Photo by Jonathan Welch.
The chimney swifts are swirling again. They've been sighted in Raleigh and Columbia, according to Sept. 22 reports on birdingonthe.net
Downtown Asheville typically sees thousands swirling over chimneys in the evening as they prepare to roost late September and into October, prior to migrating.
Last year, the eighth annual Swift Watch took place Oct. 2 on the Civic Center Parking Deck at 7 p.m.
The folks at PARC said last year:
We've seen thousands of swifts going into this chimney already this year, and they're also using the chimney at Asheville Middle School. We've seen no swifts at the Grove Arcade, though.
Watch the swifts swirl in striking patterns every evening at dusk, circling together before they drop down into their chimney of choice for the night. It’s amazing to see, and kids love it. Bring the whole family!
These birds eat mosquitos and other insects as they fly all day, never perching. They should be here for about another week or two. Their numbers will increase daily until they leave together on their long migration to Peru, usually starting around October 5th-10th.
AshevilleCharlie posted this video in 2009 of images capured in 2006:
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They have been gathering at the building on the other side of Haywood, across from Hotel Indigo for a few weeks now. It is impressive.
By epohs
09/22/2011
There were tons of them swirling around the chimney of the Citizen-Times building on Sunday morning before the road race.
By Anne Fitten Glenn
09/22/2011
Take photos! Whip that iPhone out for a video!
By Jeff Fobes
09/22/2011
There are swifts in our chimney every year - residence in Greensboro. We make lots of fires in our four fireplaces so I was wondering when the chimney would be available for our use. Even tho' the damper is closed the flurry and "fury" of the winged departure actually creates a downward draft.
Early in the summer they seem to be nesting and feeding the tiny ones because we hear a very chirpy sound of tiny ones.
By Rebecca
09/23/2011
Saw a bunch load over at Bookopolis this evening in West Asheville, so beautiful.
By Foto-Jennic
09/24/2011