Welcome to another weekly update, where we share what the Chimneys Swifts – and our volunteers – have been up to!
The soggy conditions across Manitoba thankfully came to a pause this week. We mostly saw warm temperatures with fair degrees of humidity across the province. With the inclement weather (hopefully) behind us, we’ve all been keen to see how the swifts have fared in the aftermath. Let’s take a look:
Selkirk
Beginning our recap in Selkirk, volunteers have stayed consistent with their watches – as per usual! On July 4th, Winona monitored an apartment block on Main St. during the roosting hour. A group of four swifts were seen in the area, and their roosting began ~20 minutes prior to sunset. Two swifts made their way into the chimney, but one of them had a change of heart and decided to make an exit only two minutes before sunset. Minutes later, she observed another two entries. Swift activity ceased at 10:00 PM. In total, three swifts tucked into the chimney to roost.
A few evenings later, on July 8th, Nia and Linda kept watch of the Stack Replacement Tower (T04) and the Yellow Brick chimney at SMHC. At T04, activity was minimal – the pair observed two entries that occurred more than a half hour past sunset. This is quite a difference compared to the frequent post-sunset entries and exits noted in the last recap… perhaps the swifts were feeling more decisive this week? Oh, the joys and mysteries of Chimney Swift monitoring! At the Yellow Brick chimney, two swifts entered the chimney to roost overnight.
On July 9th, Fred and Nettie did an evening watch at SMHC’s Taller West Tower (T01). Interestingly, an entry was made at 8:20 PM – well before the roosting hour began. This was then followed by an exit at 9:10 PM. Then at 9:25 PM and 9:45 PM, respectively, single entries were observed. However, Fred and Nettie did note that there may have been a possible exit or very close fly-by at 9:40 PM. Sometimes, both parents will leave the nesting site before roosting hour ends for a final opportunity to feed. Based on what was observed, this is a very possible scenario! This site has definitely captured our intrigue, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the swifts continue to show us.
Lastly, out of Selkirk, the SMHC Infirmary chimney and the Infirmary-attached Tower (T03) were monitored by Dennis and Patti on the evening of July 10th. At the chimney, the roosting hour saw two entries, followed by an exit, with another four entries then occurring within a 10-minute window. Five swifts were inside when monitoring concluded. At T03, two entries were made, resulting in two roosting swifts.
St. Andrews
Gerald once again kept tabs on the Chimney Swift goings-on in St. Andrews. Overall, it was a quiet night at the three Lower Fort Garry sites on July 5th. That evening, no activity was observed at the Red Shingled Building – which seems to be a running theme. A single roosting hour entry was seen at the Furloft, and the Men’s House had an exit/entry just over 10 minutes apart. A better inference of what the St. Andrew’s swifts are up to was made last week, but with more limited activity seen this week, drawing any possible conclusions is challenging.
On July 8th, Gerald saw a lot of activity at the Lock and Dam Powerhouse chimneys. An exit was first observed at the South Chimney at 8:47 PM, indicating a swift was inside prior to roosting hour – and perhaps even multiple! This suspicion was confirmed when an entry was then made at 9:30 PM, followed by two exits 10 minutes apart at 9:33 PM and 9:43 PM, respectively. Therefore, when that initial exit was made, a second swift must’ve been on the nest! An entry/exit then happened at 9:47/9:51 PM – likely a feeding of their brooded young. Two last entries were then made at 9:54 PM and 10:00 PM. Since two birds were seen exiting and entering at various points, I’m wondering if a third helper swift is involved in incubation, here.
Interesting activity was also seen at the North Chimney. First, an exit was made at 8:33 PM. No interactions with the chimney were then seen until 9:01/9:02 PM, when two pairs entered in just over a minute of each other. At this point, four birds would’ve been inside. An exit was then made at 9:03 PM – a probable exchange – followed by two more at 9:11 PM and 9:49 PM. For brevity’s sake, here’s a breakdown of what then occurred in the next ~10-minute timeframe:
- 9:49 PM – 1 exit
- 9:53 PM – 2 entries
- 9:55 PM – 1 exit
- 9:56 PM – 1 entry
- 9:57 PM – 1 exit
- 9:58 PM – 1 entry
- 9:59 PM – 1 exit
With such frequent intervals of entries/exits – coupled with the fact that up to four swifts were observed inside at once – is it possible that it’s acting as both a natal and roosting site? Stay tuned!
St. Adolphe
Exciting activity is still very much underway! This is what Barb had to say about the St. A sites this week:
July 7th
“Good news continues in ST A… I did a 30 min. scan session behind the Rectory this morning between 9:30 – 10:00 AM. The swifts weren’t around when Qilliaq and I arrived to tend the planters at 9:15 AM but after 15 min., the flock started assembling. A max of 10 was counted = pairs with touching flights and V displays; some trio flying; group flying at large; and lots of low level feeding. I saw repeated drops ‘n’ veering off and low level flyovers of the Church chimney with some tilts…the peer ‘n’ veer events telegraph some interest of what’s inside. On July 1st, some feeding activity was picked up (brooded young involved) and today would be at least Day 7, so likely the non-brooded stage has been reached. When the juveniles can control their body temperatures, both parents can go off feeding and the youngsters are visible to other swifts as they pass by. Those birds are socially connected for sure. At 9:57:38 a single bird broke away from a low flying group over the parking lot and flew directly to the Church chimney and dropped in. At 9:58:12 a single bird exited the Church and flew quickly east to the cemetery field.”
“Lewis … watched the Club on Tuesday July 7; 12:20 PM to 2:05 PM; 24 C; high cloud. Max = 7 flying about and a lot of pair and trio flights mainly north of the Club Amical. An entry into the SE Club chimney was seen at 12:51 and an exit was seen at 12:53. Given the long session and quick turnaround time, it appears that incubation is underway. I get the sense that many breeding pairs of swifts had a later than usual startup this season.”
July 9th
“The Church action was engaging and highlighted changes to the activity at a nest site as breeding swifts make progress with their nesting attempt. Thursday, July 9: 9:11 AM – 9:51 AM; no precipitation; light air movement; 0-24% cloud cover; 22 C. 9:20:25 entry 9:21:46 exit; duration-in interval = 1 min. 21 sec.; adult exchange or single bird making a feeding entry? 9:24:00 entry; between-visit interval = 2 min. 14 sec., so likely involves a second swift 9:25:46 exit; duration-in interval = 1 min. 46 sec. 9:39:00 entry; between-visit interval ~13-17 min. 9:41:51 entry; 2 IN which indicates a pair is feeding non-brooded juveniles 9:49:48 exit into a group flying low over the rim; duration-in interval ~8 or 11 min.; 7 IN AIR + 1 IN chimney = total of 8 swifts accounted for. Multiple observations of swifts flying over low to the rim for tilt ‘n’ veer viewing which also telegraphs unbrooded young inside. 4 feeding entries made in 40 min. = rate of 6 X hour which is very good!”
July 10th
“Friday, July 10: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM; no precipitation; light air movement; high haze; 23 C plus humidex advisory; Weather statement issued. Many low flying swifts feeding in vicinity. Moulting was evident as seen by discontinuities and gaps in the trailing wing margins (check out the blog from July 15, 2015 = July Update: field identification of adult Chimney Swifts in the summer range). 9:59:39 entry; 1 of 7 swifts seen in area ~10:00 entry; 2 IN Feeding rate ~4 X hour which is good but less than seen on Thursday. This shows variability between days.”
Winnipeg
Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry
Quite a bit of monitoring in the Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry neighbourhood took place this week! Chantel monitored the Ludlow Court Apartments (a 2026 Priority Site) on the evening of July 4th. Although she spotted a swift flying in the area, no direct interaction with the site was observed.
On July 5th, John conducted a daytime watch of both chimneys at River Manor Apartments. At the Visible Chimney, no entries or exits were seen. At the Invisible Chimney, a possible entry and exit were noted. Since the chimney is – as the name suggests – invisible from the viewing location, these events couldn’t be confirmed with 100% certainty. However, John did describe the swift’s low flight as a possible indication of chimney use.
Program Assistants Brooke and Gibson spent time monitoring Priority Sites in the area during the day, both as a duo and individually. As a pair, they monitored four sites on July 7th. Beginning at the Mall-Plaza Apartments, they accounted for eight swifts total, but none were seen using the chimney. They then headed to Lincoln Towers Apartments. Excitingly, they were able to confirm use of this chimney and cross it off the Priority List! Two entries and a single exit were made. Their next Priority Site – Redboine Apartments – was also a success: the first exit was seen at 12:05 PM (…they likely missed the initial entry), followed by an entry/exit interval at 12:36/12:38 PM. Seems like an incubation switch-off! Lastly, at the House of Hesed, no use of the chimney was observed, although five swifts were flying in the area.
On July 8th, Brooke solo-monitored four Priority Sites. At Ludlow Court Apartments, neither chimney procured any swift activity, and none were seen in the area. The swifts don’t seem to be using the chimney at the Royal Oak Court Apartments either, though four were seen flying over the building. Moxam Court produced hopeful results, with a sneaky exit observed. Though no other direct use of the chimney was seen, frequent pass-bys and fake-outs were noted. Brooke then ended her day at Children’s Education Funds Inc., where no swift activity was observed.
Gibson’s solo day first brought him to Fontana where no swifts made entries or exits, but the presence of four swifts in the area was recorded. Similar results were captured at an apartment on Scott St., with no chimney use seen but a maximum of five swifts accounted for. However, two exits were made 13 minutes apart at The Rosemount! Gibson noted that these exits were quiet and sneaky. It’s curious that two exits occurred back-to-back – but perhaps there’s a helper inside if incubation is underway. Hooray for another confirmed Priority Site! Lastly, at The Biltmore, no swifts were seen in the area, but Gibson did hear vocalizations.
Charleswood/Tuxedo/Westwood
Graham observed daytime swift activity at CMU on July 8th. An exit was seen at 10:32 AM, followed by an entry/exit interval at 11:16/11:19 AM. A sure sign of an incubation exchange between the pair!
One of the most exciting events of the week was a new site discovery on July 10th! Following a tip submitted to Steering Committee Chair Tim, Program Coordinator Mackenzie conducted a daytime watch at a private residence in the neighbourhood. A total of five swifts were observed near the site. Mackenzie witnessed a confident entry made by a single swift, confirming use of this once undiscovered site!
East Kildonan/Elmwood
Alexia and Erin watched the MMF Tower during the day, on July 9th. A likely exchange happened at 11:16/11:17 AM, when two swifts entered and one exited. Either one of the swifts changed their mind immediately following the entry, or there may be up to three swifts using the tower for nesting!
St. James
Breanne did an evening watch at the Assiniboine Hotel (“Bev. Room” chimney) on July 9th. During the roosting hour, the order of events was two entries, two exits, and two entries. It looks like these swifts were indecisive about when to hunker down for the evening, but in the end, both settled inside to roost. Breanne reported that this was her “…happiest day of swift watching this summer”, which was very heartwarming to read! We definitely share in her excitement of being able to confirm this Priority Site. Thank you, Breanne!
… And with that, another recap comes to a close! Thank you so much to the volunteers who monitored this week. Of course, we encourage everybody to review the updated Priority Site list and pick one to monitor – we would greatly appreciate your assistance! As well, our next MCSI Blitz will be taking place on Wednesday, August 12th. Plenty of time for you to have a look at the list and see which sites you might be able to visit!
Catch you next week 😊
– Brooke (Program Assistant)
