Don's Jersey Birding: Ridgewood School Board Recognized for Helping Chimney Swifts
The Chimney at Washingston School in Ridgewood. The Chimney Swifts begin to enter at dusk, sometimes in the thousands.
Photo courtesy of Jim Wright
On any given night from late summer through early fall, crowds can be seen gathering outside George Washington School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. No, this is not some parent protest or teacher strike. All folks have binoculars around their necks and are keeping a close watch high up on the school roof. All eyes are fixed on the school chimney.
Now this is not just any old chimney. At this chimney, thousands of Chimney Swifts can be seen funneling into this extraordinary place to rest on their long journey to faraway places such as Peru, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador.
Beth Goldberg, President of Bergen County Audubon Society, is still astounded by this yearly spectacle.
“I'll never forget the first time I witnessed this phenomenon,” Beth told me. “To see thousands of these birds funneling into the chimney was just amazing.”
Pictured are certificate illustrator Paula Dias, Bergen County Audubon Society president Beth Goldberg, Fyke Nature Association president Mike Limatola, and Caroline Hoffman, Assistant Principal of the Middle School. The presentation was made at the Ridgewood Board of Education meeting on Sept. 26.
Photo courtesy of Jim Wright
“Communal roosts like this give Swifts a reasonable chance of surviving their migration,” Kurt explained. “The dramatic growth in the number of Chimney Swifts using the Ridgewood roost over the last five years, in the face of an overall declining population in North America, implies that other previously acceptable chimneys are becoming unavailable. Therefore, it is vital to keep this remaining large population facility in place as it is.”
In fact, this roost is so important that Chimney Swift rehabilitation centers have brought their birds all the way from Maine to Ridgewood so that they could join the other Swifts on their long migration.
Knowing how important this structure is to the Chimney Swift population was the reason Kurt became alarmed when he heard construction would be taking place at the school and noticed that the architect's drawing had no chimney. Kurt immediately called fellow Fyke member John Workman, who is a Ridgewood resident. John called Dr. Kashmanian, the school's principal to ask about the new plan.
But before he could finish asking his question, Dr. Kashmanian interrupted, saying not to worry about the Swifts as the chimney was not affected. That was of course good news and the fact that she so quickly responded implied to John that others had called, worried about the chimney and the birds. 
“We want the school and the village of Ridgewood to be aware of our recognition and appreciation of their maintaining the chimney for the Swifts,” Kurt said. “Also, the certificate hanging prominently in the school should help in the continuing effort to keep the students, faculty, administration and the overall village aware of the chimney and its importance.”
Mike Limatola, President of Fyke Nature Association said, “I am sure they had to alter their construction plans to keep the chimney intact. It is important that we acknowledge that and let the school know how much we all appreciate their efforts.”
Paula Dias, a local artist was contacted and asked to come up with a special design that would remind generations to come of how important the chimney at Washington School is. Paula volunteered her time and hard work to design the certificate, and when it was finally unveiled, it just took everyone’s breath away. It was a perfect depiction of what this special place means to all who visit it.
On Monday, September 26th the certificate was presented to the Ridgewood School board by Mike Limatola, Beth Goldberg, and Paula Dias at the school board meeting.
This is a great example of how conservation organizations, citizens, and municipalities can come together to help preserve and recognize critical wildlife areas such as the chimney at Washington School. We are losing too many of these kinds of places in New Jersey. It’s comforting to know that this one will be around for a while longer.
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
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Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: chimney swifts birds birding conservation swifts
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