We are back with a summary of the reports we’ve received from Wednesday, June 3rd, to today, Friday, June 12th. What a wild spring! Much of Manitoba has seen warm and stormy weather in June; over the last ten days, volunteers reported temperatures ranging from 18–23°C at the start of roosting hour chimney watches.
Since their arrival in Manitoba, Chimney Swifts have had to endure dust storms, thunder and lightning, hail, and even tornados. They are tough birds! Fun fact (from Audubon Magazine): because Chimney Swifts cannot perch like most other birds, they can only drink from the surface of a water column by swooping past while in flight. Maybe the swifts are enjoying the rain as it brings the water to them!
Once again, a reminder that the fun is far from over now that the National Roost Monitoring Program has come to a close. Our first MSCI Chimney Swift Blitz is next Wednesday, June 17th, followed by additional blitzes on July 15th and August 12th! Our goal during these monthly blitzes is to monitor as many chimneys and towers as possible for nesting activity on these days, particularly at Priority Sites where swifts have not been seen in the last few years. Daytime and roosting hour watches will both provide welcome information. Not free on those days or want to monitor more? We’re happy to receive any observations in addition to Blitzes!
Prior monitoring
A handful of reports have come in after we shared our recap of NRMP nights 3 and 4. Please submit your NRMP night data sheets if you have any remaining!
Winnipeg
North Kildonan
Rudolf observed the Radmon House, Linlee Apartments, and Curtis Hotel chimneys on the evenings of May 26th and 28th. No swifts were seen on the 26th and, while Rudolf reported five Chimney Swifts performing fly-bys at the sites, none entered any of the three chimneys.
Tuesday, June 2nd, to Friday, June 12th
Carman
Rhonda watched the Carman Memorial Hall during roosting hour on Saturday, June 6th, and recorded a single Chimney Swift entering the chimney at the site.
Portage la Prairie
Jana watched the small chimney on the Portage Corrections Centre during roosting hour on June 3rd and saw nine Chimney Swifts near the site. Four swifts resided in the chimney at the end of roosting hour.
On Wednesday, June 10th, Jana observed the short (South) and tall (North) chimneys at Trinity United Church. Jana recorded eight swifts between the two sites; one swift remained in the short chimney at the end of roosting hour, while one swift entered the tall chimney but exited it before the end of watch.
Selkirk
A number of chimneys and towers in Selkirk were observed during roosting hour on Monday, June 8th:
At the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Dennis and Patti watched the Infirmary chimney (East) and the Infirmary-attached tower (T03). They counted ten swifts between the two sites, five of which had tucked away in the chimney at the end of roosting hour, and a pair roosted in the tower. Fred and Nettie observed the Taller Tower (West; T01), counting two swifts which entered the chimney to roost for the night. Lisa and Monty counted nine swifts flying near the Smaller tower (East; T02), three of which remained in the chimney at the end of watch.
Winona observed the apartments at 367 Main St. and saw five swifts at the site, but only one entered the chimney.
St. Adolphe
Program Assistants Brooke and Gibson returned to St. Adolphe for daytime monitoring on Friday, June 12th. A maximum of seven Chimney Swifts were seen in town, frequently flying in pairs or trios and performing V-displays. Gibson and Brooke recorded two Chimney Swifts entering both the St. Adolphe RC Church and the Club Amical (NE) chimneys. Despite some very close fly-bys and fake-out dives, they saw zero entries to the St. Adolphe cemetery tower (T3), the Brodeur Bros. and Club Amical (SE) chimneys, or a private residence on Main St.
St. Andrews
Gerald watched the North Chimney at the St Andrews Lock and Dam Powerhouse on June 5th. Two swifts were counted at the site, both of which entered the chimney and remained there until the end of watch.
Gerald also watched the Lower Fort Garry Furloft, Men’s House, and Red shingled building chimneys during roosting hour on Monday, June 8th. Eight Chimney Swifts were seen in the area, with three entering the Men’s House and Red shingled building chimneys, and two entering the Furloft chimney.
Winnipeg
East Kildonan/Elmwood
Josh and Marci monitored the MMF Artificial Tower at 385 Henderson Hwy during roosting hour on Thursday, June 4th. They counted four swifts at the site, three of which entered the tower to roost.
Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry
Breanne monitored the chimney on the apartment building at 39 Balmoral St. (a 2026 Priority Site!) during roosting hour on Thursday, June 4th. Breanne recorded five Chimney Swifts at the site and one swift remaining in the chimney at the end of roosting hour, crossing this site off our priority list!
River Heights/Fort Garry
Steering Committee Chair Tim noted a Chimney Swift exiting a chimney on the Grant Wilton Apartment building during his commute home on Friday, June 5th.
On Saturday, June 6th, Tim also spotted a pair of swifts flying above the Dollarama at 1295 Pembina Hwy and on Sunday, June 7th, saw six swifts in the sky near 1181 Pembina Hwy; both of these sites are priority monitoring sites for 2026 as roosting/nesting have not been confirmed since 2023.
Finally, Tim spotted a Chimney Swift entering a chimney with a broken pest cage on Pembina Hwy. He will confirm the address of the chimney, but that is our second new site of 2026!
St. Vital
On June 8th, Pam and Sylvia saw three Chimney Swifts at the St. Mary’s Road United Church. Two swifts entered the chimney to roost. Pam returned to the church with Marilyn on June 10th and the two reported only one swift at the site and entering the chimney during roosting hour.
Overall
Another big thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far! We are now on the lookout for Chimney Swift nesting activity – keep an eye out for future updates and check our updated Priority List for monitoring to see where we are still hoping to confirm nesting or roosting!
- Gibson, Program Assistant
