Chimney swifts congregate in communal roosts before migrating in late summer/fall, and it’s relatively easy to count them. Here’s how to count:

• Look for tall brick chimneys that are uncapped. Watch to see where swifts are feeding and congregating. Pick one or more nights from early August in northern Wisconsin through mid- to late September in southern Wisconsin. Observe the roost starting about 30 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 birds at a time when many birds pour into the chimney in a short period of time.
  • Submit your data using our NEW   Survey123 Chimney Swift Roost and Nest Data site, which includes a user-friendly form. If you already use eBird, please continue using that, too, if you wish.
    • • • For Survey123, go directly to the website, or use the Chimney Swift Observation Form at the bottom on this page, then enter your data on the Survey123 website as soon as possible.
        • For eBird, map your roost site to an exact address or point, and, after you enter the number of Chimney Swifts, please use the hash tag #swiftwi in the Chimney Swift details section. This will help us greatly in accessing the data, if you don’t use Survey123.
          • • • • If you want to go above and beyond in eBird and be a ROCK STAR, please add additional information in the Chimney Swift details section, in this exact order, with semicolons separating the data: #swiftwi; the type of building (residence, school, church, business, hospital, apartment, swift tower/structure, etc.); the condition of the chimney (great, good; in need of repair, falling apart); any other notes. (Example: #swiftwi; residence; chimney in need of repair; any other notes).
                • In the comments, please also note the time the first swift entered the chimney and time the last swift entered.
                • Please also include any Common Nighthawks you see. These aerial insectivores are also in decline.
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          • • If you do not use Survey123 OR eBird, fill out the Chimney Swift Observation Form below, and mail or email to Fred Dike, 2613 Waltham Rd., Madison, WI 53711; freddmadison@aol.com.
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Click this link to download the Chimney Swift Observation Form. (opens in a new tab)