Birds Falling Down The Chimney - Best Way To Sort It

[joko]

in my boyfriends house there are birds falling down the chimney - young ones mostly.
he puts them out the window but obviously it cant continue, as he thinks they just fly back up to the 'entrance' an fall down again.

they seem to be able to get back up again, as at first they just fell into the room and were stuck, but he put a board over it and they would be there for a bit, then disappear again - presumably made their way back up.

obviously they gap in the chimney stack where they are getting in needs blocking - the guy who lives upstairs says he can hear them but hes not sure if they are in the roof space or just the chimney space

whats the best way to sort this problem?

pest control?

obviously we want to get the birds to leave before its blocked up, but how?

the fireplace is open but theres no grate etc and hasnt been used for an open fire in years.

we could light one, in a barbeque perhaps, perhaps every day for the next week or so - would that deter them? or burn them?
also not sure where theyre actually getting in and whether perhaps the chimney is blocked and theyre getting in through a whole in the roof...?

can anyone tell me the procedure?
i think the landlord would happily just send round a builder to seal the hole - but dont want the birds killed - or the flat full of flies and maggots etc
so would leave if possible

thanks

[Old_Geezer]

Can wire mesh not be put over the top of the chimney ?

In a previous house I used to live in, one day I decide to unblock the flireplace in the main bedroom. there was the remains of a bird there. They don't always make their way back up.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh and block any holes obviously. There surely ought not be any holes save for the expected one at the top. They'll go when someone is there cementing it up, or whatever.

[Zeuhl]

What OG said

and if there are other holes in the chimney, such as in the roof space, i hope no one is lighting fires!

[DTCwordfan]

There are specialist cowls that can go on the chimney - chimney-sweeps have them - not that expensive. If you can get up there safely, you can do it yourself.... http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/Colt_Cowls_Jackdaw_Birdguard.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=feedmanager&gclid=CNKiosyYn74CFdLHtAodnUEA0A

[The Builder]

Worth a read Joko....

http://www.dkgpestcontrol.co.uk/2014/04/12/bird-proof-chimney-cowl-installation/

[joko]

thanks all
they look like a good idea, cheap too.
just need to make sure theyre all out first

zeuhl, no, no fires, i was just wondering because the guy upstairs implied he could hear them scratching on the ceiling above his head.
it was probably a figure of speech but i will find out