Reports
2012 Chimney Swift Project Report
Chimney swifts returned to Barrie on May 5, 2012, and, for the third consecutive year the Brereton Field Naturalists’ Club (BFNC) members partnered with Bird Studies Canada’s (BSC) Ontario SwiftWatch Project. BSC priority is locating new chimney swift roosting and nesting sites. There were 31 dedicated volunteers and these Barrie SwiftWatchers found 10 more chimneys (12 flues) where chimney swift activity was present this year. A total of 28 chimneys (30 flues) have been identified since we started monitoring. The “new” chimneys were in the Allandale area, as well as various locations on Dunlop, Bayfield, Wellington, Collier, Worsley and Mulcaster Streets.
BFNC carried out 3 counts at roosts known to us for each of the National Spring and Fall Migration Blitzes.
The Old City Jail has been listed as a nesting chimney for the past 3 years of monitoring, but around sunset on August 23rd 100 + chimney swifts circled above the jail and entered this chimney to roost for the night. This was definitely a highlight of our SwiftWatch season. Another fascinating event was the discovery of 40 - 50 chimney swifts feeding on flying insects over Bear Creek Wetlands from August 17 - 31, (with gradually decreasing numbers). Common Nighthawks were also actively feeding at the wetlands. The last chimney swift for this year was seen at Bear Creek Wetlands on August 31.
All the data for 2012 has been submitted to BSC, a spread sheet has been prepared for our files and the “new” active chimneys have been photographed for our records.
Submitted by Phyllis Tremblay
