Seagull spikes in a roof valley/gully advice needed

[Neil Egan]

Recently my gutter hopper became blocked by moss from the roof (15 year's worth, house built in 2006), causing water to back up along the valley and seep into both properties. My neighbour suffered more damage than I did.

We have had the hopper unblocked using a vacuum from ground level.

However, my neighbour is convinced that there was a seagull’s nest in the valley although there is no evidence to back this up. The clod removed from the hopper was almost like a solid clump of turf with no twigs or such like.

The neighbour wants to put seagull spikes along the 3 metre valley. I do not think this a good idea as the moss will just get caught in the spikes and cause more problems.

As you can see from the photo the valley is quite steep sided and therefore unsuitable for a seagull nest as the birds would have trouble landing and taking off

Has anyone had an experience of gulls nesting in such a valley and also what are your thoughts about the use of seagull spikes in it ?

Thanks

 

[KenGMac]

Neil Egan, good evening.

if there had been a nest in the valley, you and your neighbour will have been well aware of it, because these birds when nesting and especially if there are young will begin to "defend" their patch, meaning they will become aggressive towards people and other animals such as dogs and cats, also the noise at the nest site is pretty loud, morning noon and evening.

And I think you are correct, Seagulls would have difficulty in landing in such a confined area, most Seagull nests are on high flat roofs?

Ken.

 

[datarebal]

And on chimneys and behind svps. Spikes are not always of use against seagulls .
I've seen then use a length of spike to build the nest on top of. Wires or netting is best

 

[Neil Egan]

Many thanks for the replies, I will not be resorting to seagull spikes.