Hello and good week to everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your summer and taking are of yourself. This week’s blog covers the last MCSI night, and to everyone who consistently sent in data for the MCSI nights, thank you for all your good work!
Back to the Swifts, we have some interesting entries coming from Selkirk, Brandon, St Francois-Xavier, La Salle, and Lockport!
Let us start off with David! David watched the Mennonite church’s chimney back on May 26 for the first MCSI night, where no Swifts were apparent. On the June 2nd for the 2nd MCSI night, there was one entry at 8:31 pm. Lastly on June 9th, for the 3rd MCSI night, no swifts were in view. This site has little activity, but at least we can confirm that its being used.
Sophia went over to watch the big roost at the 424 River apartment site on the 14th in the evening. Starting from 9:35 pm, Swifts made entries throughout the period, with 9:56 pm being their peak entry time. A total of 111 were accounted for.
For a MCSI night, Mike and Michele watched the St. Francois-Xavier RC church on the 16th. There were three entries, but only one remaining in the chimney by the end. On the 5th MCSI night, there were four entries that night. However, it seems like only one pair used it as a roost, while the other pair flew elsewhere for the night. Through the night, there was some exciting views as well. They had an American Kestrel perched on its favorite spot and a fox trotting into the cemetery. What a good night indeed.
We have Barb, Rob and Qilliaq (the Swift questing pup) watching the Catholic church over at La Salle. On the 21st, The three started the stake out at 7:08 pm. On a nice grassy expanse away from traffic, and a friendly neighbourhood, the night was quite peaceful. There was a total of four entries in the chimney. There was distinctively one pair moving in and out together, while a single swift was going in and out at opposite times than the pair. It may be a possible helper Swift.
Gerald went to check out the Lower Fort Garry site for the evening of the 22nd. There were two entries in total, with one remaining for the monitoring period. Many barn swallows were noted as well.
Jon went out to the apartments on Balmoral in Winnipeg on the night of the 23rd for MCSI. In a nice grassy spot, the view of the chimney was perfect to catch two Swifts entering the chimney. Jon noted some Swifts flying low behind 39 Balmoral, which would be 37 Balmoral. Perhaps 37 Balmoral’s chimney is being used as well. Only time will tell!
Another on MCSI night, we have Lynnea who watched a new location she discovered with some perfect swift chimneys on McBeth St in Winnipeg, however no Swifts were around either.
Ron went over to the Marion Fire Hall again for MCSI night. There were two entries in total for the night. One at 9:02 and 9:27 pm. They both entered quietly and swiftly. Seems like there was activity noted over at 847 Marion St.
Gordon, watched for swifts over at the old Women’s Jail in Portage la Prairie on MCSI night. He had a single entry at 9:07 pm. There were a few flying above, but they did not roost there for the night.
For MCSI night at Selkirk, we have Tim over at the new artificial tower. There were two entries in the chimney. Before we head on to Gerald’s summary, Tim let us know that it has been a strange night at the other locations. Here is what Gerald reports: Over at the yellow brick chimney, there was an entry, however soon left and was not found coming back. Over at the West chimney, there were two Swift entries, and in the east chimney and infirmary attached tower, no Swifts. Besides the Mental Health center, over at big stack replacement, there was one permanent entry. At the Merchants hotel, there was one permanent entry, and finally the apartment on Main St, had two Swifts come on in.
What is a better way to start the monitoring period, than with a cup of timmies? That is what Frank and Jacquie did as they staked out the Transcona collegiate chimney on MCSI night. Starting from 8:30 pm, there was no Swift activity until 9:14, then with two entries. They seemed to have arrived from the North side and was not foraging around the area of the chimney.
For the MCSI night, we have Jo and Betsy at the Assiniboine Park Zoo tower. Starting at 8:40 pm, three Swifts were flying above the chimney. One Swifts made the first entry at 9:15 pm. The last two entered at 9:43 pm. There was also the occasional existence of the Pileated Woodpecker being heard and seen going into its roost, which it has made by tunneling into the side of the Chimney Swift tower.
We have news from Luc over at Saint-Jean-Baptiste church for the MCSI night. Starting at 9:10, we had some entries and exits that ended around 10:11 pm. This made a total of 2 Swifts that stayed in the chimney. There was quite a bit of flying around during the whole monitoring period.
Blaire staked out the Behavioural Health Foundation in St. Nobert for MCSI night. There was one entry at 9:34 pm, and four flying around all evening.
Blair decided to check out the location at 865 Tache Ave on the 24th, since as there have been around eight Swifts flying above the area recently. There was no entry at the site on closer inspection though. On the same night at 340 Provencher, there was not any activity from the Swifts either.
On the 24th, Glennis in Brandon watched the Orange Block building chimney for the evening. There were two entries late in the evening at 9:54. One other Swift was flying with the other pair as well, but it did not enter.
Over in Lockport on the 24th, we have Gerald and Tim checking out the lock and dam compound north and south chimney in the evening. Two Swifts entered the north chimney about 40 minutes apart. Another two entered the south chimney right after the last entry from the north chimney. The two pairs would remain in their respective chimneys for the rest of the monitoring period.
Barbara and Phil had an adventure at the Wasagaming Information Centre on the 25th. They decided to watch its chimney for the evening. Barbara noted that the building was recently re-shingled, however we have confirmation from park staff that it was done outside the Chimney Swift season, so it should not have impacted the swifts at all. Although there were no Swifts, it was pleasant to sit around a bed of flowers with the strong scent of lilacs, having robins and Juncos serenading them throughout the evening. As they said in their email, “It sure is different from standing in the back lane of Osborne Village!”
At the Assiniboine Park zoo tower, on the 27th, Barb and Rob watched the tower on the Friday morning. They caught three Swifts flying about, but no entry. They noticed that the hole being used by the woodpecker has become substantial and worrying. It would probably be best to break this cycle of damage, so that this does not happen again next year through some repair work in the bird “off” season. While we would like to support all birds – having the inside of the tower open to the elements (when it was not supposed to be) could impact the structural integrity of the tower through issues such as water damage, etc. Like Barb says, “Swifts should be given housing priority!” We didn’t realize when the tower was installed that we would have an extra “tenant”!
- Vicky
