Photo: Chimney Swift tower on UNL campus constructed by Bluebirds Across Nebraska

The Audubon Society of Omaha has been awarded a $17,000 grant from the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation in support of a collaborative project to build five new nesting towers for Chimney Swifts in Omaha. Working together with Bluebirds Across Nebraska, which has already built swift towers in eastern Nebraska, ASO will coordinate the construction of one tower at Joslyn Castle & Gardens, one at Lauritzen Gardens, and three at City of Omaha parks (one each at Elmwood Park, Fontenelle Park, and Hanscom Park). 

Chimney Swifts have become almost entirely dependent on human-built structures for nesting habitat following the loss of most old-growth forests in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Unable to perch on branches, Chimney Swifts can only cling to vertical surfaces such as the insides of hollow trees or chimneys built from masonry. Their association with historic brick buildings makes Chimney Swifts a common sight in historic Omaha neighborhoods, despite the species’ steep decline in abundance continent-wide.

As chimneys continue to be capped and new constructions do not include suitable masonry chimneys that Chimney Swifts can use, available habitat in Omaha will continue to decline in coming years. By building new nesting towers designed specifically for Chimney Swifts, we can mitigate the loss of historic nesting habitat, which could become a limiting factor for Chimney Swift populations and worsen the rate of decline. Interpretive signs at each park will educate people about Chimney Swifts and their habitat needs, inspiring further action to conserve this species.