Dallas County issued the following announcement on Sept. 23.
As the September sun slips under the horizon, hundreds of little black “fighter jets” suddenly appear above a tall chimney in downtown Perry. They swirl above the opening like a draining bathtub and with a whoosh, they disappear. Is it something from a Harry Potter movie? No, these are migrating Chimney Swift birds. Dallas County Conservation Board (DCCB) volunteers have documented three roosting sites in Dallas County where Chimney Swifts can be observed at night. The Chimney Swift population is in steep decline, so locating and protecting roost sites is critical for their survival.
Every year in mid-September through mid-October, thousands of Chimney Swifts migrate from North to South America. During their journey, they spend the night in large chimneys, thus their name. As the sun sets, they approach the top of the flue in a swirling vortex. With each passing minute, a portion of the large swarm seemingly disappears as they prepare to roost for the night. DCCB volunteer Jean Tool said, “Last year, seeing the chimney swifts was the highlight of my birding year.”
To witness the Chimney Swift nightly roosting, arrive at one of the sites 30 minutes before sunset to get settled. Binoculars are recommended but not necessary. A few minutes after the sun sets, the majority of birds will arrive for the evening. If it’s raining, the birds will not be active. The nesting sites that have been documented in Dallas County are:
- Downtown Perry, at the corner of Warford and 2nd Street
- DeSoto Intermediate School, at the corner of Highway 169 and Spruce Street
- Washington Township School, at the corner of Highway P-58 and Highway F-31
About Dallas County Conservation Board
The Dallas County Conservation Board was established in 1962 to protect, preserve, and enhance our natural resources by providing opportunities to improve the public’s quality of life through environmental education, ecosystem management, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation. For more information visit www.dallascountyiowa.gov/conservation.
Original source: https://www.dallascountyiowa.gov/Home/Components/News/News/871/26?backlist=%2fhome
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