Swallows in Flight to Yachats (SWIFTY)
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.
Get involved!
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!
Tree Swallow header by Ernie Rose. Nest box photos courtesy of SWIFTY.