Totally O/T, but you might be able to help

Got any small children? A set of drain rods?

MBQ

A cat?

It's probably a jackdaw. We've had them done our chimney several times in the past and they are into nest building full swing at the moment. Last time it happened it must have found its own way out as the sweep never found any remains. Actually, you'd be amazed at how far down a chimney they nest. Our flue has two near right angle bends in it (it has an almost horizontal stretch in the middle) and before we got a wire mesh on the chimney the jackdaws were building a nest on the horizontal part right on the edge before the final drop. Unsurprisingly, they kept falling over the drop, but must have always made their way back up again. Anyway, from chimney top to nest must have been at least 10 feet vertically and six feet horizontally.

Ashley.

Gas fitters use a smoke bomb to check the chimney. This may urge the bird to leave. You certainly want it to leave upward under it's own steam.

I am sure you could rig up some smoke without lighting a fire.

Scimmy

Have you tried calling the RSPCA?

That is pretty funny though :-)

On 17/03/2006 14:31, crazy_horse snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk said,

I guess that rules out "One Flue Over The Cuckoo's Nest" then :-;

A flea and a fly in a flue Were wondering what to do. Said the flea, let us fly. Said the fly, let us flee. So they flew through a flaw in the flue.

Then a dog to catch the cat Ect. Ect .Ect.

A shotgun should do the job, humane and when you light a fire you might be able to have something fresh for dinner

On 17/03/2006 18:12, Christopher A. Lee said,

By 'eck - I haven't heard that for gawd knows how many years!!!

I've almost no idea, but will suggest something due to the derth of useful suggestions so far. Maybe a bamboo stick with a torch tied to the end might achieve something. You can attach stick to stick with tough tape to go as high as you need, the torch lights the way, plus it presents a flattish disc to the bird which could carefully push it upwards. But afaik birds cant fly directly upwards, so it would presumably need to come down. The torch would show you whats going on, eye goggles needed to look up of course. From then on a bird sanctuary would be my next call, they may either know or help.

NT

But that's the problem - the bird can't fly out in the restricted space in a chimney, and it can't climb out either.

Jim.

Thanks for all the replies. I may resort to the RSPCA, as the bird started making faint noises that sounded supiciously like a gull. Unless there was one sitting on our roof at the same time, but there were none there when I went outside. I dont want a herring gull thrashing around the room, even if it can get out, which I doubt.

Speak to the RSPCA or RSPB.

Yes, thanks. I did. It turned out to be a wood pigeon, and seemed none the worse for its adventure, plus it seems to have cleaned out my chimney as a favour. It flew away quite strongly when let go in the back garden.

It may think twice before coming back, though.

Bird Flue confirmed in Britain...

Are you just bloody-minded by nature, or did you not read my first post?