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Subject:

Chimney Swifts in Silver Spring MD

From:

George Lane

Reply-To:

George Lane

Date:

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:50:32 -0400

Greetings,

I am new to this list and hope I am not repeating what someone else has
already sent.  I have been watching chimney swifts in the Silver Spring area
for 23 years... usually in pairs or maybe up to 20.  They can often be seen
dropping into or popping put of the unused brick chimney at the East Silver
Spring Elementary School (631 Silver Spring Ave. zip 20910) from late May to
mid-August.  

This year was very different during the Fall Migration. My count of swifts
was made at about 7 AM in each case as the swifts exited the chimney.

August 13       4 
August 14       6
Sept.   22      19
Sept.   23      11
[Sept.  24      40 - 50 bird in a flock around 2 PM near the school]
Sept.   25      24
Oct.      6     156
Oct.      7     247
Oct.      8     112  (very foggy - poor visibility)
Oct.      9     288
Oct.     10    284
Oct.     11    330  [very warm at 7 AM]
Oct.     12     21   [55 deg F and windy] all exiting birds flew south
Oct.     13      0    48 deg.

I am wondering if anyone else saw swifts this late in the year in this area?

George Lane
Silver Spring MD