Off Topic - Swift sighting report page

[briansupernaw]

Hello,

If you are interested in reporting Chimney Swift sightings follow the link provided. They also post a migration map like the PMCA.

http://www.chimneyswifts.org/

[Al Denton]

Thanks Brian, I've already made a report. I love chimney swallows almost as much as do the martins. Enjoy going to large chimney roosts here the early fall. Al

[Guest]

I have a question for you! I noticed last night and again this morning fast flying birds, smaller than Martins with scissor like tails, buzzing my colony. Several male Martins would take off chasing them as they came close to the colony. Are these some type of Swallow or Chimney Swift or what? Curious as I've never noticed this before.

Bud
North Plano, Texas

[Glen Webb Jr]

wow, saw my first swift this morning and found this link this morning too! Thanks for the heads up. Love swifts and have had plans to build a tower for several years now. There is an old house just down the road from me that has an old chimney and several swifts nest in it every year.

[briansupernaw]

Al and Glen, you're welcome.

Bud, I have never seen a chimney swift bother or tangle with any other bird. Some people describe the swift bodies like stubby or cigar shaped. The swifts do not have a very noticeable fork in their tale when flying. I will ocassionally see swifts fly very close to other swifts like they are almost touching.

The scissor like tail you describe might be a Barn Swallow. Barn Swallows tend to spend more time flying near the ground, and they are also extremely agile and quick like a martin.

Brian

[Matt F.]

Great post Brian!
Not sure if it's the same further north, but here in the southeast Texas area, the swifts usually arrive around the same time as the SY martins. A good thing to monitor for both swift and martin fans!

One thing I've thought about, in reference to the chimney swifts, is the effect that the now commonly seen chimney "guards" have had on the swift numbers, if any.
It seems like these days, you hardly see a chimney without one!

[Al Denton]

You're right Matt....when I see swifts it's time for subs. I've seen swifts and subs flying together around my setup before. The swifts will also fly right over my speakers when playing daytime chatter. My chimney is always open for them.

[briansupernaw]

Matt and Al,

I never made the connection last night, but I also had the first 2 SY females show up last night, which was when I saw the Swifts for the first time this year. Now thats very interesting.

Also, for the last 2 years, the SY females beat the SY males. Last year the SY females beat the SY males by at least 10 days. Brian

[Al Denton]

Brian, It took me a few years to make that connection, but it always happens that way. Now, my ASY male can go and get some SY's over here.

[Al Denton]

There are now 3 chimney swifts in the neighborhood. My ASY male is still here and I just watched him flying around with the swifts. Doesn't seem to bother him that he's by himself. How does that saying go? "When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do"

[Guest]

I'm wondering where the Swifts that are usually in my neighborhood are this year. They are usually here a week to ten days before the Martins but the Martins have been here for three weeks already. No sign of the Swifts. Dennis