During the Coastal WildScapes Spring Native Plant Sale, Sarah Manning, Coastal Conservation Coordinator with Birds Georgia, gave a fascinating presentation about the new Chimney Swift Tower erected on the Ashantilly Center property and the unique birds it supports. Chimney Swifts are small, cigar-shaped birds with long, narrow wings and a flickering flight style. They spend most of their lives in the air, catching and eating flying insects. Once widespread, their populations have declined in recent years due to the loss of suitable roosting and nesting sites.
Each year in March and April, Chimney Swifts migrate through Georgia from South America, where they overwinter, to reach their breeding grounds across the eastern U.S. They rely on safe, vertical structures like chimneys and specially built towers to nest during the spring and summer. In October, they pass through Georgia again on their way south for the winter.
The Chimney Swift Tower at Ashantilly offers these birds a secure place to rest and nest, supporting conservation efforts while also providing a unique learning experience for the community. This project, through a grant provided by Birds Georgia, is part of Ashantilly’s ongoing mission to connect culture, history, and the natural environment.