Western Cuyahoga Audubon
  • Home
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Membership 2022-2023
    • Calendar
    • WCASOhio.org
  • Connect
    • Story Blog
  • Educate
    • News Blog
  • Conserve
    • Policy Blog
  • Store

Maintaining Chimney Swift Towers by Amanda Sebrosky, NEO Chimney Swift Conservation Society

10/6/2020

Comments

 
Just like any house, Chimney Swift towers need maintenance. At times, a tower is built then, with time, falls into disrepair - project ends, interested parties move on. Whatever the reason, the birds suffer. The cap rots and falls in; wasps evict the rightful owners -- the Chimney Swifts. Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society aims to help repair abandoned or forgotten towers.
Maintaining Chimney Swift Towers
​By Amanda Sebrosky


Just like any house, Chimney Swift towers need maintenance. At times, a tower is built then, with time, falls into disrepair - project ends, interested parties move on. Whatever the reason, the birds suffer. The cap rots and falls in; wasps evict the rightful owners -- the Chimney Swifts. Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society aims to help repair abandoned or forgotten towers.

Such a tower stands in the middle of Old Field in South Chagrin Reservation on Chagrin River Rd in Moreland Hills, Ohio. The tower is about 8 feet tall and looks to be a bit old. The cap has rotted and partially caved in and wasps have built a comfy home on the underside of the cap. The outer covering of particle board does not appear to ever have seen a coat of paint. The supports for the bottom covering have fallen away and the bottom cover itself is nowhere to be seen. But we are changing that!

With the permission of the park manager, I put the first coat of paint on the tower and filled holes in legs just to make them look nice. WOW! What a difference a little bit of paint makes. The tower already looks better! At that time, I measured the new covering I’ve made for the bottom to ensure it would fit around the legs and measured the length for the new 2” X 4” pieces that needed to be placed for support of the bottom covering. 

I saw Chimney Swifts in the area so have opted to wait until October to complete repairs. Even though I doubt that the tower is being used this year, waiting gives me time to organize for repair completion, which will probably be done in 2 more steps. This is the plan and the list of tasks:

Step 1: 
  1. Cut and place the bottom supports
  2. Add the second coat of paint
Step 2: (October)
  1. Clean the inside of the old bird nest and remove any wasp nests
  2. Remove the old cap and place the new cap with a larger hole.
  3. Place a bottom cover to protect against climbing predators. 

None of the tasks are too taxing but making sure that ladders, paint and all needed supplies and charged, portable power tools are assembled for transport 40 miles away is nerve racking. I don’t know about you but I always miss something! Good thing I have a month to prepare!

View: Maintaining Chimney Swift Towers by Amanda Sebrosky, NEO Chimney Swift Conservation Society (PDF)

Picture
Amanda Sebrosky - Having grown up on a farm in Northeastern Ohio, I have always loved animals. My father gave me a sense of the importance of birds and my mother instilled in me the importance of volunteerism and contributing to causes that would support conservation. I obtained a BA in Biology from Case Western Reserve University, an RN from Cuyahoga Community College and a MS from Cleveland State University College of Urban Affairs, Environmental Track. Since retiring from University Hospitals IT department in 2017, I have concentrated on volunteerism and currently am active at Cleveland Metroparks and Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in the Lights Out program. I am a graduate of the Cuyahoga Soil and Water District Master Rain Gardener Class of 2019. While I love all things wild, I am working to promote the use of native plants and chimney swift conservation. Add your 'Like' to the Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society Facebook Page. Contact: Amanda Sebrosky, Founder, Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society. Email: asebrosky@gmail.com Phone: (440) 610-1148. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/chimneyswiftconservation

Make A Donation to the Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society To Build More Towers

Chimney Swift populations have declined by 70% since 1966. There are many factors contributing to this decline but one big reason is lack of habitat. Make a donation to WCAS to help Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society's efforts to build more towers. Use our safe and secure PayPal payment button below to make a donation in any amount. All donations are gratefully received.

Comments
comments powered by Disqus

    Story Blog

    The Feathered Flyer blog publishes human interest stories about birding and habitat conservation. 

    Photo: Triangle Lake, Bog, Rootstown Twp OH by Tom Fishburn.
    After watching, ‘My Painted Trillium Quest' by Tom Fishburn, Kim Langley, WCAS Member said, “Wonderful! It was a lift just knowing that such a site exists and is being protected!” 

    Media Libraries

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Quarterly Newsletter

    Picture
    Press for Western Cuyahoga Audubon Newsletter Vol.19 Issue 3 August 2021 DIGITAL EDITION (PDF)

    STORIES

    Birdwatching in a Backyard Spring 2020 by Peter G. Saenger
    Feathered Flames in the Forest: The Scarlet Tanager by Tom Fishburn, WCAS Member
    This Place is For the Birds by Joyce (Joy) M. Kiser
    Grassland Birds in Ohio by Tim Colborn, WCAS Member
    My Painted Trillium Quest by Tom Fishburn, WCAS Member
    The Verdant Blush of Spring’s Awakening by Patti Donnellan, CIG, OCVN

    Podcasts

    Picture
    WCAS is a proud member of The Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) and promotes chapter development by sharing the best practices, brainstorming solutions to common problems, and building relationships in workshops and retreats. ​Subscribe 

    Videos

    Youth
    Advocacy
    Clean Energy
    Reporting
    Awards
    Volunteerism

    Take Action

    • Help Protect the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
    • Albatross and Petrels Need Our Help
    • National Audubon Action Center-Clean Energy for Ohio!
    • ​Endangered Species Act in Jeopardy
    • Help Birds Survive Historic Drought
    • Protect The Arctic Refuge
    • Protect Ocean Habitat for Atlantic Puffins
    • Strengthen the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
    • Supporting Bird Safe Buildings

    Resources

    • American Avian Conservation and Research Institute​​
    • American Bird Conservancy
    • American Birding Association
    • American Forests Blog
    • Audubon Adventures
    • ​Audubon in Ohio​
    • Audubon Strategic Plan 2016-2020
    • Avian Research and Conservation Institute​
    • Bird Life International
    • Cleveland Metroparks
    • Cornell Lab of Ornithology
    • EcoWatch
    • Great Lakes Science Center
    • Great Lakes Biomimicry
    • Medina Raptor Center
    • National Audubon
    • Ohio Young Birders Club 
    • Palestine Wildlife Society
    • State of North America's Birds 2016 ​
    • The Birding Wire

    Blogs

    • Around the Bend
    • BBC Nature - All Birds
    • Beetles in the Bush
    • Bill of the Birds
    • BirdCalls
    • Birds From Behind
    • Birds | Nature | PBS
    • Black Swamp Observatory
    • Blogging Archaeology
    • Blue Jay Barrens
    • Buckeye Herps
    • eBird News
    • Field Biology in Southeastern Ohio
    • Julie Zickefoose
    • Kenn Kaufman's Crane Creek – Magee Birding
    • Life on The Edge
    • Listening in Nature
    • Live Science-Birds
    • Loose Leaf-Official Blog of American Forests
    • Midwest Native Plants, Gardens, and Wildlife
    • Nature's Scenic View
    • Ohio Archaeology Blog
    • Ohio Bird Sanctuary Blog
    • Ohio Birds and Biodiversity
    • Ohio Explorer
    • Ohio Historical Society Natural History Blog
    • Ohio Nature Blog by Tom Arbour
    • Ohio Ornithological Society
    • Ohio Plants
    • Ohio Young Birders Club
    • Ohio Wildlife Education Update
    • Red and the Peanut
    • Season's Flow
    • Science News 
    • ScienceDaily-Bird News
    • The Buckeye Botanist
    • The Nature Conservancy-Birds
    • The Ohio Nature Blog
    • The Swallow-tailed Kite Migration
    • TrekOhio
    • Wahkeena Nature Preserve
    • Weedpicker's Journal: Cheryl's Flora and Fliers

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    2018 Year Of The Bird
    Acid Rain
    Acoustic Recording
    Agricultural Ecosystems
    Ambassadors
    American Bird Conservancy (ABC)
    American Robin
    Amy LeMonds
    Audubon Society Of Greater Cleveland
    Author Speaker Series
    Avian Influenza
    Backyard Birding
    Bath Nature Preserve
    Bats
    Bill Deininger
    Bill Wilson
    Biocentric
    Bird And Building Collisions
    Bird Banding
    Bird Behavior
    Bird Feeder Birding
    Bird Friendly Coffee
    Bird Friendly Communities
    Bird-Friendly Communities
    Bird Health
    Bird Identification
    Birding In Japan
    Bird Migration
    Bird Of The Month
    Birds
    Birds And Beans Coffee
    Bird Walks
    Birdwatching
    Black Birders Week
    Black River Audubon
    Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO)
    Bluebirds
    Bluebirds Nest Box Project
    Book
    Book Club
    Book Discussions
    Bumblebees
    Byers Woods
    Campaign
    Carbon Offset
    Carlisle Visitor Center
    CBC
    Chimney Swifts
    Chimney Swift Towers
    Christmas Bird Count
    Chuck Slusarczyk Jr
    Cicada
    #CIFF
    #CIFF40
    Citizen Science
    Clean Energy Economy
    Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
    Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
    Cleveland Metroparks
    Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
    Cleveland Museum Of Natural History
    Climate Change
    Collaborations
    Conservation
    Conservation Project Lab
    Cornell Laboratory Of Ornithology
    Council Of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC)
    Cranes
    Dave Graskemper
    Dave Lewis
    David Lindo
    Dike 14
    Diversity And Inclusion
    Documentary
    Donation
    Dr Andy Jones
    Eagles
    EBird
    Ecosystems
    EcoWatch
    Education
    Environmental Stewardship
    Fall Migration
    Field Trip
    Film
    Finches
    Fundraising
    Geauga Park District
    Grassland Birds
    Greater Mohican Audubon Society
    Great Lakes Biomimicry
    Green Solutions
    Guardians Of Nature
    Harvey Webster
    Hog Island
    Hotspot Birding
    IBA
    Imad Al Atrash
    Insects
    Institute For Bird Populations (IBP)
    International Crane Foundation
    Interview
    Invasive Species
    Japan
    Kaoru Tsubone
    Kathy Murphy
    Ken Gober
    Kirtland Bird Club
    LaDue Reservoir
    Lake Erie
    Lake Erie Nature And Science Center (LENSC)
    Larry Rosche
    Legislation
    Lights Out Cleveland
    Lights Out Ohio
    Lisa Rainsong
    Lorain County Community College (LCCC)
    Lorain County Metro Parks
    Lukas Padegimas
    Magee Marsh
    Member
    Membership
    Membership Form
    Microbeads
    Music
    National Audubon Society
    Native Plants
    Nature
    Nature Clubs
    NEOSEF
    Network
    Newsletter
    Northeast Ohio Chimney Swift Conservation Society
    November Birding
    October Birding
    Ohio Bird Conservation Intiative
    Ohio Young Birders Club
    Organic Farming
    Ornithology
    Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
    Owls
    Palestine Wildlife Society
    Photography
    Piping Plovers
    Planned Giving
    Poetry
    Politics
    Prairie Warblers
    Presentation
    Programs
    Public Engagement
    Public Outreach
    Puffins
    Rachel Carson
    Reforestation
    Renewable Energy
    Research
    Rocky River Nature Center
    Rocky River Reservation
    Sandy Ridge Reservation
    Scarlet Tanager
    Schools
    Science
    Seabird Restoration
    Seasonal Birding
    Soil Management
    Sonogram
    Species Conservation
    Species Extinction
    Spotted Lanterfly
    Spring
    Spring Bird Walk Series
    Strategic Plan
    Superflight
    Sustainability
    Technology
    Tim Colborn
    Tim Jasinski
    Tom Fishburn
    Tremont Bird Walks
    University Of Akron
    Urban Birding
    Urban Birding Cleveland
    Urban Forestation
    Urban Parks
    Volunteerism
    Walker Road Park Tower
    Waterfowl
    Watersheds
    WCAS Project Lab
    West Creek Reservation
    Western Cuyahoga Audubon
    Western Reserve Land Conservancy
    Wildflowers
    Wildlife Rehabilitation
    Willow Point Wildlife Area
    Wind Turbines
    Winter Birding
    Wisdom
    Wonder
    World Migratory Bird Day

    RSS Feed


WCAS Logo
Picture
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society, Inc.

HOME

About
​Subscribe
Volunteer
​Donate
WCASOhio.org

CONSERVE

Policy Blog 
Bird Friendly Coffee Club
Carbon Offset Project
Preserving Habitat

CONNECT

Story Blog
Bird Walks
Field Trips
Birding Hotspots
Report Injured Birds

MEMBERS

​​Membership & Renewal
Volunteer Sign Up Form
​Members Login
​
Board Members
Board Member and Volunteer Login
​Meeting Minutes
Articles and By-Laws
Reports and Financials

EDUCATE

News Blog
Monthly Speakers
​​Field Reports
​
Bird Walk Reports
​Christmas Bird Count-Lakewood Circle

​Media Library
​
​Newsletter Archive
​Education
Resources

STORE

​​Articles
Coffee
Plants
Soil
​Books
​Contests
Donate

Forms
​Maps

​Membership
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
4310 Bush Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
info@wcaudubon.org

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible. The tax ID number is: 34-1522665. If you prefer to mail your donation, please send your check to: Nancy Howell, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Treasurer, 19340 Fowles Rd, Middleburg Hts, OH 44130. © 2020 Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society. All rights reserved. 

​​Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Legal | Store Shipping Rates | Site Map ​


  • Home
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Membership 2022-2023
    • Calendar
    • WCASOhio.org
  • Connect
    • Story Blog
  • Educate
    • News Blog
  • Conserve
    • Policy Blog
  • Store