Bird in a chimney

NorthNineteen

So I was in my bedroom and heard some rustling in the fireplace (which we had previously blocked up with newspaper to stop any draft).  Noticed a bit of paper missing and then a blackbird (or something similar) stuck it's beak out at me.  Scarred the living daylights out of me.  I've now re-put newspaper back in the hole but have no idea what to do.  I presume if it founds it's way down there it must be able to get back out....? Is this normal for chimneys? Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Detritus

You could write a song about it. Or call rent a kill that might be a option.

Sutent

@N19. Please don't murder the bird

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miss annie

It's probably fallen down and can't get out. Unblock the chimney open the window and close the door. Give it a couple of hours and hopefully it will find its way out of either the chimney or window.

Perflexed

Also, when the little bird has hopefully made it's safe exit - don't just block up your chimney again, that draught is helping to prevent rot and damp developing, which, if it does, will eventually attract less desirable lifeforms.

NorthNineteen

Chimney unblocked, window open, everything that I could move has been moved.  Now lets hope the bird makes it escape.  While I was taking away the paper it was flapping away, it's huge.<div><br></div><div>@stutent: what makes you think I'm going to murder a bird!?</div><div><br></div>

miss annie

Is it a blackbird? They aren't big. More likely a crow? They are extremely clever and great at problem solving. If it's a crow it will make an escape.

gardener-joe

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NorthNineteen

I think it may have been a crow - it was all black with a black beak.  Thought I may have seen a flash of white too so possibly a magpie.

miss annie

If all black a crow, you'd notice a lot of white, and blueish colour with a Maggie. Either way, both crow family so will likely get away sharpish.

NorthNineteen

So after 4 hours of leaving the room with window open etc. the magpie is still there - I think it's too big to get out the hole.  So i've put paper back in the hole as my wife wants to go to bed.  It's quite a nice tiled victorian fireplace so don't want to rip it out to enlarge the hole - any other suggestions what to do?

miss annie

Call the RSPCA, although they may not come tonight.

gardener-joe

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NorthNineteen

Your comment about HItchcock is going to give me nightmares tonight! 

Ali

If itis  a Maggie my 9 year old son suggests that you pu ta ring on the widow sill !

Sutent

@N19 what happened with the bird?

NorthNineteen

I don't know, I flashed the torch up there this morning and no sign of it - no noise either.  Could it have got out? Either that or it's dead in nook/cranny.<div><br></div><div>@ali good suggestion, i'll see how Mrs N19 feels about putting her wedding ring there!</div>

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NorthNineteen

It was very large - definitely not born in there.  I hope it did fly out as if it died I think it's going to be difficult to remove...