Monitors Needed for New Habitat at Assiniboine Park Zoo and in the Wolseley area
The Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative are delighted to be supporting two exciting new habitat projects in Winnipeg this summer. Both of these projects are rooted in the decision in 2014 to demolish the Old Grace Hospital and the large chimney, which was also habitat for Chimney Swifts. In the summer of 2015, a tower was placed on the old site, but unfortunately the tower was constructed late in the year and did not attract swifts.
In 2016 and 2017, the tower was moved as construction began on the Old Grace Housing Cooperative. As mitigation for the destruction of the original chimney, the Housing Coop have constructed a false chimney on the building and we need to monitor this site in 2018 for activities by swifts. This will be the first ever ‘faux’ chimney in Manitoba.
The original tower now resides at the Assiniboine Park Zoo and will be in position by the beginning of May, and ahead of the swifts returning. The tower can be seen from the parking lot by the old entrance.
Here is the crux – we need lots of help, as we would like to get as many days of monitoring covered on both these projects as possible. This would primarily be required during the roosting hour (half an hour either side of sundown). If you are able to help at any time from May 20th onwards, please contact Tim Poole at mbchimneyswift@gmail.com, indicating when you might be available. We will then set up a monitoring timetable for both these projects
–Tim Poole
Habitat Stewardship and Outreach Coordinator
Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative
mbchimneyswift.ca
