Date: 7/11/25 12:43 pm
From: Joanna Reuter <00000304dde78ef2-dmarc-request...>
Subject: Predatory action near Columbia Chimney Swift roost
There was some predatory action in the vicinity of the Lela Raney Wood Hall Chimney Swift roost in Columbia yesterday evening (July 10, 2025). At 8:09 p.m., about half an hour before sunset, I saw an American Kestrel approaching from the west, with what appeared to be a freshly caught Chimney Swift in its talons, flying toward Lela Raney Wood Hall, where it appeared to land on the roof (out of sight), and an immediate and temporary vortex of a few dozen chattering Chimney Swifts developed above it, seemingly trying to harass it. After a few minutes that activity went quiet, and the background level of swift activity declined precipitously.

At 8:32 p.m., I had another view of an American Kestrel, possibly the same one, this time flying north and away from Lela Raney Wood Hall with about 20 swifts following, again with the appearance of harassment.

In spite of this activity, the Lela Raney Wood Hall roost did get substantial use, and my rough count of entering birds came out to 270 (perhaps a slight undercount due to distractions). The swift vortex developed entirely after my last Kestrel observation.

Eric did a driving tour of most of the other known roosts in the downtown & vicinity between about 8:45 and 9:00 p.m. (when vortex development was at a maximum at Lela Raney), and he did not observe activity at any of them.

What will happen next in the ongoing roost saga? If you want to help with keeping an eye on roost activity, be in touch!

Joanna Reuter
Boone County, MO

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