Ritchot Chimney Swift Initiative

By Angelique Forest

Ritchot Rec sharing the publication of a paper covering the effects of construction on Chimney Swift populations co-authored by local Chimney Swift conservation volunteer Barb Stewart.

Stewart has been observing and recording the habits of local specialty birds for years, and the recent construction of the St. Adolphe Daycare and RM Office expansion project in and around their nesting site has provided unique data.

According to the municipality, “this unique project shows the importance of co-existing with our feathered friends, and how we and nature can adapt together to preserve critical environments needed for the continuation of endangered species.”

The Chimney Swift, a small brown, sooty-coloured bird living in your neighbourhood chimneys, can induce a great passion in people and communities.

According to the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative (MCSI), the Chimney Swift populations have declined by a large amount in Canada since the 1960’s, and they are now listed under both the Manitoban and Federal Government Species at Risk Acts.

Chimney Swifts feed exclusively on insects caught while in flight. Manitoba swifts arrive in mid-May. Using their own sticky saliva and twigs, adults construct a cup-shaped nest well down inside pre1960’s era brick chimneys. The female then lays from 2 to 7 eggs which hatch in 18-21 days. The young fledge when they are 30 days old. Departing by late August, they migrate to countries such as Peru in South America. They are the only species of swift that breed in eastern North America as far west as Manitoba.

According to the Wildlife Haven, when you find a nest of birds inside your chimney, it is important that you try to contact them as soon as you can.

“If you know them to be Chimney Swifts, you can even contact the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative directly,” they noted. “Getting them back in the nest and with mom and dad is the best solution and ensures the best survival in this species at risk. Timing is always crucial; please contact experts as soon as possible for any injured or possibly orphaned wildlife that you may find.”

Many groups have erected artificial chimney structures as a focus for public awareness about chimney swifts and as potential habitat for swifts.

Based on the success of artificial towers in other locations, notably the southern United States, the MCSI set out to develop a tower design more appropriate to a northern climate.

In 2008, the MCSI erected towers in Starbuck, St. Adolphe, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg. More recently, towers were established at the Carman Elementary School and at the Old Grace Housing Cooperative and Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.