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

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)

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

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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.

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