Hello!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the National Chimney Swift Roost Survey Protocol (NRMP) this year. The fourth and final night of NRMP was on June 2 – we will go into what was seen chimney-side in our monitoring recap below.
Our next scheduled monitoring date is on Wednesday, June 18. The goal of these monthly monitoring blitzes is to monitor as many chimneys and towers as possible, to get a snapshot of what is happening at different sites throughout the province. You can choose to monitor during the day or during the roosting hour – or both! Whatever works best for you.
Consistent daytime entries and exits are already being observed at some nesting sites, while some sites are still being used primarily during the roosting hour. As we move into further into June (and the swifts continue to build their nests and begin incubating), daytime activity should become more and more consistent.
If you are interested in checking out a new site, please take a look through our priority site list (we include an updated list at the end of each blog post). Alternatively, there are many many sites in our database and they are not all checked regularly. If you see a site in the database that you are interested in checking out, it would be great to know if they are currently being used by swifts!
Quick note: we don’t include the house numbers for private residences on the website, but if there is a private residence you are interested in monitoring, please send us an email.
The monitoring results from 2021-2024 which includes the site list can be found here: https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/Documents/2024_2021_database.pdf
Monitoring recap
Dauphin
Ken watched the Malcolm Block building (the main roost site in Dauphin) on June 3, and saw 19 swifts entered the chimney.
Dominion City
We’ve gotten word from Dave in Dominion City that the swifts have returned to his chimney on Coulter St. He’s seen at least 1 swift enter his chimney and has seen up to 4 swifts flying around, so there may be some more sites here! Exciting.
La Broquerie
Frank watched the St Joachim Church in La Broquerie and saw lots of activity! At the large chimney, there were 6 entries and 1 exits for a total of 5 swifts roosting in the chimney. At the small chimney, 1 swift entered during the roosting hour.
Lockport
On June 5, Gerald monitored the St. Andrews Lock and Dam Maintenance Compound. At the south chimney, he saw 2 entries at 9:24pm. At the north chimney, he saw 1 exit at 8:39pm, 1 entry at 9:21pm, 1 exit at 9:29pm, and 1 entry at 9:30pm. Great to see that there is activity at both chimneys now, including a daytime exit in the north chimney indicating that nest building is likely underway!
Lower Fort Garry
On June 2, Gerald watched the Fur Loft and the Men’s House chimneys at Lower Fort Garry. At the Fur Loft, he saw 2 entries around 8:35pm, 2 exits at 8:44pm, and 2 entries around 9:11pm (2 swifts roosting in the chimney). At the Men’s House, he saw 1 exit at 8:36pm, 1 entry at 8:47pm, 1 entry at 8:39pm, 1 exit at 8:51pm, and 2 entries around 9:08pm (3 swifts roosting in the chimney).
Morden
Marvin, Evelyn and Marty watched Lucky’s Chinese Restaurant and the Pembina Hills Arts Centre on June 2. They only saw 2 swifts during the monitoring session, which appeared and flew straight towards the chimney. They saw 1 entry at Lucky’s and did not see the other swift fly into the chimney, so it’s unclear where the other swift went. There were no entries at the Arts Centre.
Otterburne
Brett watched the 3 chimneys at Providence College. At the “large chimney” (site 551), he saw 1 exit at 8:56pm. At the “skinny chimney” (site 552), he saw 2 entries around sunset time.
Portage la Prairie
Gordon monitored the Trinity United Church on June 4. At the south chimney, he saw 1 exit at 9:08pm, 1 entry at 9:52pm, and 1 entry at 10:04pm.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Luc monitored the church on June 2 and saw 5 entries and 1 exit during the roosting hour, with a final count of 4 swifts in the chimney.
Selkirk
There has been a LOT of swift activity at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre so far this year, much of which has been difficult to interpret. It will be very interesting to see what unfolds this season at each of the 4 towers and 2 chimneys!
On NRMP Night 4 (June 2), Nia and Linda watched the Yellow Brick chimney and T04. At the Yellow Brick chimney, they saw 2 entries at 9:20pm, 1 exit at 9:30pm, 3 entries at 9:38pm, 2 exits and 1 entry around 9:42pm, and 4 entries from 9:47pm-9:52pm (5 swifts roosting in the chimney). At T04, they saw 1 entry at 9:19pm, 1 exit at 9:34pm, and 2 entries at 9:42pm (2 swifts roosting in the chimney). Dennis and Patti monitored the Infirmary chimney and T03. At the Infirmary, Patti and Dennis saw 2 entries at 8:53pm, 2 exits at 9:05pm, 1 entry at 9:35pm, 1 exit at 9:39pm, and 2 entries at 9:40pm (2 swifts roosting in the chimney). At T03, there were 29 entries and 12 exits between 8:59pm and 9:55pm! There were up to 21 swifts in the tower at once, and 17 swifts in the tower at the end of the roosting tower. Fred and Nettie watched T01 and saw 3 entries at 8:15pm, 1 exit at 8:16pm, 1 exit at 8:19pm, 1 entry at 8:33pm, 1 exit at 8:41pm, 1 entry at 8:55pm, 1 exit at 9:01pm, and 5 more entries spread out between 9:12pm-9:47pm (6 swifts roosting in the tower). Lisa and Monty watched T02 and saw 5 entries between 9:03pm-9:57pm (5 swifts roosting in the tower).
Tim and Amy H. monitored at SMHC on June 3 during the daytime. They saw no activity at T01, T02 and T04. At T03, there was 1 entry at 10:38am and 1 exit at 10:42am.
On June 8, Lisa and Monty watched T02 and saw 5 entries between 9:25pm and 10:02pm. Dennis and Pattie watched T03 and the Infirmary chimney. At the Infirmary, they saw 2 entries around 9:38pm, 1 entry at 9:50pm, 2 exits at 9:51pm, 1 entry at 9:57pm, 1 exit at 9:58pm, 3 entries at 10:00pm, and 1 exit at 10:03pm. That’s up to 4 swifts in the chimney at once, but only 3 in the chimney at the end of the roosting hour. At T03, there was even more activity! From 9:08pm to a little past 10pm, there were 17 entries and 9 exits, with up to 9 swifts in the tower at once but only 8 swifts in at the end of the roosting hour. It is possible that more swifts may have entered these sites after dark. A late night for the swifts!
St. Adolphe
Barb has been keeping a close eye on the sites in St Adolphe. As of June 8, all 5 nesting sites were occupied, with the breeding pairs in nest building mode. Great news!
St. Norbert
Blaire monitored the St. Norbert Behavioural Health Foundation on May 29 and June 2. On May 29, she saw 2 entries at 9:07pm. On June 2, she observed 2 entries at 9:29pm.
Winnipeg
Chantel and Evan monitored 424 River on June 2 (NRMP Night 4) and saw 160 swifts enter the chimney during the roosting hour.
Amy M. watched the Moorgate on June 2 and saw 4 entries during the roosting hour.
Cain monitored the Fleetwood Apts and the Lothian Block (154 Evanson St) on June 2 and saw no entries at either site.
Cam monitored the Assiniboine School on June 3 and though he saw 6 swifts overhead, only 1 swift entered the chimney during the roosting hour.
Jo and Betsy watched the Assiniboine Park Zoo tower on June 2 and saw 2 exits at 9:07pm, 1 entry at 9:16pm, and 1 entry at 9:19pm.
John watched the chimney at CMU on June 2 and while he saw up to 3 swifts overhead, he only saw 1 entry at 9:19pm. He mentions that he was interrupted several times by people who had questions, so it was difficult to concentrate on the swift counting and may have missed a couple entries. Graham and Tyler monitored this chimney on June 10 and saw 4 entries between 9:14pm-9:55pm.
Blair has been busy monitoring different sites in St-Boniface. He started NRMP Night 4 off with a quick stop at Springs Christian Academy (261 Youville St) during which he saw 2 entries at 9:07pm. He then headed to the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd) for the remainder of the roosting hour. While he saw 2 swifts flying in the area, he did not see any entries or exits at this site.
On June 1, Blair spent 15 minutes at 690 St Joseph St and saw 3 entries. On June 3, Blair watched Nelson McIntyre Collegiate (188 St Mary’s Rd) and saw 1 exit at 9:18pm followed by 2 exits at 9:21pm. On June 10, Blair monitored Eurocraft Office Furnishings (847 Marion St) and saw no activity. He also watched the Fire Hall (864 Marion St) and saw 1 entry at 9:08pm. On June 11, Blair monitored The Riverside (531 St Mary’s Rd) and saw 2 entries around 9:12pm.
Garry monitored 722 Watt St on June 4. Though he had previously observed 5 swifts flying around the chimney on a few occasions in May, only 2 swifts were seen entering the chimney for the night on June 4.
On June 4, Gwen monitored the Curtis Hotel on Henderson Hwy and saw 2 entries around 9:33pm.
On June 4, Marilyn and Pam monitored 780 Elizabeth Road (Arundel Apartments) which is on our priority site list. They saw 2 entries at 9:26pm – woohoo, priority site = confirmed!
Marilyn and Pam also monitored another priority site, 865 Tache Ave (Civic Roofing), on May 21 but did not see any activity. On June 11, Marilyn and Pam monitored St Mary’s Road United Church and saw 2 exits at 8:45pm, and 2 entries at 9:41pm. This site hasn’t had confirmed swifts in a few years, so it’s great to know they are back.
That’s all for now. Thanks everyone!
Priority site list (June 12):
| Community | Neighbourhood | Address | Site name | Observer |
| Carman | – | 2nd St | Private residence | |
| Dauphin | – | 404 1st St. SW | St. Paul’s Anglican Church | |
| Eriksdale | – | 16 Railway Avenue | St John’s Anglican Church/Eriksdale Museum | |
| Melita | – | Veteran’s Way | Private residence | |
| Pilot Mound | – | Railway St | Private residence | |
| Souris | – | 5th Ave W | Private residence | |
| Souris | – | 2nd St S | Private residence | |
| Luc B. | ||||
| Stonewall | – | 336 Main St | Prairie Zen Massage | |
| Swan River | – | 518 Main Street | Commercial building | |
| The Pas | – | 627 Cathedral Ave | Cathedral Apartments | |
| Wasagaming | – | 106 Buffalo Drive | Dragonfly Delights Team Room | |
| Winnipeg | Charleswood/Tuxedo/Westwood | Park Boulevard N | Private residence | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 222 York Ave | Brink’s Canada | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 222 York Ave | Brink’s Canada | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 71 Kennedy St | Scarsdale Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 100 Adelaide Street | Immigrant Centre Building | |
| Winnipeg | City Centre | 91 Albert Street | The Old Market Autonomous Zone | |
| Winnipeg | Daniel McIntyre | Canora St | Private residence | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Garry | 1022 Pembina Highway | Cambridge Hotel | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 411 Stradbrook Ave | Lancaster Apartment | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 272 Cockburn Street | King George Court | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 141 River Avenue | Ludlow Court Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 280 River Avenue | Moxam Court | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 245 Bell Avenue | Children’s Education Funds Inc | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 834 Grosvenor | Eugene Apartments | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge | 444 River Ave | Augustine United Church | |
| Winnipeg | Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry | Balmoral St | Private residence | |
| Winnipeg | North Kildonan | 25 Valhalla Drive | Valhalla Gardens | |
| Winnipeg | Point Douglas | 442 William Avenue | Filcasa Housing Coop | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights | 465A Lanark St | Lanark Gardens | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights | 465D Lanark St | Lanark Gardens | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights/Fort Garry | 394 Academy Road | Academy Uptown Lanes | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights/Fort Garry | Dorchester Ave | Private residence | |
| Winnipeg | River Heights/Fort Garry | Kylemore Ave | Private residence | |
| Marilyn B. & Pam L. | ||||
| Winnipeg | St Boniface | 223 Archibald Street | Archibald Storage, large chimney | |
| Winnipeg | St Boniface | 865 Tache Ave. | Civic Roofing | |
| Winnipeg | St Boniface | 99 Birchdale Avenue | Nordale School | |
| Winnipeg | St James | 2285 Portage Avenue | Foodfare, St James | |
| Winnipeg | St James | 2415 Portage Avenue | Essex House, pest cage | |
| Winnipeg | St Vital | 185 Fernwood Ave | St Vital – Niakwa Manor | |
| Winnipeg | Transcona | 1305 Winona Street | Transcona Collegiate | |
| Winnipeg | West Broadway | 39 Balmoral Street | Apartment | |
| Winnipeg | West End | 318 Home St | Mennonite Church | |
| Winnipeg | West Kildonan | 187 Kilbride Avenue | Kildonan United Church | |
| Winnipeg | West Kildonan | 31 McBeth St | McBeth House (B) East chimney (centre) | |
| Winnipeg | West Kildonan | 31 McBeth St | McBeth House (C) South chimney (right) |
Cheers,
Marissa
