The other day I did a post about a bird nest in a light fixture.  In that post I discussed how common it was to find birds taking up residence in homes in all kinds of places.

It is very common to see holes in siding, whether made by woodpeckers or from where insulation has been blown into the wall or from other causes.  Birds will often take advantage of these holes as a place to build nests.  They will make small holes bigger and sometimes even make holes where none were before.  Way up off the ground, nesting in the siding of a home, it is very little different than a hole in a sand cliff.  One could imagine how a bird might figure this to be a very safe place to make a home.

The problem is those dang “unintended consequences.”  Building owners don’t like these holes in the siding and usually repairs will be undertaken to keep the birds out.

As you can see in this first picture there are two holes that have been patched with screening and one of the screens has since been damaged by birds so that they could again have access to the hole.  These holes were approximately 20 feet above the ground---not as easy to get to by those determined to keep the birds out of the building as it is for those determined to build a home there.

You can't keep me out of my home 

Because I had to zoom way-in to get this close-up picture, I was afraid that taking the picture from a “hand-held” position that the picture might be a little out of focus.  So I steadied the camera against a post and snapped another shot. 

It was not until I got home and looked at the two pictures on the computer that I could see that there was not much difference in quality between the two ..

Yes, I am home---leave me alone!

…..except that the homeowner, a starling, was obviously “home” in the second picture.

 

Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Seattle Home Inspector

Click on the Rose A Group by any other name. to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group

PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)sunsmileall pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.

My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.

Just quack on me to subscribe

 

The Human Rights Campaign   QR code for Charles Buell Inspections Inc  ASHI.org


WA State, Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

 
Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector on 06/10/2012 06:30 AM   Comments (15)   ActiveRain Community in the ActiveRain Channel   starlings, birds  
Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: Whose home is it anyway?
Short URL: http://actvra.in/Cj2
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: WeBlog Anything (almost)!
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: BananaTude

15 Comments on Whose home is it anyway?

JUN
10
1,499,368 Points 353 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charles...

What an awesome "catch!" That rascal is bound and determined to stay.
6:35am • #1
728,466 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Charles - I had problems with starlings living in woodpecker holes when I lived in the mountains, and I discovered that starlings are mimics. The one in the wall just above my bed could do great horse imitations all night long.
6:43am • #2
565,608 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Great catch!!  Once a critter has taken up residence it's hard to get them to move.  We have chipmunks who have burrowed down beside out drainage pipes and we've tried to deter them, filled in the hole, filled it with debris, filled it with rocks and still they manage to clear it out.  We've given up, they really aren't hurting anything and they are cute to look at (albeit destructive).
6:45am • #3
317,758 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

LOL!  You certainly did find someone at home!  It's amazing the difference between the two photo's.  Nice job Charles!!!
6:59am • #4
1,054,408 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great Shot!  I just had buyers who were scared of a cedar siding home due to the little hole homes in them....
7:07am • #5
916,948 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard, I am pretty sure these were holes made by flickers that the starlings then took over.

Dick, starlings can really make a mess and can be as obnoxious as crows

June, each generation keeps trying to come back it seems

Laura, thanks---I was pretty surprised to see the critter in the picture when I got home

Kristin, woodpeckers do like cedar siding that is for sure
7:15am • #6
213,894 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great catch, great photo! Nice of the little resident to come out for his/her starring role. I had a similar issue with my home and all I can say is that starlings are relentless little creatures. They just don't give up!
8:56am • #7
544,688 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Charles. Thanks for the photos and telling us the difference between one nd the other. Birds love to nest wherever they can.
10:01am • #8
356,510 Points 27 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That's one persistent bird! It must have been quite an effort to break the wire and tuck them all back flush with the wood siding. Got to admit though, they have a pretty nice place and very defensible! 
11:07am • #9
974,315 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That little fellow was just coming out for a breath of fresh air.  He saw you and posed.  No so different than the lady, um, model in your previous post!
12:15pm • #10
508,343 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Birds sure can be determined.  The worst place I've had a bird build a nest was in my grill.  Unfortunately, I didn't discover the nest until it was full of eggs and baby birds.  I've been very carefull to make sure all openings of the grill are compltely sealed when not in use during the spring!
1:09pm • #11
916,948 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Suesan, he or she does look kind of cute there :)

Valerie, it is kind of their mission in life I think

Rene, I know what you mean---smart enough to pound it all in so that there are no sharp edges to ruffle their feathers

Jay, exactly the same thing :)

Rob, isn't that the all new "self-loading" grille? :)
1:17pm • #12
292,716 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Charlie, The intruder was BUSTED! Now that you ID'ed em it time to take down to the clink ; )
4:04pm • #13
227,617 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charles -- we just noticed that the birds have taken up residence at our office.  Part of the soffit is missing, and they have built their next next to the light fixture in the hall, about 12 feet in from the exterior wall.
8:36pm • #14
JUN
14
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Nice shot!
6:25pm • #15


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Froggie2 Ambassador_large

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Seattle, WA

More about me…

Charles Buell Inspections.com

Address: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Lynnwood, Bothel, Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Renton, King County, 17123 22nd Ave NE, Shoreline (Seattle), WA, 98155

Office Phone: (206) 478-7371

Cell Phone: (206) 478-7371

Email Me

My blog is intended to provide information related to home inspections in Seattle, surrounding communities and anyone else interested. Sometimes I will provide information that has nothing to do with home inspections. Enjoy!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate on ActiveRain.