Frank,
Swifts use a vast array of natural and artificial nesting sites. Obviously,
they most commonly and conspicuously use chimneys (something Audubon noted
commonly even as early as the early 1800s). Over the years I have found and
heard of their nests in a variety of situations; these include the inside of
abandoned silos (something Barn Owls are also finding accommodating), abandoned
homes (not just the chimneys, but any old structure with some sort of opening),
and even in wells and cisterns with openings to underground cavities.
I remember years ago standing at an old home site in Calloway County where the
hill had been cleared for a Christmas tree field (I was listening to a singing
Bachman's Sparrow, by the way!) ... all of a sudden a Chimney Swift whizzed by
me from almost at my feet!) ... I looked down and there was a half rotten
pallet sitting on top of an abandoned cistern. I backed off and watched the
pair enter and leave the opening several times, apparently feeding young! Just
last year I was sent some photos of an active swift nest on the wall of a
seldom used carport. Finally, for years I have noted the presence of numerous
swifts foraging over the bottomland and swamp forests of west KY and have
figured that they continue to utilize large hollow trees, especially the big
cypress trees that live for hundreds of years. Audubon found them nesting in
hollow sycamore trees at Louisville in the early 1800s.
bpb, Louisville
-----Original Message-----
From: Lyneart <lyneart@xxxxxxxxxxx>================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBERS==============
Sent: May 6, 2019 6:27 AM
To: BiRDKY <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [birdky] Chimney Swift habitat decline.
Our house, built somewhere around 1900, has a chimney. Our chimney has always
hosted Chimney Swifts. Besides our house, I know of only one other house in
the neighborhood with a chimney and with Chimney Swifts. That other house has
been empty since its last resident, a 90+ year old local farmer died a few
years ago. Its lack of human occupants didn't bother the swifts. They kept
using it each year.
Not any more. Within the past week, the current property owner hired a
bulldozer & track hoe to raze the old house, dig a hole and bury it. That
leaves our house as the only local nest site for swifts.
Does anyone know of swifts using other structures besides chimneys as nest
locations? If not, their long term prospects look dim.
Frank Lyne
frank@xxxxxxxxxxx - near Dot in Logan County, KY
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