Triangle birdwatchers take to the roof as the ‘swift-nado’ descends on local chimneys

Triangle bird watchers are perching on rooftops in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the annual chimney “swift-nado.”

Around twilight in mid-September, chimney swifts, a migratory bird native to the eastern United States and Canada, can be seen taking flight in a swirling swarm, affectionately known as the “swift-nado.”

Sept. 14 marked the Wake Audubon Society’s first swift-watching session of the year.

Chimney swifts, with their peculiarly shaped feet, cannot stand upright like other birds. Instead, they tend to hang vertically on walls and other rough surfaces when not in flight. For decades, chimneys have become the ideal roosting area for these birds, hence the name chimney swift.

“They are now 100% dependent on human-constructed chimneys for their survival in North America,” said Mary Abrams, president of the Wake Audubon Society.

Luckily for the swifts and bird watchers alike, Transfer Co. Food Hall in Raleigh has preserved their old chimney, which is why Thursday’s swift-watching event took place on their property at 500 E. Davie St. In the fall, this chimney, like many others across the region, will become the temporary home of migrating swifts.

As traditional fireplaces become less popular, Abrams said the greatest threat to chimney swifts is the removal, destruction or closure of chimneys.

“Anyone with an uncapped chimney can help by keeping it that way,” Abrams said.

Although the birds have previously been seen around the Downtown Raleigh food hall, there is no guarantee they will roost in the same locations year after year. Abrams said her organization’s gathering spots are decided based on sightings from previous years.

Still, she looks forward to the prospect of sharing her admiration for these creatures.

“We’ll socialize, play swift-themed bean bag toss and share information about the birds as they start to gather in their swift tornado or ‘Swift-nado,’” Abrams said before Thursday’s session.

Due to their flight occurring around dusk, chimney swift swarms can be difficult to photograph, but Abrams’ latest image of the birds show an undulating mass of dark-feathered birds peppering the sky.

A gathering for bird watchers also is scheduled in Durham this month. The New Hope Audubon Society is hosting a “Swift Night Out” on Sept. 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.. They hope to catch views of the flocks from the roof of the Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St.

In addition to chimney preservation, Abrams encourages people to turn out their lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to assist the birds in their migration. Light patterns, especially from large urban areas can disrupt birds’ migratory patterns.

Chimney swifts will be making their way through the Triangle from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30, according to Abrams.

This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 2:52 PM.