Date: 10/12/25 2:13 pm From: Jeffrey Short <bashman...> Subject: Re: Swifts and Scissortails roosting (Rogers)
I like the Douglas Arthur James (the only ornithologist with three first names, as Kim Smith would joke) Tower idea.
Should the tower be situated close to the current location used by the swifts or are they easily attracted to a tower constructed elsewhere where viewing for a group may be easier?
Jeff Short
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:<ARBIRD-L...>] On Behalf Of Ragupathy Kannan
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2025 7:01 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Swifts and Scissortails roosting (Rogers)
We absolutely should and name it the James Tower, Joe. Maybe it will become the bat bridge of Austin or something like that.
Since Doug has bequeathed his estate to UARK, maybe we should have Liz request the tower be built at the Old Main!
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, 5:49 AM, Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> wrote:
Last night (September 26) was a bonanza for watching birds at roosts in Rogers:
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER At least 20 birds, and probably more, forming what appeared to be in several trees and a high utility line near intersection of Highway 102 and 2nd Street. We saw them first about 7:01 and watched until about 7:10. Birds were still out with a lot of vocalizing.
CHIMNEY SWIFT How many swifts in a huge swirl were there? Probably at least 600. Lots of twittering above the sound of Friday night traffic. This was in the Rogers Historic District and around 2nd Street and Poplar. We saw many swifts when we got into the Historic District at 7:27 PM. Many were going into a chimney at 7:40, but still going in at 7:45. It was dark by then.
And last but not least, Doug James always wanted to build a chimney Swift tower in Fayetteville area. Should we?
