Hello swifters !
A quick update on some exciting news in our knowledge of Chimney Swifts in Manitoba. Our Coordinator, Tim Poole, yesterday scouted out the town of Neepawa, looking for swifts. Neepawa was one of the towns highlighted as having potential for Chimney Swifts by the work from Marshall Birch.
Following an hour walking around Neepawa looking at a variety of chimneys, and a fair few swallows (described as ‘long tail and doesn’t look like a flying torpedo), Tim was ready to give up and head back to Portage la Prairie where he was to deliver a talk later in the evening. Deciding to give one more spin past the rather marvelous hospital chimney, Tim’s eye was drawn to a bird sweeping over the building. The long curved wings, short stumpy tail and torpedo-like appearance pointed to one thing – swifts!
Tim had time to watch a pair of swifts for 10 minutes before needing to leave. There is certainly a very amorous pair, both in situ at the time next to the Neepawa Hospital chimney.
Here though is the crux. We have no volunteers in Neepawa, and we really need to confirm the use of this, or another chimney in town by swifts. If you live in Neepawa, or know of anyone who lives there who may be able to help, or even have family there and will be visiting in the next month, we would love to know. It would be fantastic to add a Neepawa Chimney Swift site to our database!
