ML626803751

Observation details

*Very rare for the state. As we walked up to Hot Springs Mountain Tower on the north mountain, two swifts immediately caught our attention as they flew in circles around the tower. My first impression was they were bigger than CHSW (my favorite bird!) and this was confirmed once we got bins on them. Both birds had white throats and chests, along with white on the sides of the rump, coupled with classic swift flight and structure. At 4:37pm, one bird entered into the structure where the support beams meet the observation tower platform on the SE side of the building. We watched the other bird circle around while trying (and failing) to find a roost in the undercarriage of the structure. At 4:42pm we lost sight of it, and assume it found a spot to roost for the night. Anyone willing to chase these birds should park in the Mountain Tower parking area where you will have good sight lines to the structure. Also, the tower closed early today but those who go to the top could get some great photos of the birds. On that note, I have cell phone photos and video that I can provide to show the swift shape profile, at the very least. *Edit. Just checked Ebird and there was a confirmed sighting of 1 WTSW on 10/27/24 (found by Kendall Kreiser and Todd Green), so apparently at least one of these birds is continuing. Heavily cropped photos added.