Chimney Swift Swarm

[Loupey]

Tonight, I witnessed an amazing spectacle. Huge numbers of chimney swifts have called a local chimney/school home during the last several years. Apparently, for a short period of time, this nightly event can be seen at dusk as they return to roost.

I'm afraid that my images do not adequately convey the amazing sight.

I had the honor of meeting the local Audubon president and she reports:

"I counted ~ 3660 swifts entering the chimney tonightSept. 21. The first one
went in at 7:40pm and the last one entered at 8:08pm. Conditions were
mostly fair, some whispy clouds, gentle breeze and temperatures in the low
60's. Several bird watchers were stargazing and taking the time after the
swifts entered the chimney to see the 4 moons of Jupiter and some
constellations. I also estimated there were about 30 people watching the
swifts. Tonight the birds swirled around the top of the school in 3 batches
arriving at different times, the last group flying counter clockwise. At
one point another bird flew into the swirling mass and it appeared the flock
chased the unwanted guest away then came back to resume the clockwise
flight."

Very cool.