If you can believe it, there is a pair of swifts in Manitoba that is likely still feeding chicks! Yep, you read that right – the breeding pair at Selkirk Mental Health’s Centre’s Infirmary chimney are still going strong, despite some very cold days.
We want to send a huge shoutout to the Selkirk volunteers who have continued to monitor weekly, right to the end of this looooong season! Fun fact, the Selkirk Birdwatchers Club was recognized as one of our 2017 Swift Champions (https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/new-swift-champion-plaques-awarded/). Gerald Machnee, who coordinates the Selkirk volunteers and also spends a ton of time monitoring, was recognized individually as one of our 2024 Swift Champions (https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/swift-champions-2024/). We’re very lucky to have you all in our swift community!
Selkirk
T01: Fred and Nettie monitored T01 on Sept 4 from 7:00pm-8:35pm and saw no activity. Gerald monitored T01 on Sept 7 from 7:10pm-8:25pm and once again saw no activity, confirming that the swifts at this site have left on migration.
Infirmary: Despite several days of cold temperatures, it seems the Infirmary swifts have survived and are continued to feed! On Sept 5, Dennis and Patti monitored the Infirmary from 7:30pm-8:32pm and saw 1 entry/exit around 7:44pm, 1 entry at 8:05pm and 1 entry at 8:10pm.
They monitored again on Sept 7 from 7:07pm-8:27pm and saw 1 entry/exit around 7:11pm, 2 entries at 7:35pm followed by 2 exits at 7:37pm, and 2 final entries around 8:00pm.
On September 10 (Tim’s estimated day of fledging), Dennis and Patti watched the site from 6:58pm-7:48pm hoping to catch signs of newly fledged young. They saw 1 entry at 7:11pm, 1 exit at 7:15pm, and 2 entries around 7:30pm. They had to wrap up their session early because of the Fire Department came to do some training near the chimney, so the suspense continues…
Stay tuned for the conclusions of this Selkirk Swift Saga – fingers crossed we will have good news to share soon!
Until then, have a great September!
Cheers,
Marissa
