Chimney Swift Tower Created in Ranch Park

Thanks to fifteen-year-old boy scout, Alexander Seshan with Life Scout Troop 280, Dripping Springs Ranch Park has a new feature that will enhance the birding in the park: a Chimney Swift Tower.

Seshan took on the task of building a Chimney Swift Tower as an eagle scout project. As the name implies, the tower serves as a home for Chimney Swift birds. 

The Chimney Swift (Chaetura Pelagica) is a bird in the Swift family that usually makes its home in a chimney. Since many chimneys are capped off or torn down, Chimney Swifts have had to make their homes and in air shafts, wells, cisterns, etc. Hollow trees were their original homes before they began nesting in chimneys. Chimney Swifts are not considered endangered, but their population is decreasing, and have the conservation status of “Near Threatened.”

Seshan is a sophomore in high school and has been a scout since first grade. According to Seshan, “As a scout, I like helping people achieve their goals and seeing them grow. I chose the Chimney Swift Tower as my project because I wanted to do something for Dripping Springs Ranch Park, and they said it was needed.”  

It took Seshan more than 150 hours to build the tower. He started his project in July and finished at the beginning of August. It stands approximately 12’ tall and was built with high quality materials thanks to a generous contribution from McCoy’s Building Supply. He hopes the project will receive recognition as a Distinguished Conservation Service Project.

“This is a tremendous gift to the City and something Ranch Park visitors can enjoy for years to come,” Mayor Bill Foulds said. “We are most appreciative of Alexander’s work and effort.”

Chimney Swifts migrate to the northern portion of South America in the winter but can be found in Texas in the spring. They generally arrive here at the beginning of April. Only one brood usually lives in each Chimney Swift tower during nesting season despite the height of the tower. The towers are made very tall to avoid overheating problems which affects their breeding. A nest with five nestlings can eat about 12,000 insects in one day. They love mosquitos, termites, and beetles.

During roosting season and during migration up to about 100 Chimney Swifts can occupy one tower. When large colonies of Chimney Swifts are preparing to roost at night, they can create a flying funnel above the tower.

Visitors will be able to possibly see the Chimney Swifts when they visit Ranch Park next spring. The new Chimney Swift Tower is located at the park, just north of the pond.

For more information, contact the Dripping Springs Parks and Community Service department at 512-894-2400.