End of June Update: Hatchlings on the horizon
Hello!
Well, it’s been a pretty cold and rainy summer so far. As we approach the end of June, we’re hoping that the swifts’ nesting attempts continue along successfully despite the challenging conditions.
During the past several weeks, nesting swifts have been in the incubation stage of the nesting process. During this stage (which lasts 18-21 days), the eggs in the nest must be kept warm by one of the parents. The parents take turns covering the eggs, and the switch-off is what we refer to as an ‘incubation exchange’ – an entry, followed by an exit within a couple of minutes (both of which are usually silent and sneaky). This switch-off only happens about once per hour, so it’s not the most exciting or eventful nesting stage from a monitoring perspective.
Fortunately, more ‘eventful’ monitoring is on the horizon! Once the eggs hatch and there are young swifts to feed, there will be a lot more in and outs by the swift parents. It’s hard to predict exactly when hatching will occur. Barb explains that “July 1st is the rule of thumb date subtle transition from 1 quick, classic incubation exchange per hour to the increased rate of 2-3 times an hour which characterizes the feeding brooded young stage. After 6-7 days, when the juveniles are non-brooded, the feeding rates go even higher to 3-4 times per hour. “
More context from Barb: “In 2022, which was similarly wet ‘n’ cold at the start the breeding season, hatching took place at the NE Club Amical chimney on July 1, while other sites had eggs hatch out between 11-17 of July = the latest clump of hatch dates in 17 years of monitoring!”
Thanks to everyone who’s continued to monitor, despite the lower activity levels. Since last week, we’ve confirmed three more priority sites (updated list at the end of this post). As hatching begins and entry/exit rates increase, July will be a great time for checking for occupancy at our priority sites!
Lower Fort Garry
Gerald watched the chimneys at Lower Fort Garry on June 23 during the roosting hour. He saw 2 entries into the Men’s House, and 2 entries into the Fur Loft. He did not see any diving at other chimneys, like he did last week.
Lockport
Gerald monitored the St Andrews Lock and Dam in Lockport on June 21, and saw 2 entries into the north chimney during the roosting hour.
Selkirk
Patti and Dennis watched T02 during the roosting hour on June 23, and saw 1 exit at 9:13pm, 1 entry at 9:27pm, and 2 entries at 10:01pm for a total of 3 swifts confirmed in the chimney.
Kevin and Evan visited the SMHC the next day, June 24. They monitored from 1:05pm to 2:05pm. At T03, Kevin saw 1 entry at 1:48pm and 1 exit at 1:57pm. At T01, he saw 2 entries at 2:02pm, 1 exit at 2:03pm, and 1 exit at 2:04pm. Evan watched T02 and saw 1 entry at 1:33pm. He also mentioned that while walking to the site, he saw 1 swift exit T04.
With the help of his camera, Gerald checked out 3 of the SMHC sites on June 26. During the monitoring session, Gerald saw at least 10 swifts in the sky at once. At the Infirmary chimney, there was lots of activity – 1 exit at 9:02pm, 1 entry at 9:35pm, 1 exit at 9:45pm, 1 entry at 9:52pm, 1 entry at 10:04pm, and 1 exit at 10:05pm (up to 2 swifts in the chimney at once, but only 1 at the end of the observation period). At T01, there was 1 entry at 9:02pm, 1 exit at 9:16pm, 1 entry at 9:36pm, and 1 entry at 10:06pm (2 swifts in the chimney). At T03, there was 1 exit at 9:17pm, 1 entry at 9:17pm, 1 exit at 9:28pm, and 1 entry at 9:46pm. Hard to know what’s going on at these sites at the moment – time and more monitoring visits will (hopefully) reveal how what is going on in terms of nesting attempts at the SMHC.
St Adolphe
On June 24, Barb watched the two chimneys at the Club Amical (which each have a nesting pair), and she saw classic incubation exchanges at both chimneys. On June 27, Barb watched the Brodeur Bros/Daycare and the Church chimneys and saw classic incubation exchanges at both these sites as well. So as of now, it seems we’ve got incubation ongoing at all four of these sites!
Darlingford
Frank and Jacquie monitored the Darlingford School Heritage Museum on June 24. The conditions were not great for monitoring – it was extremely windy and hot, so the expectations were low. However, within a few minutes of their arrival, they saw 1 swift enter the chimney at 1:48pm! They then saw another entry at 1:50pm and 2 exits at 1:51pm. Frank mentions that he possibly heard another swift chittering high up in the sky.
Morden
Marvin returned to the Pembina Hills Art Centre for a roost hour watch on June 26. Last week, he saw 4 swifts enter this chimney. While he did see 2 swifts in the sky, he did not see any entries or exits into the chimney this time.
Pilot Mound
Evan and Kevin were in Pilot Mound on June 25 and took a look around for any swift activity. While they did see 2 swifts in the sky around some promising chimneys, they did not see any chimney use. We have yet to figure out which chimney the swifts are currently using in Pilot Mound – hopefully we are able to solve this puzzle eventually!
The Pas
Joel has spotted swifts at a few spots around The Pas. On June 13, he reports 3 swifts over the Bignell Road area around 12:54pm. On June 14, he saw 1 swift over Hazelwood Ave at 7 am, and 3 over the same area a few hours later at 8:56am. On June 20 at 6:30am, he saw 1 swift over the Apartments at 114 3rd St W (the site that was confirmed last year) and 1 over the Uptown Mall. He went back to watch the Lorraine Apts later that afternoon from 2:57pm to 3:27pm, and saw 1 entry at 3 pm and 1 exit at 3:10pm. On June 21, he saw 5 swifts over the Church opposite the Uptown Mall at 6:40am.
Portage la Prairie
Ron was in Portage la Prairie on June 25. Within 1 minute of arriving at Olina’s Jewels, he saw 1 swift exit at 9:42am. He also checked out the Portage Correctional Centre which has 2 chimneys, but he did not see any entries or exits.
Winnipeg
Ron checked out lots of priority sites in Winnipeg this week. On June 24, he watched 1025 Grant Ave and success – he saw 1 exit at 5:55am! He was less lucky at 465D Lanark St and at a private residence on Kylemore Ave– no swifts seen. He was able to confirm swifts at private residence on Avonherst St. At the Augustine United Church (444 River Ave), he saw 2 swifts in the area but he did not see entries/exits into the chimney. He mentioned that they seemed to be trying to enter a different chimney on the same building that appeared to be capped. Mysterious!
On June 26, he continued his quest. He was able to confirm swifts at 198 Furby St (Harvard Apts) and 118 Scott St! He also saw swifts using the chimneys at 803 Erin St and at 1310 Archibald St. He did not have any luck at Ludlow Court Apts (141 River Ave) and Home Street Mennonite Church (318 Home St).
On June 27, Juniper, Richard and Sheila watched the chimney at the Canadian Mennonite University (which was confirmed as a new site earlier this year). They saw 2 entries during the roosting hour.
Updated Priority Site List (June 28):
| Community | Neighbourhood | Address | Site | Observer |
| Eriksdale | – | 16 Railway Ave | St John’s Anglican Church and former Eriksdale Museum | |
| Ron B. | ||||
| Marvin & Evelyn K. | ||||
| Swan River | – | 518 Main St | Commercial building | |
| The Pas | – | 380 Hazelwood Ave | VIA Rail Station | |
| Wasagaming | – | 106 Buffalo Dr | Dragonfly Delights Tea Room | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 100 Adelaide St | Immigrant Centre Building | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 172 Edmonton | Ladywood Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 222 York Ave | Brink’s Canada | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 91 Albert St | The Old Market Autonomous Zone | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Garry | 1022 Pembina Hwy | Cambridge Hotel | |
| Ron B. | ||||
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 141 River Ave | Ludlow Court Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 245 Bell Ave | Children’s Education Funds Inc | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 260 Wentworth Ave | Lady Wentworth Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 272 Cockburn St | King George Court | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 280 River Ave | Moxam Court | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 411 Stradbrook Ave | Lancaster Apartment | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 526 Walker Ave | Clarence Court | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 834 Grosvenor Ave | Eugene Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 444 River Ave | Augustine United Church | |
| Meredith S. | ||||
| Winnipeg | North Kildonan | 25 Valhalla Dr | Valhalla Gardens | |
| Capped | ||||
| Ron B. | ||||
| Winnipeg | River Heights | 465A Lanark St | Lanark Gardens | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights | 465D Lanark St | Lanark Gardens | |
| Cam T. | ||||
| Winnipeg | River Heights | 394 Academy Rd | Uptown Lofts | |
| Winnipeg | St Boniface | 780 Elizabeth Rd | Arundel Apartments | |
| Frank M. | ||||
| Winnipeg | St Boniface | 99 Birchdale Ave | Nordale School | |
| Blair R. | ||||
| Winnipeg | St James | 2285 Portage Ave | Foodfare | |
| Donna M., Eugenia G. | ||||
| Winnipeg | St James | 2415 Portage Ave | Essex House (broken pest cage) | |
| Ron B. | ||||
| Winnipeg | West Broadway | 39 Balmoral St | Apartment | |
| Winnipeg | West End | 318 Home St | Mennonite Church | |
| Jeff H. | ||||
| Winnipeg | West Kildonan | 31 McBeth St | McBeth House (A) middle chimney |
Thanks, and until next week!
Cheers,
-Marissa
