We were recently delighted to award a Chimney Swift plaque to the effervescent Margaret Yorke and Millie Reid. Margaret and Millie have dedicated many years to numerous birding projects, including the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas.
They are also well know for their long-term maintenance and monitoring of their line of bluebird houses in Oak Lake.
2019 will be their tenth consecutive year of monitoring Chimney Swifts in Brandon, and this alone is a significant reason to celebrate their achievements. The first records of Margaret and Millie watching chimneys in Brandon come from 2010. At this time they watched two different chimneys. Following the demolition of one of these chimneys, Margaret and Millie put considerable effort into monitoring the Orange Block on Princess Street. Their dedication to the cause has been incredible, often watching the chimney at least once per week throughout the season, often confirming that a successful nesting attempt has occurred.
We are therefore delighted that we could present them with a plaque at a recent workshop, and thank Margaret and Millie for not just a decade of swift watching, but many years of dedication to bird monitoring and stewardship in the Province of Manitoba.
Don’t forget our next night of chimney monitoring on Thursday night.
The weather forecast looks positively spring-like (for a change)!
— Tim Poole
