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Platte River Status: A locally abundant migrant and nesting species particularly in the eastern half of the study area. Occurrence dates from the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, extend from 8 May to 30 September. Tout's (1947) only record of this species in Lincoln County was a dead bird found in North Platte chimney 22 September 1908. Viehmeyer (1957) reported that at least 16 chimney swifts were present in North Platte during 9 May to 3 August 1956. Rosche (1979) reported chimney swift from the lower North Platte River Valley during 6 May to 25 August.

Breeding Range: Locally abundant in the Platte River Valley physiographic region west through Dawson County, and on the Eastern Plain; locally common on the Dissected Plain and in the western reaches of the Platte River Valley. Uncommon and local on the Western Plain and in the Sandhills.

Breeding Population: The population in 1979-1980 was estimated at 95,000 breeding pairs. Chimney swift was the 11th most abundant nesting species those years, making up 3.2% of the total bird population.

Habitat: Chimney swift is most numerous in villages and cities where they nest in chimneys and abandoned buildings. We found the highest mean breeding density in residential areas (54.8 pairs/km²), followed by lowland forest (<0.2 pair/km²). Rising (1974) found chimney swift as a local summer resident in residential areas of western Kansas.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: This species has benefited from the establishment of cities and towns across the study area. We believe that movement across the Platte River Valley has been fairly recent, as suggested by Tout's (1947) recording only one bird during his time in North Platte. Undoubtedly the expansion of human influences over the last 50 years has greatly benefited this bird. Graber and Graber (1963) speculated that the population of chimney swift in Illinois will increase in the future with the expanded availability of urban/residential habitats.

Nesting Data: Eigsti (1947) found an active nest in Hastings, Adams County in 1947. Lingle found a nest in a farmhouse chimney, Buffalo County (T. 8 N. - R. 14 W.), during the last week of May 1978. Egg dates from Kansas extend from 11 May to 30 June (Johnsgard 1979).