Help count one of Wisconsin's most unique birds
This unique species helps keep Wisconsin's flying insect populations in check, but is declining in number
That “smoke” you see pouring into brick chimneys on your block these evenings isn’t an optical illusion but likely hundreds of native chimney swifts roosting for the night and gathering strength and numbers before they migrate south, all the way to the Amazon.
Wisconsin bird experts are asking homeowners, bird watchers and others to help count the birds and report where they see them to provide vital information on a declining, unique species.
“Chimney swifts are an important species in Wisconsin because they help keep flying insect populations in check,” says Kim Grveles, a Department of Natural Resources avian ecologist. “We need citizens’ help in counting and reporting the birds that roost near where they live and work, so we can better understand and take steps to hopefully reverse the decline of chimney swifts.”
DNR is part of the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group, which formed in 2012 to help reverse declining populations of the bird.
“You don’t have to be an experienced bird watcher or trained researcher to enjoy the evening acrobatic displays of the swift,” says Nancy Nabak, co-chair of Green Bay's Swift Night Out program and member of the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group. “The sight of dozens or hundreds or, in some cases, thousands of chimney swifts going to roost for the night in chimneys can be an exhilarating spectacle.”
Photo by Jim McCulloch
3 easy steps to survey chimney swifts and report your results
1. 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.
2. On that night(s), 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. Count in groups of five or 10 birds at a time when many birds pour into the chimney.
3. Send in your data in one of two quick and easy ways.
- Enter the data on eBird. Go to the ebird-quick-start-guide. When prompted for location, map your roost site to an exact address or point. Include, in the “Chimney Swift” comments section, general weather conditions, time when the first and last swifts entered the roost and type of building -- residence, school, church, business, etc.
- Or, send the same information along with your name, address, email address, date and exact time of your survey at the roost to Sandy Schwab, 105 S. Marietta St., Verona, WI 53593 or sschwab49@gmail.com
Questions? Contact Kim Grveles, Wisconsin DNR, 608-264-8594 or Sandy Schwab, Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group, 608-658-4139