[ValleyNature] Falmouth swifts

[James W. Wolford]

Thanks, John!  The house is owned by Cheryl Rutledge, I believe, and  
I will call her about John's observations.  Cheers and thanks from  
Jim in Wolfville and others interested in swifts.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: john belbin <jbelbin at ns.sympatico.ca>
> Date: May 22, 2010 10:18:51 PM ADT
> To: NatureNS <naturens at chebucto.ns.ca>
> Subject: [NatureNS] Falmouth swifts
> Reply-To: naturens at chebucto.ns.ca
>
> This was the first evening I have had an opportunity to check out  
> the old farmhouse at Sangster Bridge, Upper Falmouth. It has been  
> hosting chimney swifts for many years.
>
> When I first arrived I was a little worried, the very large chimney  
> now sports evidence of 2 chimney liner/inserts that were not there  
> last year. However, at 8.35 8 swifts were circling high over head  
> and showing lots of interest. I know the chimney has multiple flues  
> and the owner is very interested in the birds, so I assume she has  
> left their private roost intact.
>
> Conditions were very high overcast cloud, 15 C and wind of 10 km SW
> The resident SORA was calling loudly from the nearby pond and got  
> louder as the evening progressed.  Breeding Grackles and Red Winged  
> Blackbirds - lots of frogs - a couple of small ducks seen only in  
> silhouette and calling Canada Geese from the fields nearby. Several  
> Humming Birds zooming about.
>  Tree Swallows present also.
>
> At 8:50 the time I expected action to begin 15 Swifts were still  
> circling high overhead. Local pheasants were calling loudly.
> A single swift entered the chimney at 8:52 and another at 9:00 pm.  
> The cloud of swifts was growing rapidly.
> 9:04 the entry began in small groups and was almost continuous  
> until 9:15 by which time a total of 108 birds had dropped into this  
> domestic chimney.
>
> By the time I left the frogs were truly deafening - there must be  
> quite a population in that small pond. The geese flew over as I left.
> John Belbin, Hantsport

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