MERRYMEETING AUDUBON
Special Events

A SWIFT NIGHT OUT

Chimney Swift Migration Observations at the Former Brunswick High School

Last Two Weeks of May

Although some Chimney Swifts arrive in Brunswick to breed, most of them pass through the area in May on their way to breeding grounds farther north. Their passage brings large numbers to roosting spots along the way. One such roost is the chimney of the High School building on McKeen Street. In the past, very large numbers have been observed there sometime during the period of May 10th to the first week in June. Dusk is when the greatest concentrations of Swifts are seen.

For more information contact Ted Allen at 729-8661.

Video of the Brunswick Swifts can be found at Swift Video.

2008 SWIFT NUMBERS

June 15: 50

June 13: 70

June 11: 65

June 9: 75

June 7: 105

June 6: 3

June 5: 140

May 29: 120

May 27: 165

May 26: 180

May 25: 200

May 24: 200+

MAY 22: We counted 207 swifts at the roost last night. They came in as smaller groups and were done by 8:20. From Doug Suitor.

May 21: 247 Chimney Swifts seen entering the chimney between 7:50 and 8:20 pm.

May 20: 142+ Chimney Swifts were seen entering the chimney.

May 17: 34 swifts counted entering the chimney. Some minutes later, we saw three more flying about the sky. The swifts held off diving into the chimney until one or two minutes before official sunset. Then, within a time span of say, 7 minutes, they all entered.

May 5: 5 Swifts entered the Brunswick Chimney

May 8: 30 entered

May 15: 47 entered

April 18: Chimney Swifts have begun their return, with the first reported sighting in Warren.

SWIFT PHOTOS AND PROJECTS

	Chimney Swift in Flight The Chimney Swift is a small bird only 5-6 inches in length with a wing span of 11-12 inches.  They weight about an ounce or slightly less. Wintering in the Amazon Basin of South America, Chimney swifts return to breeding sites in the US and southern Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. For more information about Chimney Swifts, to to All About Birds.
	Migration Roosts Large numbers of swifts roost together in a single large chimney or air shaft during migration and in the non-breeding season. This roost is in the Chaetura Canyon in Texas. The advent of modern chimneys with smooth interiors have reduced the number of available roosting sites.
	Swift Smoke When swifts approach a roosting site, they first swirl in the air and then descend in what had been described as "reverse smoke."
	Nesting Towers Maine Audubon recently added a Chimney Swift Nesting Tower at Gilsland Farm. Built and donated by Andre Bellucci, the tower was shingled and installed by Maine Audubon staff and volunteers in April. Photo left. Before European colonization, Chimney Swifts likely nested in hollow trees and caves.  With deforestation and settlement, swifts adapted to nesting in brick chimneys. Modern chimney construction results in smooth interiors which are not useable by swifts as nest sites and may have contributed to this species' rapid decline. Projects such as Maine Audubon's seek to restore some of that nesting habitat.