Swallows in Flight to Yachats (SWIFTY)

Tree Swallow at a nest box

ASLC is proud to partner with SWIFTY, a group of five conservationists who are building nesting boxes for birds in need. Most species of insectivorous birds (birds that rely on insects for food) are in decline in the Western US due to climate change, pesticides, and destruction of habitat. Some of these species were historically dependent upon woodpecker holes for nesting cavities. Logging has reduced the number of snags with suitable cavities, and competition from starlings and House Sparrows has exacerbated the problem. Our mission is to help these cavity nesting insectivores, including swallows, chickadees, Purple Martins, ducks, owls, and wrens by providing them with additional nesting sites.

What are nest boxes?

Several birds in our region, including multiple species of swallows, chickadees, owls, and ducks, nest in cavities. Instead of weaving elaborate structures, these birds find existing holes in their environment that provide a safe, protected space in which to lay eggs and raise offspring. Nest boxes are built to mimic these natural hollows and can be installed strategically to invite native birds to habitat restoration sites.

Where SWIFTY Works

Projects extend from Yachats to Siletz, including:

  • Yachats River Valley - swallows, ducks, owls

  • City of Yachats - swallows, chickadees

  • City of Waldport - swallows, Purple Martins

  • Beaver Creek State Park - swallows, ducks, Purple Martins, owls

  • Beaver Creek Valley, Midcoast Watershed Council - swallows, ducks

  • Ona Beach State Park - swallows

  • South Beach State Park - swallows

  • Hatfield Marine Science Center - swallows, Purple Martins

  • Siltez National Wildlife Refuge - swallows, chickadees

  • Moonshine Park, Lincoln County Parks - swallows

New 2023 Initiative - Purple Martins

Though SWIFTY’s main focus has been supporting Tree and Violet-Green Swallows, this year we launched a new initiative to support another swallow, Purple Martins (PUMAs). There are believed to be only 3,500 nesting pairs of PUMAs in the Western US. In Oregon, PUMAs are found on the coast and nest in boxes mounted to pilings in the major river valleys. Many of these boxes are falling apart and need to be replaced. Our solution is to attract the colonies back to land with Pole Mounted Nesting Tubes where we can better monitor and maintain the tubes while enjoying their company.  With fingers crossed, we hope to get a couple of colonies established this year from our three starter poles at Waldport, Hatfield Marine Science Center, and Beaver Creek Valley.

Purple Martin colony boxes at Waldport docks

Get involved!

Monitoring nest box with an endoscope

Would you like to help build, install, or monitor a nesting box? Contact SWIFTY!

SWIFTY personnel:

  • Jim Welch: (970)217-4424

  • Wally Orchard: (541)606-0055

  • Bob Williams: (707)328-9135

  • Marty Bray: (541)961-9889

  • Robert Maconie: (253)632-1780

Learn more about SWIFTY

See more photos of SWIFTY in action!

Wood Duck box with resident elk

Tree Swallow header by Ernie Rose. Nest box photos courtesy of SWIFTY.