Chimney swift viewing

[gabriel....@gmail.com]

I would like to ask for advice on where and when one could view (and hopefully photograph) chimney swifts in a predictable location (i.e. a chimney).

Thank you!

Gabi Hauser

[Steve Long]

We have had A FEW Swifts in our chimney for the last few summers (since the cap blew off in a storm).

However, the roosting location is not the only issue for photography.  The Swifts will not likely be going in or out of the chimney during bright daylight hours unless they have babies to feed inside the chimney.  Otherwise, they will be going in and out only near dusk and dawn with any reliability.  We occasionally see them flying around nearby during the day, but those are not predictable for location/path and they fly FAST.

Background for photography is another issue.  In our case, the background is a large, leafy tree - so no silhouettes against a plain sky.  And the view is southerly, so no front lighting.

There is a place about an hour from here in Delaware where I used to see a large colony of Swifts entering the chimney of a large building in the evening, with bright sky for background.  They fly around in a flock near the chimney for tens of minutes, with many diving at the chimney and most swerving off, with a few going in on a pass.  I won't know for sure if they will be there again this year until I resume activities that are now restricted by the COVID pandemic.

Steve Long, Oxford

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[Stephanie Pendergrass Dalke]

Once they arrive (should be in about 1-2 weeks), they will be out feeding all day long and you'd need to figure out where they frequent for feeding or find a chimney they've chosen to nest in and I guess spend a lot of time staring at it (but of course don't disturb them in the chimney). In September, they have quite predictable large roosts in larger chimneys, but all the action happens right after sunset so lighting can be tricky.

[JAMES SPEICHER]

These roosts are vital to the birds... hope that goes without saying and not making accusations in any way shape or form.

Many roosts are in private buildings with the occupants totally unaware.

If there is a lot of birding associated with a site, it can lead very quickly to the chimney in question being capped.

So it's a balancing act as it almost always seems to be... reveal or not.

I have posted about CS roosts in the past, but won't anymore as I feel the risk to the birds is too great.

Jim S

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[Steve Long]

I agree that it is not a good idea to post roosts or nesting sites on the Internet.

However, I am willing to tell the OP where there is an opportunity to take the photos desired, off-list, with the proviso that there is a pledge that information will not be passed on.  Of course, that assumes that the opportunity still exists - it was a few months pre-pandemic when I last saw the Swifts using that chimney.

If my own chimney presented a good photography opportunity, I could offer that and assure protection.

But, realistically, I am considering putting the cap back on my own chimney this fall after any Swifts leave, because of the recent incident with the female Wood Duck getting stuck in it and needing rescue.

BTW, I did see a pair of Wood Ducks in the pond that the female headed toward when let free.  Hoping that female  is our "Cinderella".

Steve Long, Oxford

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[Chris Eberly]

As you may know, Chimney Swifts have declined 67% since 1970.  The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership started a Chimney Swift Conservation Program last year (https://marylandbirds.org/chimney-swifts). We would like to know where swifts are nesting and roosting and try to quantify how many swifts are in Maryland. We are posting swift tower locations on a map. We are also tracking chimneys used for nesting or roosting but are NOT disclosing this information publicly. 

Posting the locations of known chimneys (and swift towers) with nesting or roosting swifts at https://marylandbirds.org/chimney-swift-site-report would be a big help in our efforts to support Chimney Swift populations. Thank you.

Chris Eberly

Annapolis