Re: Roosting chimney swifts in Laurel!
Kathy Klimkiewicz (Kathy_Klimkiewicz@usgs.gov)
Mon, 21 Sep 1998 12:40:59 -0600
Good questions but not many answers. I have never investigated whether
the chimney is used. Guess that is a good project for me to do after I
get back from California. The birds will leave before it gets really
cold as they winter in South America. What is interesting is that this
chimney, until this year, was only used as a fall roost. This year it
has had birds all spring, summer, and fall. Yes, the birds roost
against the chimney wall and roost close together so a lot of birds
can roost in one chimney.
Watching the birds go to roost is great fun and I always enjoy it when
I can sit in my front yard and watch them.
Cheers,
Kathy
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Subject: Roosting chimney swifts in Laurel!
Author: mdosprey@ARI.Net at NBS-Internet-Gateway
Date: 9/20/98 9:17 PM
Hi all
Barbara Hopkins and I made a trip to Laurel on Sunday evening to see
the roosting chimney swifts that Kathy Klimkiewicz so nicely directed
us to. Kathy, your directions were great! We arrived at 7 p.m.
and saw or heard nothing. Then all of a sudden at 7:10 we heard
their chitter. Hundreds seemed to come out of nowhere. By 7:15 the
first swift entered the chimney. At 7:37 the last swift flew in.
It was quite a sight for both of us. If you have never seen it, it's
worth the trip! We both wondered who was the first swift in, how is
the "pecking order" determined, and is the chimney used in winter?
Also,
do swifts hang on the inside of the chimney walls? The birds circled
the chimney for minutes, swooping down close to the entrance but never
entering. Then all of a sudden, one entered and it was like a tornado
funnel cloud. Can anyone furnish me more info on my questions?
Thanks and good birding
Janelle Dietrich
Bowie, MD
lovewhales@ccconline.net