We have made it to our last week of official Chimney Swift roost monitoring this season. Wednesday the 25th looks good weather-wise so it should be a good final night.
Last Wednesday, on the other hand, proved to be a bit of a challenge for monitoring as many of us dealt with storms in the area, but a few folks were able to get out before the storm hit and see some Chimney Swifts. Gord in Portage saw up to six Chimney Swifts and at least one using the Rufus Prince building chimney, while Ken and the Dauphin team once again saw Chimney Swifts enter chimneys at the Watson Arts Center, Old Scott’s Hardware, and the roosting chimney on Main St.
Thursday evening Luc monitored St Jean Baptiste Church and had at least two, but possibly four, Chimney Swifts enter the chimney for the night. Luc did mention he was “wondering if [he] missed the exit of the first two swifts as 4 swifts in the chimney seems high for the breeding season.” Perhaps this Wednesday will provide some clarity if the chimney is being used for nesting or just night roosting. Elsewhere in Lockport, Jackie did not see Chimney Swifts use the chimney in the maintenance compound but did see “two CHSW foraging on the wing [the next] morning” and Gerald saw Chimney Swifts enter the chimneys that evening.
On Thursday I also did my first evening roost survey at Augustine United Church in Winnipeg and saw one Chimney Swift use the chimney as a night roost, although there were two others in the area. Unfortunately, my survey was cut half an hour short when the rain (that was not forecasted!) started to come down too heavy for monitoring. Hopefully the rest of you remained dry.
A very big thank you to everyone that has volunteered and reported Chimney Swift sightings so far this summer. I look forward to reading all your reports from Wednesday!
— Alyssa Stulberg
I have been seeing chimney swifts every day since mid May from my 7th floor balcony in North Kildonan . Could you tell where the chimney might be where the go for the night?