Time for another Chimney Swift monitoring summary! This post will review all of the data collected between June 13th and 19th. Luckily, the tumultuous weather seemed to have ceased, with temperatures ranging from the low-teens to low-twenties during monitoring sessions. Good news for the swifts, who are likely beginning nest construction!
We also held our first MCSI Chimney Swift Blitz on June 17th. As you’ll see, we were able to collect data from multiple towns across Manitoba, which helps to paint an overall picture of swift activity in the province! A big thank you to those who volunteered their time, and exciting news for those who would still like to participate: we will be holding two more blitzes on July 15th and August 12th. If you’d like to complete either a daytime or roosting hour watch on these dates, we would be extremely appreciative! But as always, we are happy to receive data from any monitoring sessions you’re able to conduct.
Let’s jump into the summary:
La Broquerie
On June 17th – the first MCSI Blitz – Frank watched both chimneys at St. Joachim Church. He noted that trios were flying around the site, with six swifts accounted for altogether. At each chimney, there was one entry just before roosting hour and two during the roosting hour, respectively. Thus, three swifts took shelter in each chimney, accounting for all six that Frank observed.
Selkirk
On June 13th, Nia and Linda teamed up to monitor the Stack Replacement Tower (T04) and the Powerhouse/“Yellow Brick” Chimney at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre (SMHC), beginning shortly before roosting hour. At T04, they observedfive swifts enter to roost for the evening. The Yellow Brick Chimney also showed activity, with three swifts having settled in to roost after making multiple entries and exits.
More monitoring took place a few days later, on June 16th. Two teams were stationed at SMHC – Dennis, Patti & Brittany, and Lisa & Monty. The former kept watch of both the Infirmary Chimney (East) and the Infirmary-attached Tower (T03), while the latter watched the Smaller Tower (East; T02). At the Infirmary Chimney, seven entries and two exits resulted in five swifts settling in to roost overnight. T03 was also occupied by a group of three swifts who spent the night inside. At T02, an exit was observed just prior to roosting hour (although no entry was recorded), and the evening concluded with two roosting swifts. Lisa and Monty also noted that they could still hear Chimney Swift vocalizations upon the conclusion of their monitoring period.
Lastly, Winona also monitored on the evening of June 16th. At the Merchants Hotel, a pair of swifts were active throughout the monitoring period. During the daytime (albeit very close to roosting hour), both an entry and exit were noted – followed by another entry/exit set before the two swifts went into the chimney to roost. Hopefully, nesting activity is underway!
St. Adolphe
Program Assistant Gibson headed out to monitor the chimney at Brodeur Bros. on the evening of the MCSI Blitz. After no use of the chimney was observed after multiple daytime monitoring sessions, Barb advised that a roosting hour session may produce more activity. The outcome was two swifts entering the chimney to roost! This was an incredibly exciting event that Gibson witnessed: because the Brodeur Bros. chimney had been outfitted with a rain shield in May of this year, roosting activity confirms that swifts can quickly adapt to using a modified habitat. Congratulations to Gibson for witnessingthis historic event, and a big thank you to Barb for her collaboration and expertise!
The new rain shield on the Brodeur Bros./Daycare chimney in St. Adolphe. Photo by Barb.
St. Andrews
Gerald monitored the Red Shingled Building, the Furloft, and the Men’s House at Lower Fort Garry on the evening of June 14th. Across the three sites, a maximum of six swifts were seen. The Red Shingled Building saw three post-sunset entries, but a single swift changed their mind and exited at 10:00 PM. It was a relatively quiet evening at the Furloft, with no activity noted until two roosting hour entries were made. Finally, at the Men’s House, Gerald observed a confirmed entry and possible exit just before the roosting hour. Three swifts then entered the chimney during roosting hour, with none exiting.
St. Jean Baptiste
Luc also contributed to our Chimney Swift Blitz with a session at Paroisse Saint-Jean-Baptiste on June 17th. He observed one ‘daytime’ entry (just two minutes before the start of roosting hour), followed by 10 roosting hour entries. None of the swifts reemerged after entering the chimney, with a total of 11 spending the night inside. This is officially the largest roosting site ofthe recap!
Winnipeg
Charleswood/Tuxedo/Westwood
A total of four sites were visited in this neighbourhood during the MCSI Blitz.
Brooke completed two daytime monitoring sessions at two private residences – both of which were Priority Sites. Neither site exhibited any swift activity. Although not directly at the sites, she did see and hear swifts within the surrounding areas of both homes.
That evening, Jo and Betsy kept watch of the Assiniboine Park Tower (T8). A trio was seen flying near the tower during roosting hour. Right around sunset, the first entry was made by a single swift, followed by a second shortly after. No other activity was reported after the pair had entered the tower to roost.
Finally, Tyler, Catherine and Graham monitored the Canadian Mennonite University chimney. The team observed a total of two swifts, with both entering the chimney right around sunset to hunker down for the evening.
Daniel McIntyre
On June 16th, a daytime monitoring session was conducted by Program Assistants Brooke and Gibson at the John Howard Society. As a Priority Site, they were hoping to get a glimpse of swifts using the chimney – but sadly, to no avail. No activity was reported within the vicinity of the chimney, apart from a Rock Pigeon who seemed very fond of perching on its rim. The only sign of swifts was a pair seen flying far in the distance, clearly heading elsewhere.
Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry
Three Priority Sites were monitored by Brooke and Gibson in this neighborhood. On June 16th at a private residence, there was no lack of swift activity… but just none at the actual chimney. They counted five swifts in the general area. Although no entries or exits were observed, they did witness the swifts make frequent passes beside (and even through!) one particular tree. Perhaps they could have been collecting nesting material to bring back to a site nearby?
Moreover – and not saving the best for last – Brooke and Gibson also headed to an apartment building on Broadway. Activity was seen straight away, with fly-bys from five swifts occurring frequently. A much-celebrated first entry was made, followed by a second entry 12 minutes later. After the pair spent a little time together inside, they re-emerged one after the other. The two swifts made another set of back-to-back entries shortly after – and once again spent a few minutes inside before exiting together. This was a very exciting confirmation of activity at this Priority Site!
The following day, on June 17th (MCSI Blitz), Gibson monitored the chimney at King George Court. No Chimney Swift activity was observed.
River Heights/Fort Garry
Similarly, Brooke and Gibson split up to conduct daytime monitoring of five Priority Sites on theMCSI Blitz day.
Brooke’s first stop was at River Heights Apartments. The first obstacle was not being able to find a suitable vantage point due to heavy construction in the area, and significant tree coverage. Once she did manage to get set up, it became apparent that there weren’t any swifts in the area. She concluded the session early due to a total lack of activity. Just next door, the second stop – Uptown Lofts – sadly produced the exact same results.
Nearby, Gibson began the morning at a private residence. He observed a pair in the area but didn’t see any use of the chimney. At his next stop – also a private residence – no swifts were seen interacting with the chimney, as it appeared to have been capped. His final stop of the day was Milan Apartments, and lo and behold… there were swifts! Gibson counted a total of five in the area, with two single entries resulting in a pair inside the chimney together. They did not make an exit prior to the conclusion of his monitoring session. Hooray for another confirmed use of a Priority Site!
St. Boniface
Blair visited Springs Christian Academy for a roosting hour watch on June 13th. Over the course of the monitoring period, two late-daytime entries were recorded, followed by two roosting hour exits. A few minutes after sunset, a pair flew above the building, and one broke away to make a final entry to roost – the second swift flew away and did not return prior to the conclusion of monitoring, resulting in a single swift inside.
… That brings this recap to a close! To wrap up, we’d like to extend another huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers who make this all possible. As the summer progresses, we’re hoping to confirm use of more Priority Sites, observe nesting activity, and see what else the swifts have in store for us. If you’d like to get involved in any capacity, drop a line to Mackenzie at mbchimneyswift@gmail.com. We’ll continue to share updates on a frequent basis – and don’t forget to keep tabs on the updated Priority Site list as we continue to visit them! Last but not least, please follow us on Instagram: @mbchimneyswift ☺︎
Yours in birding,
Brooke (Program Assistant)
