PEOPLE tempted by the fine weather to start outdoor DIY projects are being asked to hold back until September – to protect bird chicks which might till be in their nests in buildings or nearby trees and bushes.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is appealing to anyone considering maintenance work to hold off for a few weeks until young birds have flown the nest and can fend for themselves.

Replacing roof tiles, having new windows fitted or cleaning your gutters could all disturb birds nesting in or around your house. If you can wait until at least September you will allow them a quiet and safe period to raise their young.

The RSPB’s Richard James pleads: “We’re not trying to dictate to people when they can complete home improvements but we are asking them to consider waiting for a while where possible. In just a few weeks most birds will be past the sensitive stage of being in the nest and will be out in the big wide world.

“If you’re arranging to have work done over the summer please try and do it later rather than sooner!

“If you have already got birds nesting in your roof please leave the entry area well alone. We hope people will have some patience with the noise – they will be out of there soon and you’ll have weeks of entertainment with the chicks.

“Please don’t be tempted to block up any holes or clear out the nest – this would likely mean that chicks will starve to death as the adults won’t be able to get in to feed them.”

The species most likely to nest in roofs include house sparrows, starlings, swifts and house martins. All of these species are declining which the RSPB hopes will be further reason for homeowners to delay their home improvements.