The Swifts are Migrating!

Chimney Swifts in Wisconsin will be migrating soon (from mid-April through May), creating quite a phenomenon at dusk at some roost chimneys (videos). We would encourage everyone to get out to witness one of these events, and help Chimney Swifts by doing a count and recording your findings in eBird.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED, as Chimney Swifts and their roost chimneys are both in decline, and we still don’t know which chimneys are being used by swifts. If you can count, you can help!

Count on Your Own

Swifts can be found in almost every small to large community.

• Look for tall brick chimneys that are uncapped.
• Watch to see where swifts are feeding and congregating.
• Pick a night to monitor.
• Observe the roost starting about 20 minutes before sunset until 10 minutes after the last swift enters the chimney.
• Count (or estimate) the number of swifts as they enter the chimney. It’s useful to count in groups of five or 10 when they enter quickly in large numbers.
• Enter your data on eBird if possible and add #swiftwi in the species comment section.

Once you locate a good roost, invite your friends and neighbors to join you in watching this incredible event! More information can be found at https://www.wiswifts.org/report-chimney-swift-sightings/

Attend or Conduct a Swift Night Out

Attend an event – or start one of your own! Swift Night Out is part of a continent-wide program held to raise awareness about this declining bird species.

These are typically held in the fall (mid-August through September), but could be held in spring as well (May into June). None are scheduled yet – maybe yours will be the first.

Swift Night Out can be as simple (or as robust) as you wish. See why and how at https://www.wiswifts.org/swift-night-out/ Be sure to click the link for an easy, how-to guide.

Please email us at helpchimneyswifts@gmail.com to let us know about your event or others you might hear about.

Thank you for caring about swifts!