. I pay my rent every month and haven't asked for a repair before. This is driving me crazy.

@MitziK I don't know if they're in the roof or not. They're definitely in the space just above my windows in the bedroom though. Both of the windows have vents and the shit is dripping through those. Like I say, I've taped the vents up and am bleaching the area every day but the poo runs through the vents down the edges and onto the window. This bit of wall leads directly to the roof space, so who knows what's going on there.

Why are you so angry

@NorthernLass75 yeah it's not just cleaning. Off you pop, pet.

Shut the window maybe?

@crispysausagerolls because there's a lot of twats around. Haven't you noticed?

Just block up the vents properly, it's that simple. You don't need a professional operative to block up a vent.

Leave them, they will leave in a few weeks. You won’t die.

Not sure why your so angry about a bird doing what birds do

OP, do as others have suggested, and completely block your vent temporarily. Gorilla tape will do the trick.
uk.gorillaglue.com/gorilla-tape-white/

At the end of summer, when the chicks will have left the nest, you'll need to open up the vent, clear out the nest, block up wherever the birds are coming in then replace the vent. If they are c Ming in through the outside vent, you will need to put some very fine chicken wire over it securely, from the inside, so they don't get back in.
Don't not block the vent permanently or you'll get damp.

Oh, and stop being so rude.

@maneandfeathers because nesting lasts until autumn, and coronavirus lasts until time and if nothing gets done as a result of both of these things being in existence then my flat will be infested with fleas and other parasites long before the end of summer, sadly.

because there's a lot of twats around. Haven't you noticed?

I only see one.

However, the birds will hatch their young, if you weren't fuelled by anger and hatred you could enjoy watching nature because they will soon leave and you can block their nest.

We had birds nesting when we were going to get the outside painted, we delayed it until they left. There is no need to kill them.

You must be really unhappy to be so bitter about living creatures.

my flat will be infested with fleas and other parasites No it won't. Fleas and other parasites are host-specific. Bird fleas won't live on you. They'll just die if they're not on the bird.

I can only see one twat as well.

I can't believe how much shit you are getting for not wanting bird shit rolling down the inside of your bedroom window. It's such a pile on! Then people have the audacity to question your attitude

This place sometimes...

It seems that blocking the vent is a simple and cheap solution.
No more nails is very strong and works fast. Measure the vent and buy a piece of wood or plastic to cover it. Glue it on.
Not sure why you didn’t do that already tbh. If you want to pay someone to do it and claim it back from your landlord just get a receipt and photos of before and after.

@BirdwomanofAlcatraz I can see why you’re annoyed by this but unfortunately their hands are tied, the law is the law and they won’t be able to move the birds on until nesting season is over. All you can do in the meantime is limit the impact on yourself bu following some of the suggestions on here. Being angry isn’t going to change the law and it isn’t going to make the LA magic up a solution.

So the birds are not in the wall but have built a nest against the wall under the eaves like house martins do? Could you take a photo of the vents? Its a bit confusing?

my flat will be infested with fleas and other parasites No it won't be.

I can't believe so many people would be happy having bird shit rolling down the inside of your window.......I flipping wouldn't. And as to whether the birds are protected or not- again- graces running down your window. I can not believe anyone out unit this position would be so blasé about that- I certainly would not. Is there any way you o have someone access the loft and see if they are getting in there initially?

Even if the HA were willing to send out an operative, they wouldn't be allowed to remove the nest until the chicks have fledged.

You only have one choice and that is to block up the vent properly.

You can do that and solve your problem or you can continue to pointless fail at the HA.

I don't understand how is shot coming in through your window vents.

What birds are these? My wall sparrows hatched. I hope for 2 more nestings this year🤞

Nesting birds are protected by law. It's an offense to disturb them.

While bring up close and personal with nature is generally a privelege, bird poo isn't great. Although tbo, that does sound like a lot of poo from 2 birds, especially if the vent is already sealed.

Is it a swallow nest?

Solution for now is properly seal it. If it's sealed, poo won't get in. Most birds have a short nesting season.

Unless they are pigeons. They nest all year.

Ps I find bird watching quite calming. Good for stress and anger management.

SD1978

I can't believe so many people would be happy having bird shit rolling down the inside of your window.......I flipping wouldn't. And as to whether the birds are protected or not- again- graces running down your window. I can not believe anyone out unit this position would be so blasé about that- I certainly would not. Is there any way you o have someone access the loft and see if they are getting in there initially?

No one said they were happy with it, there is a very simple solution that the OP is not interested in because she wants to force her housing associations to do her bidding.
It’s not going to happen so the OP needs to get over it and block the vent from her side and forget about the HO getting involved for the moment.

because nesting lasts until autumn

This nest will not last until autumn OP. Its a few weeks and they'll leave. Then you can clog up the hole. Block the vent until then and get in with your life.

This literally wouldn't bother me, they're raising babies. Its not a big deal.