As we get into warmer weather, we are beginning to see our little cigar-shaped feathered friends. According to eBird, the first Chimney Swift sightings of 2023 in Manitoba were on May 9th in St. Jean Baptiste (reported by Luc Blanchette) and at Fort Whyte (reported by Marlene Waldron and Ward Christianson). Everyday, we are receiving more sightings of swifts! We have now had sightings in Carman, Dauphin, Selkirk, St. Adolphe, and various areas around Winnipeg such as St. Norbert, Assiniboine Park, Tuxedo, Wolseley, and North Kildonan.
Our official monitoring period begins next week. This year, our MCSI/NRMP monitoring nights are on May 24th, May 28th, June 1st, and June 5th. See our last blog post (https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/spring-has-sprung/) for a detailed run-down of our this year’s updated flexible monitoring approach and a description of the different types of sites we want to monitor.
We are still looking for volunteers to monitor chimneys that are priority for confirming ‘residence’ status as well as chimneys routinely monitored by MCSI, throughout the spring and summer on a schedule that works for you.
We are also looking for volunteers to monitor the following roost sites on NRMP nights:
Providence College (10 College Crescent, Otterburne)
May 24, May 28, June 1, June 5
River Manor Apartments (424 River Ave, Winnipeg)
May 28, June 1
Assiniboine School (175 Winston Rd, Winnipeg)
May 24, May 28
Rufus Prince Building (5000 Crescent Rd W, Portage La Prairie)
May 24, May 28, June 1, June 5
If you are interested in monitoring one of these roost sites, please let us know which site you would like to watch and which NRMP nights you are available. If you would like to monitor a priority site for confirming ‘residence’ status or would like to continue monitoring a site you have monitored in past years, email us at mbchimneyswift@gmail.com.
We deeply appreciate all the time and effort our volunteers dedicate to Chimney Swifts conservation efforts. The MCSI could not do it without all of you!
Finally, please welcome Aynsley Woods, our program assistant! Aynsley spent lots of time monitoring Swifts last summer, while working with the Province of Manitoba’s Wildlife Branch. Aynsley was helping us out part-time this winter and will now be with us full-time. We are lucky to have her on board!
Happy ‘Swift-ing!
- Marissa and Aynsley
