SWIFTY is a group of swallow enthusiasts living in and around Yachats, Oregon. We build, install and monitor bird nesting boxes, primarily for swallows. In the long run, we hope that by creating more and better nesting opportunities for swallows we can help reverse the declining numbers of these beautiful and useful birds.
Here in Yachats, we find three swallow species: tree swallows, violet-green swallows and barn swallows. Tree swallows and the less common violet-green swallows are both cavity nesters and will readily use nesting boxes. Check out the nesting box web page for some tips if you are thinking about building one. Barn swallows don't use nesting boxes; they make mud nests under eaves and may nest on a suitable small, protected platform if you provide them with one. Swifty has built and installed swallow nesting boxes in Yachats itself, along the Yachats River and at the Beaver Creek State Natural Area north of Seal Rock. The best locations for these boxes are at the edge of meadows or other big grassy expanses, preferably near water. Swallows are aerial insectivores, and these locations provide their best hunting grounds.
Purple martins are a bigger species of swallow. They don't nest in the Yachats area, but there are colonies nearby in Florence and Newport. One of Swifty's goals is to establish purple martin nesting colonies closer to Yachats; The marshy area of Beaver Creek seems to be an ideal location for these beautiful birds.
On a smaller scale, we also build and install nesting boxes for owls and wood ducks.
We have put together a short video showing some of our activities and personnel. It is on YouTube and you can see it by clicking here.
Here in Yachats, we find three swallow species: tree swallows, violet-green swallows and barn swallows. Tree swallows and the less common violet-green swallows are both cavity nesters and will readily use nesting boxes. Check out the nesting box web page for some tips if you are thinking about building one. Barn swallows don't use nesting boxes; they make mud nests under eaves and may nest on a suitable small, protected platform if you provide them with one. Swifty has built and installed swallow nesting boxes in Yachats itself, along the Yachats River and at the Beaver Creek State Natural Area north of Seal Rock. The best locations for these boxes are at the edge of meadows or other big grassy expanses, preferably near water. Swallows are aerial insectivores, and these locations provide their best hunting grounds.
Purple martins are a bigger species of swallow. They don't nest in the Yachats area, but there are colonies nearby in Florence and Newport. One of Swifty's goals is to establish purple martin nesting colonies closer to Yachats; The marshy area of Beaver Creek seems to be an ideal location for these beautiful birds.
On a smaller scale, we also build and install nesting boxes for owls and wood ducks.
We have put together a short video showing some of our activities and personnel. It is on YouTube and you can see it by clicking here.
SWIFTY Personnel
Contact any one of us, listed below, if you would like to be involved with SWIFTY in any way. Or use the email form below.
Jim Welch: 970 217 4424
Bob Williams: 707 328 9135 |
Wally Orchard: 541 606 0055
Marty Bray: 541 961 9889 |