First time for me

So after what, 11 years of wood burning, this happened last week.




We heard a bird feeding it’s young in that direction and sure enough a starling flew out. So I, like a dummy, throw a couple noodles in the stove hoping to smoke them out. No bueno. So I go up and have a look. damm it! Cutting that big ugly maple down across the street made them migrate to my stack!
So I removed the top section to clean it out. The smoke did get to the young. I don’t feel any remorse for starlings. Nasty nest robbers they are. Pulled out the material and it had to be at least 10” of packed tight stick/straw/stuff!! Nesting went up to my hand in the second pic. Unreal.

So now I might need to find something to prevent this from happening again. Any ideas? I’d rather not go up twice a year to cover and uncover.

 

Much as I hate the stuff, a length of 3/4" sq mesh around the top prevents the intrusion - course it does load up and needs to be cleaned if not removed at start of burn season.

 

got to be small enough mesh they can't get through. yes i clean from bottom up . I do not have a mesh on mine at the current location. Previous location I would remove at start of burn season - replace in spring- but that was a low ranch roof. Current place is very steep floor of attic to peak inside is at least 15 ft. total flue length is just shy of 30ft, stove is on main floor.

 

I was concerned about whatever I use loading up w creosote. I clean from top down with rods typically.

 

This...or I'm not so sure its even called screen...perforated metal I think, in stainless.
My caps have holes big enough that some birds could get through, but they don't seem to mess with it...and its not so restricted that it gathers buildup causing draft issues. I've had that in the past though, 1/2" holes I think it was...too small for sure!
Mine looks kinda like this...only the holes are more square.

 

2 90’s at about ground level, stove is in basement. Then 2 slight elbows high up to get around the roof edge.

 

Thanks! Gives me some direction to look towards.

 

I have a very small space under the T outside to catch soot. I could drop a rope down and pull up for cleaning but no way to push something that way.

 

Could starting a smoke fire every week during nesting season take care of the issue? I'm no fan of anything that has you up on the roof too often. I'll hire it done before taking avoidable risks. Those who get up on roofs and chimneys professionally are usually safe at what they are doing.

 

My roof isn’t very steep at all but I really don’t like walking on the shingles. Not sure but I’d venture to say they could plug it up in less than 5 days. I’m right beside fields that get used for stray and hay so the materials are very plentiful and close.

 

I like where this is heading...

 

So tell me, how do I invite starlings to nest in my flue!? Lol!

 

Mm mm smoked baby starling! Apple wood?