Introduction
For 44 evenings between 8 August and 10 October, I counted Chimney Swifts as they dropped into chimneys seeking a safe shelter for the night. Physically, swifts cannot perch in a horizontal position, so they must seek a vertical surface inside a hollow tree or chimney. If a swift cannot find a chamber to roost in, it must perch on the bark of a tree trunk where it is vulnerable to hungry owls. During their fall migration, swifts are on their way to the northwest corner of South America where our species occupies Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, and a sliver of Brazil.
Preparation
As I have done since my first swift watch in 2003, I first downloaded a chart from the Astronomical Applications Department, U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. that lists the times for sunrise and sunset for 2012. Before printing the chart, I was asked to list my zip code so the final values are specific for Delaware, Ohio and the information is more accurate than what can be found on a newspaper’s daily weather page. After adding one hour to compensate for daylight-saving time, I was ready to record accurate observations in military time.
The Counts
Flocks of Chimney Swifts start their annual journey during the last week of July, and during the last ten years, I have counted the last swifts in Delaware between October 9 and 18. I list my observations below showing the times for the first and last swifts entering their roost for each night.
Galena Municipal Building, formerly the Galena United Methodist Church, n = 8
August 8, 1094 swifts, 20:17 – 21:03 (8:17 and 9:03 P.M.)
August 10, 1890 swifts, 20:25 – 20:56
August 23, 1150 swifts, 20:20 – 20:40
August 25, Galena Summerfest, I did not count since I was interpreting the event for more than 100 observers from the festival. Hundreds, and possibly thousands, of swifts put on a good show for excited swift watchers.
August 29, 1480 swifts, 20:10 – 20:36
September 5, 1180 swifts, 19:52 – 20:17
September 8, 850 swifts, 19:53 – 20:23
September 15, 58 swifts, 19:49 – 20:07
Zion United Church of Christ, 51 West Central Ave., n = 4
August 9, 20 swifts, 20:32 – 20:55
August 22, 450 swifts, 20:25 – 20:47
August 30, 325 swifts, 20:20 – 20:34
September 18, between 19:53 and 19:59, eight swifts entered the chimney, and then they immediately flew out. Apparently, the church’s furnace is still connected to this chimney.
Carlisle Elementary School, 746 West Central Ave., n = 2
August 11, seven swifts, 20:34
August 19, three in, then out, 20:38.
Last year, the Carlisle chimney hosted 790 swifts on August 19, and remained active until September 30 when I observed “some kind of exhaust” or vapor coming from the chimney. I suspect that an effort is being made to discourage birds from roosting there.
Edwards Gymnasium, OWU, two Chimneys on east face, n = 1
August 12, ZERO.
Gray Chapel, OWU, West chimney on north face, n = 4
August 13, 185 swifts, 20:29 – 20:54
August 18, 70 swifts, 20:36 – 20:48
August 27, 105 swifts, 20:28 – 20:42
September 12, 58 swifts, 19:56 – 20:12
Gray Chapel at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Delaware County Bank, Downtown Delaware, n = 4
August 14, one swift, 20:30
August 21, one swift, 20:04
August 28, one swift, 20:26
September 6, two swifts, 20:14 – 20:16
I might have made a mistake by not watching this chimney after September 18 when birds refused to stay in the chimney at the Zion United Church of Christ. When furnaces kick-in for the first time each fall, incoming swifts seek other roosts. Next year, I will make an effort to watch the bank chimney at a later date.
Sells Middle School, Dublin, n = 1
September 3, 24 swifts, 20:02 – 20:20
Indian Springs Elementary School, Clintonville, n = 1
September 7, >1500 swifts counted by others. I was one of several Columbus Audubon members that interpreted for a scheduled program for more than 70 observers of all ages.
Edwards Gymnasium, OWU, Southwest Chimney, n = 19.
Toward the end of each season, I pick a chimney that is unused as a chimney and remains stable for the swifts, and I make an effort to count nightly until the local migration comes to a halt. To observe the gym’s southwest chimney, I sat in my car in the Hardware Exchange’s lot next to OWU vans parked in the university’s lot. There, I could easily see all three of the gym’s chimneys while my car provided shelter from drizzle, rain, wind, etc. As far as I know, my strange behavior drew no attention.
September 11, 233 swifts, 19:54 – 20:08
September 14, 139 swifts, 19:49 – 20:04
September 20, 260 swifts, 19:33 – 19:49
September 21, 460 swifts, 19:27 – 19:47
September 22, 375 swifts, 19:38 – 19:50
September 23, 382 swifts, 19:40 – 19:52
September 26, 340 swifts, 19:19 – 19:42
September 27, 510 swifts, 19:24 – 19:38
September 28, 360 swifts, 19:28 – 19:42
September 29, 105 swifts, 19:33 – 19:44
September 30, 5 swifts, 19:24 – 19:35
October 2, 43 swifts, 19:23 – 19:26
October 3, 93 swifts, 19:24 – 19:33
October 4, 75 swifts, 19:26 – 19:36
October 5, 88 swifts, 18:43 – 19:23
October 6, 15 swifts, 19:16 – 19:31
October 7, Three swifts circled, but none entered.
October 9, one swift entered at 19:19
October 10, zero swifts
Each year, there is a surge of swifts before the end of September where the numbers peak (September 27 this year) and decline to near zero (September 30), then build to a smaller peak during the first days of October (October 3). Also, at the very end of each season, one or two swifts arrive at different times to enter their chimneys like bullets, without circling. A swift watcher must stare at the chimney like a zombie so the season’s final count will not be missed.
The view of the Edwards Gymnasium southwest chimney at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Some Conclusions
I know that I am obsessed with counting swifts, a possible withdrawal symptom after my bluebirding season ends each year. I am addicted to recording data, and enjoy what the birds reveal to me. However, I am always disturbed when active chimneys become inactive. I always wonder if my making folks aware of what is going on above them has anything to do with the demise of good roosting sites for our northern visitors. I have learned that most people never look up to see swifts, but once they become aware and learn that the roosting birds poop in their chimneys, then there is a chance that the chimney will be capped or made repellant to our vulnerable visitors. Also, I know of no local student field trips used to relate the migration phenomena to natural science, geography, or social studies. Of course, today’s school activities must align with what the “testing industry” has deemed to be relevant to their objectives.
Emerging Hope
Within the Ohio Wesleyan community, one student, a professor, and one donor are on course to the ultimate goal of constructing one or more swift towers on campus. The project is in its earliest stages and as the project gains momentum, more students, professors, administrators, and some maintenance teams will lead to a conclusion – I hope one that results in sprouting swift towers that welcome nesting and migrating swifts to Delaware.
More later – hopefully. Swift on!