A Bird In The Stove is Worth Two In The Bush

I went into the lounge to remove the ashes in the stove when I noticed something moving around in the stove. It was a bird.



I did have a fire last night but it is warm here today, 21C, so I let the fire die last night before I went to bed. There were no coals at all in the stove and that was a good thing for the little creature. I snapped the photo and then got to work helping it escape its confinement. First thing was to have open windows and doors in case it managed to get out into the house. Then I opened the door wide but it stayed in the back corner. I carefully grabbed the bird and took it outside and released it, it flew off into the trees none the worst for the ordeal.

I need to get some screen on the chimney cap; Selkirk could have included it but I see they offer it separately. Nesting time is approaching so this will certainly be repeated if I don't get the screen in place.

 

I used to get bluebirds and starlings each spring until we replaced the cap with one that has a mesh around the entire perimeter. The kids always loved the bird releases as sometimes they got loose to fly about the house until they found the open windows.

 

I have nothing on hand at the moment to cover the cap. However, I guess this needs to be at the top of the list.

 

Had the same thing happen a couple summers ago only instead of a bird, it was a bat.

As BS suggested, hardware cloth is all you would need. Only thing is, it can clog up with buildup, so if you do choose to go that route, pay very close attention to it. Neighbors clogged up just about completely! (wet wood)

 

25 years here , only had 1 bird in the stove, no screen

 

I get a few every spring. Usually Bluebirds.
Kimberly at least your glass looks nice and clean.

 

I'd rather have birds than wasps.

 

Kimberly dobyou have a liner or pipe? What is your setup like? I ask because I might have a chimney cap in my barn that you can have. Let me know what your set up is and if you want it.

 

I have the SelKirk stainless insulated Supervent pipe. I have a chimney cap that came in the kit but it has no screen on it.

 

Yes, I was thinking about that as well, wasps will be building this spring as well if I don't get a screen in place.

 

Yes, I am burning better now.

 

Bats are not good, they can carry rabies.

 

I have found that a spray foam glass cleaner works well. The foam stays put and I let it soak a bit and then wipe with a paper towel. Then I dry it well with another paper towel.

 

found a black bird in my clean out this fall, don't know how long it was in there. it was dried out.

 

+1 on quick clog up potential

I think this is the one I have. I have never had a problem with wasps, but I suppose anything is possible.
http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Homesaver 5/8":9"_

 

My screen won't stop them. Only had a few make it into the house.

 

All the years that Ive burned Ive never had a bird and have a cap but no screen. I bet it depends on location as it sounds like many have had this issue. Glad the bird survived its ordeal!