A seasonal reminder

If you're looking out your window or indulging in some outdoor activity, you nay need a reminder that June is almost here. The calendar indeed confirms that  it is the end of May and June will show be upon us...

We continue to receive reports of swift sightings from  "old faithful" sites in Saint Adolphe, Selkirk, Dauphin, La Broquerie, Portage, Brandon, Carman. and Winnipeg.

It's early in the season, but it seems that Winnipeg counts are down from last year-- perhaps the swifts aren't quite ready for the 'Peg.  On the other hand,the Dauphin roost site is very attractive with an amazing recent count of 87+ chimney swifts !

We also received a casual report of a pair of swifts in Neepawa.

The summary page for observations may be seen here (as a Google Doc). This page will be updated with maximum counts of swifts as I receive official monitoring reports from sites.


 HELP WANTED!
As the season progresses, we could use additional monitors for various sites. The need is especially great in the Winnipeg area. You don't need to make a long-term time commitment, but we certainly could use you! For more information about potential sites, please call 204-978-6275 or email mbchimneyswift@gmail.com

COME ON DOWN!
Don't forget our chimney-swift viewing on Monday, June 4 from 8 PM at the side of the St. Adolphe Parish Church at 392 Main Street in St. Adolphe. Bring a chair and your binos, and prepare to be amazed!  Find out why St. Adolphe is the Chimney Swift Capital of Manitoba (and maybe go home with a door prize)!.

Victoria Day Update

Queen Victoria was reputedly not referring to Chimney Swift monitoring when she famously noted, “A strange, horrible business, but I suppose good enough for Shakespeare's day.”


It looks like Saint Adolphe remains the Chimney Swift Capital of Manitoba with up to five chimneys active. For those who like sheer numbers, however, you just can't beat the Dauphin site with 31 swifts on Saturday night!

We have preliminary reports of sightings at known sites in Brandon, La Broquerie, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, and Winnipeg. If early monitoring results in Winnipeg are any indication, the swifts have not yet returned to some of their old haunts.

As the official reports come in, I'll be updating the numbers on the  summary spreadsheet. You can check the summary (as a Google document). If you want the current overall report in Excel format, please send me an email.

Now would be a good time to check "your" chimney so that we can verify occupancy of known sites. Don't forget to let us know what you see! Forms and resources are available at the website.

If you would like to volunteer to check a chimney site, please get in touch by phone (204-798-6275) or email

As always, I'd like to thank our many existing volunteers! 

Don't forget our chimney-gazing extravaganza on Monday, June 4 from 8 PM at the rear of the St. Adolphe Parish Church at 392 Main Street in St. Adolphe. Bring a chair and your binos, and prepare to be amazed! Door prizes are an added inducement (as if you needed more incentive)...

That Was The Week That Was

Thursday, May 10 was a big day for Chimney Swift watchers here in Manitoba! On that day initial sighting reports were received from Selkirk, Portage la Prairie, Saint Adolphe, and the University of Manitoba campus.

Some monitoring of sites was done earlier in the week, but Thursday was the first productive day.

Subsequent reports have observed Chimney Swifts in chimneys in Saint Boniface, Saint Adolphe, La Broquerie, and Dauphin. Hopefully, your reports from other locations will be pouring in soon!

A Tree Grows near La Broquerie
An enthusiastic volunteer has erected "an artificial tree" on his property in the La Broquerie area. The structure is constructed of wood, is twelve feet long, and is elevated about twelve feet above ground. The picture to the right shows the tower before its installation.

Time will tell if Chimney Swifts will use this unique structure.

Volunteers wanted!
I am looking for volunteers to monitor known chimney sites so that Jacquie and I can check out some "new" sites in the colourful core area of Winnipeg. Sites are available in various locations and the time commitment is flexible.

If you've always wanted a chimney to call your own, why not give me a call at 798-6275 or via email at mbchimneyswift@gmail.com.

Special Event--June 4
Don't forget our chimney-gazing event on Tuesday, June 4 at Saint Adolphe, the Chimney Swift Capital of Manitoba. Drop by after 8 PM and bring a chair and some binoculars, You can view five active chimneys and inspect one of our artificial chimneys.  There will be door prizes for visitors. Meet at the parking lot by the Catholic Church at 392 Main Street in Saint Adolphe.

They're here!

The Chimney Swift Initiative has received its first two reports of chimney swifts for 2012.

Six swifts were reported near the Selkirk Mental Health Centre at 8:25 this morning.

Four chimney swifts were seen over Saint Adolphe at 12:25.

Monitors have checked sites in Winnipeg, St, Adolphe, and Carman on previous nights, but no birds were seen before today.

Frank M.