Unprecedented Chimney Swift Roost, UNC’s Famed Davie Poplar Makes History

Posted Oct 19, 2024
A remarkable occurrence is taking place on campus right now, at one of UNC’s most recognizable and beloved landmarks. This fall – and apparently for the last couple years – thousands of birds have gathered at the Davie Poplar as part of their migration. The birds are chimney swifts, so named because they typically roost in chimneys. (Chapelboro.com)

Related: Campus Connections

America250 At Carolina
As the nation’s first public university, UNC-Chapel Hill has been guided for more than two centuries by a commitment to lead our state and our...
Sun Jun 28, 2026

UNC alum, former Tar Heels soccer player Jenny Chiu hosts FIFA World Cup TV series
Jenny Chiu ’17 always aimed to become a soccer star. And she has — just not in the way she imagined. As 48 countries compete...
Sat Jun 27, 2026

UNC Connections to the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes
Mike Sundheim has been with the Carolina Hurricanes in some capacity for 28 years. Sundheim graduated from UNC in 2000, meaning he started with the...
Thu Jun 25, 2026

Take a closer look at South Building’s new copper roof
The weathervane at the top of South Building hasn’t been the highest point on campus in nearly a century, but for now, anyway, it is...
Wed Jun 24, 2026