Thank you for the info Russ! They are unbelievably tenacious, its unreal!! I assume that the hardware cloth is strong enough to keep them out? It sure doesn't seem like it. They are flying all around the house as well. You know your Starling behavior, that's for sure.

Just as you predicted, the birds have come back to nest a second time. However, I had a company come out & clean out the vent holes & cover them with hardware cloth. It sounds as though the birds are desperately trying to get in (and making as much noise as they did when they lived there the first time). Any idea of when they'll get the message & move on?? I sppreciate all your help with this...

hee, hee. mine too!

Wow! Thanks for the great info. Any idea when they might be ready to move on (or how I can help them move on?)

They have nested in those little holes/vents underneath the roof of my house, so I have no idea what the nest looks like although there are little bits of what looks like grass poking out. The adults look dark to me. I do remember going through this last year and saying to myself; 'now when they leave, make sure I get someone up there to put chicken wire over the holes so I won't go through this again'. Oops.

Hey Andrea - Greg Nolton came over last Friday and he was wonderful (just as you described) - very patient and understanding and clear. Salt-o-the-earth kinda guy. Thank you so much!

Hi Andrea: I spoke with Greg Nolton and he has to be one of the nicest people! He spent 20 minutes on the phone with me and gave me two other companies to call because they don't come over to the island. He was unbelievably kind - he told me to speak with them and describe my problem and if they wouldn't come over, or I didn't feel comfortable with what they tell me, I was to call him back (which I did this morning). He is coming over here on Friday to look at the problem!
I am so hoping that he will be able to help with this once and for all, and I thank you so much for your help with this.

Thanks John- I had my sewer checked almost immediately (and pumped just in case) and they didn't find anything. I have calls into specialty contractors and think I may have to have a French Drain put in.

I have checked with my neighbors and my county water guys to check for broken/leaky pipes. No go. One of the city engineers did a well water level check and found a 2.5feet increase. Good info to have, but that still doesn't tell me why I am still taking on water - EVEN WHEN ITS NOT RAINING!!! I have some GCs coming over soon (I hope) to weigh in on the problem. Thanks tho...

Thanks Andrea - I would love to use your name - do I need your last name, or will they remember? I am really hoping they can help......and will ask them for a recommendation is they don't work in my area. Thanks again - you are very kind.