Over the past few weeks we have received dozens of calls from homeowners concerned that loud birds have taken up residency in their chimneys. What they don't realize is the Chimney Swifts (Chaetura Pelagica) have actually been nesting in the flue since late March. They just hear the birds now because the nestlings (babys) have become old enough to make an audible 'buzzing' noise during feeding that is amplified by the configuration of the chimney flue. While the Swifts can be a little disruptive, they do the chimney no harm. These birds are protected by law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as such should be left alone for the duration of the nesting season. Please be sure that your damper is closed to keep them from unintentionally getting into the house. Usually in mid to late August they abandon the nest (and your chimney) to embark on their amazing annual migration down to the Amazon Basin - mostly in and around Eastern Peru. Once they have vacated the chimney on their own, we'll be happy to come install a cap or screening to keep them out next spring. You may choose to continue to host these little birds if you don't mind the noise though, as one family (two adults & 4-6 fledglings) consume thousands of flying insects each day, and don't harm your chimney in any way! To read more about these busy little birds, go to ChimneySwifts.org  Happy reading!