UPDATE: We are sad to share that the Chimney Swift party is off this year. Despite our promised hospitality, the birds have chosen not to grace our neighborhood.
There are still great opportunities to see them within a short drive! The Baltimore Bird Club is hosting official Swift Watches at the Free State Bookbinders chimney in Hampden (3110 Elm Ave, 21211). Upcoming dates are:
Sun, Sept 28, 6:30–7:25 PM
Wed, Oct 1, 6:30–7:25 PM
You don’t have to wait for the official dates — you can go any evening over the next couple of weeks at dusk to see the spectacle. Details (including possible venue changes) are posted on baltimorebirdclub.org and on their Facebook page. Pro tip: arrive 30 minutes early if it’s cloudy or drizzly; canceled if raining.
We will let everyone know if if the birds decide to show up at the Bykota Center chimney.
Chimney swifts, small cigar-shaped birds with rapid wingbeats and high-pitched calls, are famous for their dramatic evening roosting behavior. Before migrating thousands of miles to South America, swifts gather in large flocks and spiral into chimneys by the hundreds. Last year, neighbors counted more than 1,500 swifts entering the Bykota Senior Center chimney on a single September evening, and we’re hoping they return this year.
Plan to meet at the benches towards the east side of the park starting at 6:00 PM. At around 6:30 PM, members of the Baltimore Bird Club (BBC) will share insights into the swifts’ biology, migration patterns, and the challenges these birds face as their traditional roosting sites disappear. You’ll learn how urban chimneys have become critical substitutes for the hollow trees they once used—and why their populations are declining across North America.
A note of caution: this is a natural phenomenon, and there are no guarantees. The swifts may migrate early (as some reports suggest), skip BYKOTA this year, or adjust their descent time depending on daily weather. If you can’t join us, keep an eye on the chimney on the east side of Bykota at dusk throughout September—you may still catch the show on another night.
Mark Sieffert—better known as The Great Groandini from our Halloween festivities—is organizing the event and inviting neighbors of all ages to come enjoy the spectacle. Expect a fun, informative evening with opportunities to ask questions, connect with fellow residents, and maybe even hear a bad bird joke or two.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, September 21 (Cancelled)
Time: Arrive around 6:00 PM (the swifts begin their descent around sunset)
Location: Meet at the benches in West Towson Park, then walk to Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Ave.
Bring: Lawn chairs, snacks, and curiosity