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Chimney Swift - nest view (NY) — 2011

Chimney Swift - nest view

Location: Glenham, NY

Hosted by: www.falconsandfriends.com


First Egg Date: Jun 05, 2011

Clutch Size: 3

Hatch Date: Jun 30, 2011

Number of Nestlings: 2

Fledge Date: Jul 27, 2011

Number of Fledglings: 2


Note: The 2 swift fledglings have joined the flock and will soon be heading to South America!


Photo Highlights (15)

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/swifttower.jpg
    The Swift Tower

    Apr 25, 2011 -
    Here is an image of the tower that we hope the swifts will return to for the fourth year in a row!

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110505_Flight.jpg
    Site Selection

    May 05, 2011 -
    Site inspection involves a single swift or the pair making flying "feints" toward potential nest locations. The pair then clings to the wall close together in the vicinity of a new nest site, with one of the pair producing short, rhythmical chipping.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110513_nest.jpg
    Camera Port

    May 13, 2011 -
    Far down on the walls of the tower, you can see the camera port that our host has utilized to focus in on the nests from previous years.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110601.png
    A Nest Takes Shape

    Jun 01, 2011 -
    The process of nest-building has begun for these Chimney Swifts. Here, both adults construct a nest on the vertical interior tower wall. Chimney Swift nests are made of twigs glued together with the birds' saliva. Amazing!

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110605.png
    A Delicate Balance

    Jun 06, 2011 -
    The Chimney Swifts now have 1 egg in the nest, and it isn't even completed yet. They start laying eggs when the nest is only half-finished.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/NY_CHSW_06282011.png
    Multitasking

    Jun 28, 2011 -
    The Chimney Swift nest continues to receive adjustments, even as the eggs are being incubated. Now that's multitasking!

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/NY_Glenham_CHSW_2inNest.png
    Swift Growth

    Jul 08, 2011 -
    The nine-day-old Chimney Swift chicks now have feathers erupting through their skin, as seen here. Their eyes will not open for about 5-7 more days.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_2011-07-13_StickingNeckOut.png
    Sticking Your Neck Out

    Jul 13, 2011 -
    Check out the video highlight to see a Chimney Swift chick skillfully accept a meal from an adult underneath the nest cup.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_07172011_Wall.png
    From Nest to Wall

    Jul 18, 2011 -
    This Chimney Swift nestling is leaving its nest to practice clinging to the tower wall. See it happening in our video highlight!

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CSFamilyAffair_ettaj.png
    Family Affair

    Jul 20, 2011 -
    Chimney Swift families roost together at night, with young often returning to the nest to roost after venturing to the wall and even after the first flight outside. (photo courtesy of etta j)

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_07262011_Restless.png
    Restless

    Jul 26, 2011 -
    This Chimney Swift seems restless during its nightly roost. Watch the video highlight to see why this swift thought better of roosting alone.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110727_Fledge.png
    Right On Schedule

    Jul 27, 2011 -
    This snapshot of 2 Chimney Swifts was taken this morning, just before they left the tower momentarily. It appears that the tower was vacant for a few minutes, meaning that the young are venturing outside.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110801_Humm.png
    In Flight

    Aug 01, 2011 -
    Did you know that swifts are most closely related to hummingbirds? This image of a Chimney Swift in flight helps us understand their similar wing structures.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110803_Wall.png
    New Real Estate

    Aug 03, 2011 -
    Chimney Swifts were among the few birds to initially benefit from European settlement of the New World. The construction of chimneys gave them new nesting sites, in addition to natural sites like caves and hollow trees.

  • http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/2011/NY_CHSW/CHSW_20110829_chickadee.png
    Black-capped Chickadee

    Aug 29, 2011 -
    Curious about Chimney Swift nesting towers? You're not the only one. This Black-capped Chickadee comes in for a closer look at the tower.

Video Highlights (12)


May 04, 2011 - Mating
Many Chimney Swifts can roost together in a single chimney during the breeding season, but only one pair will actually have a nest in that structure. Nesting swifts often tolerate other nonbreeding swifts roosting nearby.

Open movie

Jun 23, 2011 - Two's Company
This Chimney Swift, perhaps a helper, stepped in to incubate the nest, when, after 14 minutes, it became apparent that no one else was going to. Once there, however, it seems reluctant to switch off.

Open movie

Jul 08, 2011 - Carefully Balanced
Life in the Chimney Swift tower is carefully balanced, from feeding to defecating. Watch how precisely they manage these tasks, if your nerves can take it!

Open movie

Jul 13, 2011 - Sticking Your Neck Out
Watch as a Chimney Swift chick skillfully accepts a meal from an adult underneath the nest cup. After a few moments, the adult demonstrates the flexibility in their necks that made this strategy work!

Open movie

Jul 18, 2011 - From Nest to Wall
This Chimney Swift nestling is leaving its nest to practice clinging to the tower wall, like the nearby adults and one sibling. The process of going from nest to wall is not without risks, but the parents know the young are ready to take this step.

Open movie

Jul 26, 2011 - Restless
Chimney Swift young usually take their first flight outside 28-30 days after hatching. Today these 2 chicks are 27 days old; will they leave the chimney wall tomorrow morning?

Open movie

Jul 28, 2011 - Road to Independence
The Chimney Swift young are still being fed by the adults, suggesting the young have not yet fledged. The young continue flying practice by making short flights around the tower.

Open movie

Aug 03, 2011 - The Art of Preening
Because they can't perch on twigs like other birds, Chimney Swifts do everything on the wing or while clinging to a vertical surface. Here they show the art of preening while clinging.

Open movie

Aug 04, 2011 - This Looks Familiar
This Chimney Swift youngster returns momentarily to the wall above its nest, as if returning to a familiar view of the world. Perhaps it is getting extra support from the twigs there.

Open movie

Aug 11, 2011 - Head On
Here we can see a Chimney Swift in flight from head-on, an angle not often seen here.

Open movie

Aug 29, 2011 - A Day in Glenham, NY
While we don't get many glances at swifts, there is always something to see with the outside view of our swift cam. On Saturday morning, a spider catches prey in the wee hours, and the tower is visited by a squirrel and a Black-capped Chickadee!

Open movie