September 24th - Chimney Swift Watch

Chimney Swift Watch — September 24
Indoor program: 6:00 PM | Outdoor watch: 6:45 PM

Watching Chimney Swifts come in to roost is one of nature’s most remarkable local wildlife spectacles. As dusk approaches, hundreds—sometimes thousands—of swifts circle overhead before funneling into a single chimney for the night.

Join us at 6:00 PM in Bryn Athyn College’s Pendleton Hall Auditorium for a brief discussion about the natural history and conservation of Chimney Swifts, followed by a short documentary. Please park in the Pendleton Hall Auditorium parking lot.

Following the indoor program, we’ll walk over to the Junge Ice Rink & Pavilion parking lot (3002 Cairnwood Dr., Bryn Athyn, PA 19009) for the 6:45 PM outdoor watch. Bring a chair and binoculars! You’re welcome to attend either portion or both. If you’re joining only for the outdoor watch, meet us at the rink parking lot at 6:45 PM.

Because the birds arrive on their own schedule, there may be some waiting as they gather overhead before entering the chimney. The exact timing varies from evening to evening.

Before attending, we encourage you to watch the Chimney Swift 101 program on the PERT YouTube channel. Please check our website for any updates before the event.

Chimney Swifts are wild birds and may change their roosting location, so we cannot guarantee they will gather at this chimney on the evening of the program. The indoor discussion and documentary will take place regardless of whether swifts are using the chimney.

This event is sponsored by Bryn Athyn College, Wissahickon Trails, Liberty Bird Alliance, and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust.

Free, but preregistration is required.