We live in an old Victorian house built in 1903. Because of this we have three chimneys.
Well, due to rising costs of heating oil, Jet and I have been bouncing back and forth all of the different options for heat. Being that we payed at least $2000 this last SEASON to fill up our tank even though we keep our thermostat really LOW!
So the topic of our chimneys came up. Specifically, putting to use the two that we don't use...which previous owners happened to wall over. But Jet, the handyman, could easily make them usable again. Then, we could get a wood permit, cut and haul wood, and voila! "Free" heat.
The problem? Our government loves to make laws. Lots and lots of them. Laws about the way you build a deck. Laws about the way you do this and that. AND a law that happens to favor some birds that took up residency in our chimneys.
When I first saw them, I thought they were bats. Freaked me out. But Jet informed me that they were Chimney Swifts.
Oh okay. That's cute. And they live in our chimney? Huh. Isn't that quaint.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government aims to protect those birds. Those little feathered squatters that are living on my land. In my house. And keeping me from using our chimneys and saving money.
"Chimney Swifts are protected by Federal Law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Always keep in mind that "Bird Removal" is a blatant violation of the state and federal laws that protect Chimney Swifts and other migratory birds." http://www.chimneyswifts.org/
Unbelievable. Can someone please tell me how we have federal and state laws to save the Chimney Swifts, yet kill the unborn?! Anyone!?
I know I know...I'm not even delving into any of that. I'm just *frustrated* that we are UNABLE to remove any and all birds that happen to choose our chimney to house their nests. Yet we, the tax payers, are caught between a rock and a hard place trying to keep OUR FAMILY warm.
...YET, it never said we couldn't smoke them out. (of course, we're yet to read the fine print...it's probably there). But seriously? All the Animal Activists out there can dub me cruel, but I truly don't want to go broke paying heating oil costs so that a few birds can be comfy cozy. Would you?!!!
11 comments:
That is positively mind boggling.
We use a corn stove, fire place and a wood-burning furnace. If that was MY house - those birds would be gone, somehow.
All I can say is...I LOVE our wood heat. Hope you figure something out. ;)
What if you give the girls some musical instruments and let em go wild... right next to the chimney. :)
Hope you work something out. I hear ya about the cost of oil... we were wishing we had base board heat. How sad is that?!
I *never* knew there was ever such a law! Crazy! I dito the marching band at the bottom of the chimney...maybe it'll work, worth a chance. :-)
CrAzY CrAzy...what's next?!?!? They are cuter birds though...maybe you could encourage them to take up resident in a local tree or park if you offer to pay for moving expenses =)
I am always perplexed about the different laws and what is protected and what is not. I guess if you have a loud enough voice...What about a loud crack. Would that send them scurrying? How do you keep them out after you get rid of them? We live in Texas so I don't have many heating problems. Do you all have single payned windows? Good luck with the birds. The good news is spring is upon us and maybe you all can get something done between now and next winter...
seems to me...(and the usda seems to agree) you should wait until they naturally leave (sept I think) and then have KF come up and clean it out and install a chimney cap so they don't come back. ($.02)
Haa....I was just about to leave a comment that it's a shame you don't know someone who could help you out with chimney issues, then I saw Julie's post. Hmmmm..wonder who she's talking about? ;) Unfortunately, yours is a fairly common issue. People have begged & pleaded with "KF" to remove those little rascals from chimneys. He would love to but he feels trapped.
I agree with your assessment - unfortunately these birds are seen as far more valuable than human life by our gov't. Have mercy on us, Lord. We don't know what we're doing.
Unbelievable. My husband says, "Can't you just take their nest out and put a grate over the chimney?" And then: "Can't they just start using their chimney?"
Sheesh!
~Stacy
You have a lot of blessings in your life. Chimney swifts have only the instincts and little brains that God gave them! They cannot help seeking out proper nesting places, and when hollow trees are cut down, they look for the next best thing, as their nature tells them to.
Did you know they also eat thousands of mosquitoes and other bugs??????
Here is some help for your problem below -
This person knows all about chimney swifts and can probably help you –
DWA@austin.rr.com
Check out:
http://www.nwf.net/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=62&articleID=797
http://www.contech-inc.com/products/scarecrow/
Also -
I have a bird in my chimney?
Chimney swifts are small, swallow-like migratory birds, who, as their name implies, nest in chimneys. Swifts catch and consume hundreds (possibly thousands) of flying insects each day, especially mosquitoes. The lack of natural nesting sites (hollow trees), coupled with increased spraying against insects, have greatly decreased the number of chimney swifts in southwestern Quebec. Special nesting and roosting towers have been placed at Le Nichoir, and other areas, in an attempt to increase their number.
If you hear bird-like noises in your chimney (twittering, fluttering), it is likely that chimney swifts have built a nest in it. Chimney swifts are protected by federal law under the Migratory Bird Act. It is illegal to remove or disturb chimney swifts, their nests, eggs, or young during the breeding season.
Occasionally the nest might fall from the side of the chimney (to which it was attached) and fall into the fireplace, or (if the damper is closed), onto the damper. When this happens, the bird-noises will be much louder. Other birds (especially startlings) may also fall down the chimney occasionally.
If found in the fireplace below the damper and still clinging to the nest, simply pick up the entire nest and place it in a small box. If the babies are not in the nest, pick them up carefully, which special care to avoid damaging the legs and feet of the bird. Swifts have very long fragile nails, necessary for clinging onto rough walls. Place the birds in the holding container (box), which should have a non-looped cloth (i.e. not terry-cloth or toweling) placed in the bottom, to prevent their legs from sliding.
Young swifts which are not feathered, or are only partially feathered, can be returned in their nest/box to the chimney, if they can be placed near the top of the chimney where the parents can continue to feed them. If it is not possible to replace them in the chimney, they need to be care for at an experienced rehabilitation centre, so bring them to Le Nichoir as soon as possible, keeping them warm and in a quiet safe place until they can be transported.
If they are partially feathered and have their eyes open, the babies may be placed inside the chimney on the side of the wall, above the damper. If they do not cling to the side, they may be ill or injured, and should be brought to the centre.
The noise made by the birds may be muffled by wedging layers of insulation or other material in the fireplace directly under the damper.
If you're patient, and wait til the end of the season as someone else mentioned, you should be able to get rid of the nests and then cap the chimneys. Good luck -
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