Who We Are

Conceived and facilitated by Bill Mueller of the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory (now the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory), our group first convened in 2012.  We are passionate about securing the future for Chimney Swifts in Wisconsin.  Our informal group includes citizens from diverse backgrounds and interests, including representatives from the bird conservation and research communities, the wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education communities, and state wildlife and environmental regulatory agencies.  We welcome anyone willing to help us preserve this important and fascinating species.

Our Mission

The Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group strives to inform Wisconsinites about Chimney Swifts and their ecological, economic and aesthetic value, in order to inspire the appreciation and conservation of this amazing species in our state.

Why Care About Swifts?

• Chimney Swifts have declined significantly in recent decades and need our assistance more than ever. In 2009, our northern neighbor, Canada, listed them as Threatened.
• Because of changes made to our landscape and loss of historical habitat, swifts rely almost entirely on man-made structures for nest and roost sites. Our chimneys are their homes.
• Chimney Swifts eat nearly one third of their own weight in flying insects, including pests, every day.
• Chimney Swifts are protected by Federal law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
• Like watching a beautiful sunset, the aesthetic value of observing Chimney Swifts’ aerial acrobatics and interactions is a simple pleasure of nature.

How Can I Help? (see more at https://www.wiswifts.org/how-can-i-help/)

• Provide and maintain safe nesting and roosting sites
• Identify chimneys where Chimney Swifts are nesting
• Report sightings of Chimney Swift roosts (go to the eBird Quick Start Guide)
• Chimney Swift towers (go to our Chimney Swift Towers page for best practices)