Strength of Community

Banding together for a common cause is a principle long championed by Audubon.  A September event illustrated for me the truth and power of this notion.  On Swift Night Out in Monroe, people came together to view the Vaux’s Swifts making their nightly entrance into the chimney at Frank Wagner High School.
Swifts evolved to roost in huge hollow snags.  They crowd together inside at night to preserve bodily warmth, clinging to the sides.  As those snags have disappeared, they have adapted, utilizing old chimneys as substitutes.  Now, the chimneys are disappearing as old buildings come down and new heating systems eliminate the need for them.

Showcase for the Swifts

Three local Audubon chapters, Pilchuck, Seattle and Eastside, collaborated to organize a showcase for the swifts.  It all began last year when members of the three chapters attended field trips to see the swifts and heard that the school district was considering taking the chimney down because of concerns for the students’ safety, especially during an earthquake.  The old chimney presented a potential hazard. 

Representatives of the chapters met with officials and began discussions of what could be done.  They found common ground is wishing to save the chimney and use the seasonal presence of the birds as a teaching opportunity for the children and the community.
The project mushroomed from there as the parties worked together to gather data, research other chimney saving projects and look for funds.  They knew that if the community was made aware of the special story of the swifts, they would want to save their home.  So the idea of a public gathering was born.  Eventually, the Audubon groups, the district and several community groups and businesses worked together to put on Swift Night Out.

Over 800 people turned out, spreading blankets and chairs on the lawn at the school, adults and kids eating picnic suppers, visiting the booths, and listening to Larry Schwitter’s entertaining talk.  Nearly 12,000 swifts entered the chimney to the oohs and aahs and applause of the crowd.

Connections

Work continues on the project with docents and counters present every night the swifts remain.  The community connections formed are also strengthening in finding a cost-effective solution for both birds and kids.  Money needs to be raised and questions answered.

The swifts come together as a matter of survival.  And so do people, for the survival of the swifts, and for ourselves.  Connection with nature in its many forms is necessary for us and working together to maintain that connection also maintains our community.  Audubon is that connection.

Take a look at the swifts entering and leaving the chimney.

Editorial by Christy Anderson - published in the Corvid Crier, October, 2008