Projects

Category: Barrie Swift Watch

Barrie SwiftWatch 2014

 

Brereton Field Naturalists’ Club’s (BFNC) objective for 2014, as participants in the Ontario SwiftWatch Project, is "to continue building our knowledge of active nest and/or roosting chimneys within the province".

Bird Studies Canada’s (BSC) priority for 2014 :

Conduct Presence/Absence* Surveys for new occupied chimneys.

In addition, BSC recommends:

  • Spot-checking previously identified chimneys to determine if they are still active.
  • Submitting all data from both new & past identified chimneys to BSC.
  • Keeping an eye out for potential natural habitat sites (large tree stumps). Report positive results.
  • Participating in National Population Roost Monitoring: May 21, 25, 29 & June 2.
  • Monitoring roosts once per month.
  • Installing data loggers in occupied & suitable potential chimneys.
April 23 - May 5 Observe & report chimney swift (CHSW) sightings anywhere in Barrie
May 21, May 25, May 29 & June 2 National Population Monitoring Blitz Barrie has 6 Roosts.
May 28 Swift Night Out! (Scheduled BFNC Field Trip)
 
Every Tuesday Evening starting, June 3, Barrie SwiftWatchers plan to spot-check the 26 previously occupied nesting chimneys & monitor potential chimneys.

*These Presence/Absence Surveys are conducted during the various stages of the chimney swifts’ seasonal behaviour. Just before sunset, participants find and track nesting/roosting locations and count the numbers of chimney swifts flying into the chimneys to nest or roost for the night.