With the official onset of astronomical summer with the solstice on June 21st, this past week saw mild and often rainy weather across the province. Before getting into the recap, we want to extend good thoughts to our friends and volunteers in the Parkland region, who are dealing with extensive flooding after all this rain. We appreciate everything you do, and we are sending well wishes to everyone affected by the floods. Stay safe out there!
Today’s recap will summarize the results of monitoring from June 20th through the 26th – but first, some info about changes in the availability of Chimney Swift habitat…
Habitat loss
Three chimneys were found to be unusable this week, presenting a loss in potential Chimney Swift roosting and/or nesting habitat. The Immigrant Centre Building chimney (at 100 Adelaide St.) was found to have been at least partially boarded over while two others, at 515 Waterfront Dr. (Vita Foam) and 527 Waterfront Dr. (Restmore Bedding), were demolished.
The chimneys listed above were identified as priority monitoring sites for 2026 because of a lack of activity in the last three summers (2023–2025). However, roosting may have been missed at these sites and these chimneys could have provided important nesting habitat in the future. As noted in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Chimney Swift Q&A web page, “If you are the owner of a structure used by Chimney Swifts… the best way to help is to keep the structure in its current state for as long as possible… [and] to not demolish the chimney…”
If you own a chimney or structure that you suspect is being used by Chimney Swifts, please submit a report on our website or email mbchimneyswift@gmail.com to let us know! If your chimney is being used by Chimney Swifts and is in need of repairs, we may be able to help. MCSI has funding available to help cover the cost of chimney repairs. Contact us to find out if your repair qualifies for funding!
Prior monitoring
Before getting into last week’s data, here is a brief summary of monitoring reports from late May–early June that we received after our last recap:
Carman
Rhonda recorded potential nesting activity with a pair of swifts entering and exiting the Carman Memorial Hall chimney on the morning of June 14th and a single swift entering and exiting during the early evening of the 17th.
Dauphin
Ken observed the chimneys at Scott’s Hardware and Hong Kong Café during the daytime on June 17th, recording two entries and one exit at each chimney. The Harrison Computer Services (Malcolm Block Building) chimney was not used during roosting hour on June 18th and, similarly, no swifts were seen during a daytime monitoring session at the Watson’s Art Center on the 19th.
La Broquerie
Alyssa watched the large and small chimneys at the St. Joachim RC Church during roosting hour on May 28th, June 1st, and June 15th. Chimney Swifts were highly active at this site, with 9–10 recorded on each night! On May 28th, four and two swifts roosted in the large and small chimneys, respectively. On June 1st, these numbers increased to five swifts roosting in the large chimney and four in the small chimney. Most recently, on the 15th, four and three swifts roosted in the large and small chimneys, respectively.
Selkirk
Despite noisy work on the building’s rooftop during the day, Winona recorded three Chimney Swifts in flight near the chimney at 357 Main St. During roosting hour on June 18th. One swift entered the chimney to roost.
St. Andrews
At the St. Andrews lock and dam powerhouse, Gerald recorded a pair of swifts roosting in both the South and North chimneys on June 18th.
Winnipeg
Charleswood/Tuxedo/Westwood
Tai and Elijah observed a pair of swifts entering the chimney at Canadian Mennonite University during roosting hour on June 11th and remaining there to roost. With an owl in the area and occasional heavy rain, this seemed like a smart choice for the swifts.
East Kildonan/Elmwood
Josh and Marci recorded a pair of Chimney Swifts roosting in the MMF Artificial Tower (2025-T9) at 385 Henderson on June 11th. On the 18th, Connor, Riley, and Phoenix recorded a pair repeatedly entering and exiting the tower, signifying nesting activity and likely parents taking turns incubating a clutch of eggs!
Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry
Breanne saw two swifts in flight but recorded no entries to the chimney at Foodfare on Maryland St. during roosting hour on June 11th as rain starting shortly after 9:00 PM put an end to swift activity in the area.
St. Norbert
Finally, Blaire watched the St. Norbert Behavioural Health Foundation’s chimney during roosting hour on June 17th and recorded four swifts entering the chimney to roost.
Saturday, June 20th, to Friday, June 26th
La Salle
Lorne recorded seven Chimney Swifts circling the church steeple just after sunset. Could they be roosting in one of the church’s chimneys? This has yet to be confirmed!
Selkirk
There was plenty of Chimney Swift roosting action in Selkirk this past week!
Winona recorded three Chimney Swifts at the Main Street apartments on June 21st and, while multiple entries to the south chimney were recorded, one swift remained in the chimney at the end of roosting hour.
On June 22nd, Patti observed the East infirmary chimney and the infirmary-attached tower (2021-T03) at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. After many entries and exits, Patti reported five swifts roosting in the East chimney, and a pair settled into the tower at the end of roosting hour.
Nia and Linda watched the stack replacement tower (2021-T04) and the powerhouse/“yellow brick” chimney at the SMHC during roosting hour on June 24th and observed four and three roosting in the tower and chimney, respectively.
Fred and Nettie watched the taller tower West (T2021-01) at the SMHC on June 25th, recording a pair of Chimney Swifts roosting in the tower.
St. Adolphe
Exciting news out of St. Adolphe – Barb is BACK! Some of you may have noticed that all our St. Adolphe monitoring so far this season has been done by Program Assistants Gibson and Brooke, and Steering Committee member Ron. This is because the day after she spotted her first swift in St Adolphe on May 11, things took an unfortunate turn for Barb. While walking Qilliaq the dog on May 12, she spotted several bluebirds in a nearby cottonwood. Next thing she knew, she had stepped in the wrong spot and was sliding down the gravel shoulder of the road, resulting in a broken fibula.
To quote Rob, “Don’t you think you’re carrying this 20th anniversary a bit too far?” Some may recall that Barb and Rob first got involved with MCSI when Barb was at home with a broken arm and heard a callout for swift volunteers on CBC Radio. Luckily, a few weeks in a walking boot has done the trick, and Barb has graduated to an ankle brace, meaning she’s finally able to drive down to St. A to monitor!! We’re very grateful for her speedy recovery and want to give a huge thank you to Gibson, Brooke and Ron for stepping in to monitor the St. A sites in her absence. We’re glad to have you back, Barb!
On June 25th, Barb recorded two Chimney Swifts entering the St. Adolphe Cemetery tower during the day, strongly suggesting a breeding attempt! Additionally, several swifts were seen performing V-displays and collecting nesting materials from a dead willow trunk. On the morning of the 26th, a total of nine swifts were seen in the air. One pair of swifts approached the Brodeur Bros./Daycare chimney and one entered, adding further evidence to a potential breeding attempt at this site.
St. Andrews
Gerald held it down in St. Andrews this past week, watching five chimneys in total! On June 22nd, Gerald observed three chimneys during roosting hour, counting four swifts in total at the site. A pair entered both the Lower Fort Garry furloft (Southeast building) and men’s house chimneys to roost, while no entries were recorded at the red shingled building.
Gerald also watched the north and south chimneys at the St. Andrews lock and dam powerhouse during roosting hour on June 24th, recording a pair entering each chimney to roost.
Winnipeg
East Kildonan/Elmwood
Garry observed the chimney at 712 Watt St. (formerly Pro-Tac Roofing) on the morning of June 21st. Three Chimney Swifts were recorded and, with multiple entries and exits seen, Garry suspects a pair were switching off egg-sitting duties!
During the morning of June 25th, Brookelynn and Jessica monitored the MMF Artificial Tower (2025-T9). A pair of swifts was seen entering and exiting the tower, taking turns visiting their nest!
Charleswood/Tuxedo/Westwood
Michelle and Graham watched the chimney at the Canadian Mennonite University on the evening of June 22nd. A single pair of swifts was seen entering the chimney to roost for the night.
The Assiniboine Park Tower (2018-T8) sees use by nesting Chimney Swifts once again! Thanks to our friends at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, we are able to share a rare glimpse at Chimney Swift activity in the tower during incubation, where up to three adults have been captured (presumably) sitting on eggs and resting near the nest.
Program Assistants Brooke and Gibson ventured into the Exchange District on June 24th and 25th to visit priority monitoring sites during the daytime.
On the 24th, Brooke and Gibson watched the chimneys at the Children’s House (150 Pacific Ave.) and 80 Lombard Ave. (formerly the Nutty Club Food Club). Five Chimney Swifts were seen in flight at the Children’s House while no swifts were seen or heard at 80 Lombard Ave., where the observation period was cut short ~20 min early due to heavy rain. No entries or exits were recorded at either chimney.
On the 25th, they watched five chimneys in the West Exchange. First, no swifts were seen at the Old Market Autonomous Zone chimney. At the Immigrant Centre Building, five Chimney Swifts were recorded flying nearby, and one pair was seen performing courtship behaviour (a “V-display”), but none entered the chimney (which, as mentioned above, appeared to have been at least partially boarded over). At Nejmark Architects, a trio of swifts were seen in the air but did not interact with the chimney. Later in the afternoon, no swifts were seen at the Peck Building; however, minutes after Brooke pointed out a nearby chimney that looked like good swift habitat, a pair was spotted flying into it! This turned out to be the chimney at Jose and Markham (73 Princess St.) which previously had no recorded use! A very exciting turn of events. Finally, no Chimney Swifts were seen at the Gregg Building.
Overall
Thanks as always to all of the volunteers who continue to collect valuable data on Chimney Swift activity across Manitoba. Don’t forget: our monitoring blitzes continue on July 15th and August 12th! Check out our updated Priority List for monitoring to see where we still need to confirm roosting or nesting this year and make sure to follow us on our socials for more updates on all things Chimney Swift!
- Gibson (Program Assistant) & Mackenzie (Program Coordinator)
