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A SWIFT NIGHT OUT 2012 A Continent-wide Chimney Swift Roost Monitoring Project ___________________________________________
INDIVIDUAL REPORTS |
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Anniston, AL
Date: 7 SEPTEMBER 2012 Site: BLDG 2098 (abandoned warehouse) on McClellan Chimney is 3’ by 3’ and 30’ tall Time: Chimney Swifts began entering chimney at 07:21 pm and all were in by 07:28 pm. TOTAL: 150 NEW DAY ENTRY: Date: 8 SEPTEMBER 2012 SITE: BLDG 2098 (abandoned warehouse) on McClellan Chimney is 3’ by 3’ and 30’ tall Time: Chimney Swifts began entering chimney at 07:02 pm and were all in by 07:18 pm. TOTAL: 328 WEATHER NOTE: COLD FRONT passed through the area today Lowering temperature and humidity.
Reported by Laura Meeds and Karen Allen.
Garland, TX
September 8, 2012 7 Swifts observed coming into my residential chimney between 7:30 pm and 8:20 pm CDT. Weather: clear, 78*F, 33% humidity, wind calm from N. 5 more Swifts were observed that roost in our neighborhood, but I never see any other reports from here, so letting you know there are more than my 7. I know I saw a total of 14-15 Swifts in the air, but only 7 came into my chimney.
Sandra Gail Dyess,
Saint Joseph, MO
This evening from 7:45 until 8:10 EST I counted 920 Chimney Swifts enter the large chimney on the United Methodist Church, 28th & Renick, Saint Joseph, Missouri (Buchanan County).
My husband and I counted swifts at the ACC Rio Grande Campus this
Number of Chimney Swifts: 625 Austin, TX
We were at Becker ES last night and had 825 birds. It was very challenging since the birds waited until it was nearly dark and then went in many at a time. As I tell my beginning birding students, birding isn't for wimps! ( : Thanks again for participating in Swift Night Out! Shelia Tonight, 9/8/12, there were four of us counting Chimney Swifts at O. Henry Middle School – Martha Renfroe, Alyssa Aston, Margaret Earnest (friend of Alyssa), and me. There were a lot more swifts than were around for Judie’s group last night. Alyssa and Margaret counted from the south side parking lot near the building, where I thought the light seemed a bit unfavorable. Margaret is new to birding and didn’t want to report her numbers. Alyssa felt there were at least 500, but it was her first time ever to count swifts and she was concerned she might not have counted well enough. Martha counted 750, but felt she missed quite a few, since her arms got tired and she had to lower her binoculars a couple of times when the birds were really streaming into the chimney in large numbers as it was growing dark. I counted 985 and was concerned I might have undercounted near the end. I guess if you want to average Martha’s and mine, you could use the number 868. Do as you think best. This was the most challenging night that I’ve ever counted swifts, since so many entered the chimney after it was fairly dark. Martha and I arrived at the school at 7:35 and there were only a few swifts flying around and none were at all interested in entering the chimney for quite some time. In fact, it was 7:50 before any entered it, and at least five minutes later before a few more entered. After the entries became more regular, I couldn’t take my eyes off the chimney to check my watch, but I estimate that about ¾ of the swifts entered the chimney between 8:05 and 8:20. After 8:10 it really became difficult to see them, but we did the best we could. Judie, I agree that the view from the west side probably provided the best angle. Martha and I started to count from across Exposition, but we both decided very early that we needed to be nearer the chimney, since it was getting dark so quickly. We crossed Exposition back onto the school property and counted from the sidewalk, and gradually walked even closer to the chimney as it got darker. We didn’t use any insect repellant and didn’t detect any insects. The temperature was wonderfully cool and pleasant. I know you’ll enjoy it tomorrow night. Thanks for mentioning Maudie’s as a nearby eating establishment. I didn’t even know one was in that area. Martha and I ate there. Alyssa, thank you for joining us and please tell Margaret that we appreciate her assistance too. It was so good seeing you again. And Martha, of course it is always good birding with you and I’m glad you wanted to participate tonight. Shelia and Judie, good luck to you and your teams tomorrow night.
Becker Elementary Nancy
Laurie Foss, Karol and Jim DeVries and I were on site last night to watch the swifts at Becker Elementary School. Laurie and I were the only counters but everyone enjoyed the show! Number: 825 Date: 9/8/10 Time: The first group of swifts arrived at the location at 6:54p. (Or this was the first we saw after arriving around 6:50p.) The first swift entered the chimney at 8:04p. The majority were in the chimney by 8:14p. The final bird entered at 8:18p. Site description: school incinerator chimney Weather: very pleasant - light wind, partly cloudy, approx 83 degrees F
Shelia Hargis
When I was at O.Henry on Thurs night I did not count, but I could tell there were not as many birds.
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