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Here are some of the new Chimney Swift Towers that went up in 1998 as well as some follow ups on older structures. When you erect your Chimney Swift housing, be sure to let us know so we can share your results! The Travis Audubon Society installed a tower (16" x 16" x 12') at the rural Audubon Sanctuary north of Austin in the spring of 1998. When it was examined in February of this year, three hatched egg shells and a nest were discovered, indicating a successful nest the first year the tower was in place. TAS plans the construction of two additional towers: one in an urban setting at Blair Woods and a second at the Hornsby Bend wastewater treatment plant -- a remarkably good birding site. Park Ranger Paul Jastram constructed 2 Chimney Swift Towers using recycled materials. Although both were used by nesting swifts, neither produced a successful brood. Unusually heavy rains were blamed. In April 1996, Dave Patton constructed a single-walled tower using 1/4" exterior plywood with 2" x 2"s in the corners. He used 2" x 6" around the base, middle and top to tie the structure together. It is mounted next to an old Purple Martin house pole, which helps support the tower. The really neat thing about Dave's tower is that it is mounted on a hinged base. Because it is so light weight, he can raise and lower the tower to repaint the outside. He also paints the top of the inside to prevent rot. He has had successful nests in 1996, 1997 and 1998. LuAnn Craighton is an NSRP Research Associate, and the Conservation Studies Manager at Callaway Gardens. She reports that thanks to the generosity of a donor, the Gardens have two new Chimney Swift nesting towers in place. Both were built using 5/8' T1-11 plywood and measure 16" x 16" x 12' tall with an air space between the inside and outside walls. On the outside the siding was installed with the grooves running vertically to better shed the rain and discourage climbing by potential predators. As an additional deterrent to predators, recycled Plexiglas wind shields from golf carts were used around the top of the towers. J.K. Steen had three 55 gallon drums welded together and fashioned a metal roof which covered the top at an angle which left an 8" opening on the north side for the swifts to enter. 52 3/8" ventilation holes were drilled at the bottom. The inside was lined with 8' strips of rough wood and the outside was painted with aluminum paint to reflect the heat. The entire structure will be mounted on a single concrete pier. J.K.'s tower measures about 9' tall with a diameter of 22 1/2". 1999 will be his first test year. The Rosson family completed construction of a tower attached to their barn. In addition to a predator guard at the top, a fence was built around the base to prevent their goats from using the tower as a scratching post. They have plans to install a video camera for remote monitoring The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's 16" x 16" x 12' wooden tower had some complications when the bottom fell off. The un-treated screws rusted through. However, as soon as it was repaired, the swifts continued with their nesting. A rope fence was erected around the tower to ward off over-curious office workers, and the swifts had another successful season. This tower is located just 20 feet from the south side of a 2 story office building. The Wildlife Center of Harris County, Precinct 4 had a wooden tower installed as an Eagle Scout Project. It measures 18" x 18" x 13.6' tall and is lined with T1-11 plywood siding. The tower is located in a somewhat wooded area north of Houston. |
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