The chimney swift is an endangered bird species which migrates to Manitoba, and parts of the Southeast, from May to August, before returning to South America.
Local resident David Dawson has volunteered as a spotter with the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative Monitoring Program for the past five to six years. Dawson says the reason the chimney swift decides to roost inside a chimney is likely because their small bodies, large wingspans, and toe positioning make it impossible for them to land on the ground or perch on a tree branch.
"They're quite wide-spread across the world, but their numbers are declining very, very fast. They nest in chimneys, particularly in Canada. We have a habit of capping over chimneys, putting stainless steel liners in, or knocking the chimney down, so the poor birds have nowhere to nest."
Dawson says they build their nests along the inside wall of a chimney using small twigs and their saliva.
"They fly around and grab little twigs off trees and then fly into the chimney and they stick it onto the wall of the chimney with saliva, they have very sticky saliva especially for this. When they got a little half cup, then they lay three or four eggs and sit and incubate."
He notes one of the problems with this nest construction is, during a heavy rainstorm, the nest may give way and the eggs or baby chicks can be washed out. He adds another concern is if the chimney is cleaned during the period of time when they're roosting. Dawson says, the best course of action, if there is a chimney swift roosting in a chimney, is to clean the chimney in early spring or in the fall after they've migrated back to South America.
Dawson says there are groups looking into building artificial chimneys for the birds to roost, as has been done for other cavity-nesting birds. However, he adds, there has only been one successful attempt due to the bird's particular acceptance of roosting places.
"We have a responsibility as humans to look after the wildlife. The world is not just for us humans, it's just as important for the animals. What we're doing by knocking down the chimneys, putting these stainless steel liners in, or spraying all the insects (which the birds use for food), we're starving them, we're depriving them of anywhere to nest."
He notes one goal of the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative is to ultimately increase the number of this declining species. Dawson adds they are looking for more volunteers to take time in the late spring to spot the activity of the birds in specific locations, those interested may contact Tim Poole, the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative Coordinator (mbchimneyswift@gmail.com)
Wed, Apr 24, 2:30 PM
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