Birds Nesting UNDER Panels!

[SRE]

Just had a call from a customer letting us know that jackdaws are dropping sticks down the roof, getting caught and causing a blockage - anyone else had anything like this? I couldn't quite believe it! Then I started to think - smaller birds wouldn't have a problem getting under the panels and actually nesting when the weather isn't that warm....

 

[SRE]

Right - just been to look at this job and Jackdaws - yes Jackdaws!! are nesting under the Sanyo panels. Apparently the neighbour has watched them tucking their wings in and crawling underneath the panels - complete nest under the panels. We're thinking about putting the plastic spikes right round the panels to stop the birds getting in but now I'll have to check with Sanyo to see if their are any warranty issues with doing this.

Has anyone else had this problem?????

 

[whinmoor]

Have they actually caused damage to the panels and/or cables? Or are you most concerned about ventilation? Is there a potential fire risk? Can you post a photo of your solution?

 

[SRE]

Here you go - this is just part of what we found - apparently it's a real squeeze for them to get in but they are managing and were flying round the roof as we were dismantling the nest this morning. It's got to be a ventialtion and fire hazard I'd have thought.

2 bin bags full of sticks - conveniently stacked up against the rails!

 

[whinmoor]

It looks quite a shallow pitch. I guess the only solution is to guard the whole perimeter? I bet the birds were mad with you for destroying their nest. The panels have probably provided great shelter over the past couple of rainy weeks.

 

[SRE]

Believe it or not we've hardly had any rain but yes they were mad! Pitch is 30 degrees. Waiting to see what Sanyo have to say about voiding the warranty - wholesaler not particularly helpful to start off with, told me to use common sense.

 

[whinmoor]

Hope you didn't break the law ;-)

"It is illegal to intentionally disturb or destroy the active nest of any wild bird."

The RSPB: Advice: How can I stop birds nesting in my roof?

 

[SRE]

Well thanks for that - can things get any worse!!! No customers with D rated properties and now installations from last year causing us problems - made worse by the RSPB!!!!!

 

[SolarCity]

wholesaler not particularly helpful to start off with, told me to use common sense.

Which wholesaler was that?

 

[SRE]

I'll wait and see if they can be bothered to find a solution before I name them but I wasn't impressed. Strangely enough one of the wholesalers we had loads of hassle with in Nov/Dec last year have been really good about technical support in the last few months.

Apparently the nesting isn't unknown and is starting to come to light with a few installers. Solutions range from spikes, to gel, to mesh stuck with sealer to the roof tiles and even sirens for the roof (although these are expensive and none of the ones I've looked at cover more than 10m2 so the jackdaws would just go to the other side of the array or we have to buy 2)

Once I get some feedback from Sanyo I will let you know - just in case anyone else gets the same problem.

 

[Energetic]

A couple of cats chained to the rails at each end should do it. Doubt the RSPB would have a problem with that... You can get them for FREE at an animal shelter!

 

[Energetic]

We did a job earlier in the year for an avian charity. I emailed our man there to see if he had any ideas. See response below, not much help i'm afraid.

Sorry, Jackdaws are a nightmare and I don't know of any way of deterring them save extreme measures such as shooting which clearly I wouldn't condone. There may be some bird deterrent equipment such as spikes that may help but I couldn't vouch for their efficacy and the only thing you can do is periodically remove the build up of sticks (although you'd have to remove them/get rid of them/burn them to ensure they weren't available, as they'll continue to collect until they miss the breeding window). Clearly this is not always practicable for roof-mounted systems

There's probably some money to be made if you can find a reliable deterrent measure. It's a bugger, but there it is.

 

[solarsavings]

How about clamping another rail right at the top and sides it might close the gap enough to stop them getting under there.

 

[SRE]

We did a job earlier in the year for an avian charity. I emailed our man there to see if he had any ideas. See response below, not much help i'm afraid.

Sorry, Jackdaws are a nightmare and I don't know of any way of deterring them save extreme measures such as shooting

Might need a few more months target practice. I know an Olympic Archer, I wonder if I could persuade her ......

 

[JulianC]

Well, I never thought it would be a problem but there you have it. Am I the only one thinking it's wonderful to see birdies nesting under panels?

(Currently waiting for starlings to fledge from my soffits, before I contemplate my re-roof)

I was RSPB accredited waaaay before MCS ;-)