Friday July 25, 2014 6:45pm - 9:30pm (2 Hours 45 Minutes)
Lecture / Seminar
jameslchurchill@gmail.com
902-681-2374
Event in Room: BAC 132
A Swift Spectacle in Wolfville
The Chimney Swift can be identified by its bow-and-arrow silhouette, blunt tail, and unique “chittering” call. Richard Stern photo.
Every year, Chimney Swifts return from South America to special “roost” chimneys across the province, including the free standing chimney at Robie Tufts Nature Center on Front Street in Wolfville. These roost chimneys are like community centers where, each spring, Chimney Swifts gather by the hundreds at dusk, taking shelter inside each night. By late June, swift pairs spread out to find individual nest chimneys to breed. The birds return to their roost chimney in late July with their young in tow, and are gone from our province by late August.
Now provincially Endangered, Chimney Swifts were once common in the Maritimes. However, the Canadian population has declined by 95% in the past four decades, for reasons not fully understood. Habitat loss (traditional brick and stone chimneys as well as large, hollow trees), declines of flying insects (the species’ food source) and climate change are all thought to be contributing factors, as is disturbance at nest sites (for example, chimney sweeping during the birds’ breeding period). Led by Bird Studies Canada, Maritimes SwiftWatch is a citizen-scientist monitoring and conservation program that brings together volunteers and community groups to act as stewards for Chimney Swifts and their habitat.
Maritimes SwiftWatch, and the Blomidon Naturalist Society want to showcase this threatened and charismatic species to raise awareness about the threats to Chimney Swifts and conservation work happening in the Maritimes. They will be hosting a Swift Night Out(rain date 26th). You can learn about the natural history of Chimney Swifts and the history of swifts in Wolfville. Following presentations, you are invited to visit local roost chimney in the Robie Tufts Nature Center on Front Street at sunset to watch the amazing spectacle of Wolfville’s Chimney Swifts returning to their roost in a swirling, tumbling mass. This is a family friendly event and we will have an activity page for kids!
For further information contact:
James Churchill
Blomidon Naturalists Society
Tel. 902-681-2374
jameslchurchill@gmail.com
http://www.blomidonnaturalists.ca/node/404
Holly Lightfoot
Bird Studies Canada
Tel. 506-364-5185
marswifts@birdscanada.org
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/acswifts
www.facebook.com/Maritimes.Swifts
www.twitter.com/Mar_Swifts
• Photos are available upon request
Please note the whole event may shift to July 26th depending on the weather (e.g. heavy rain) on the 25th. A decision will be made on morning of the 25th.
• Maritimes SwiftWatch is led by Bird Studies Canada, in partnership with the Blomidon Naturalist Society, Environment Canada, Kespukwitk’s SAR Program Kennebecasis Naturalist Society, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, NatureNB, Nova Scotia Bird Society, and the Pictou County Naturalists Club
• Maritimes SwiftWatch is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of the Environment, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Federation, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Nova Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund, TD Friends of the Environment, and Walmart Evergreen.
jameslchurchill@gmail.com
902-681-2374
Event in Room: BAC 132
A Swift Spectacle in Wolfville
The Chimney Swift can be identified by its bow-and-arrow silhouette, blunt tail, and unique “chittering” call. Richard Stern photo.
Every year, Chimney Swifts return from South America to special “roost” chimneys across the province, including the free standing chimney at Robie Tufts Nature Center on Front Street in Wolfville. These roost chimneys are like community centers where, each spring, Chimney Swifts gather by the hundreds at dusk, taking shelter inside each night. By late June, swift pairs spread out to find individual nest chimneys to breed. The birds return to their roost chimney in late July with their young in tow, and are gone from our province by late August.
Now provincially Endangered, Chimney Swifts were once common in the Maritimes. However, the Canadian population has declined by 95% in the past four decades, for reasons not fully understood. Habitat loss (traditional brick and stone chimneys as well as large, hollow trees), declines of flying insects (the species’ food source) and climate change are all thought to be contributing factors, as is disturbance at nest sites (for example, chimney sweeping during the birds’ breeding period). Led by Bird Studies Canada, Maritimes SwiftWatch is a citizen-scientist monitoring and conservation program that brings together volunteers and community groups to act as stewards for Chimney Swifts and their habitat.
Maritimes SwiftWatch, and the Blomidon Naturalist Society want to showcase this threatened and charismatic species to raise awareness about the threats to Chimney Swifts and conservation work happening in the Maritimes. They will be hosting a Swift Night Out(rain date 26th). You can learn about the natural history of Chimney Swifts and the history of swifts in Wolfville. Following presentations, you are invited to visit local roost chimney in the Robie Tufts Nature Center on Front Street at sunset to watch the amazing spectacle of Wolfville’s Chimney Swifts returning to their roost in a swirling, tumbling mass. This is a family friendly event and we will have an activity page for kids!
For further information contact:
James Churchill
Blomidon Naturalists Society
Tel. 902-681-2374
jameslchurchill@gmail.com
http://www.blomidonnaturalists.ca/node/404
Holly Lightfoot
Bird Studies Canada
Tel. 506-364-5185
marswifts@birdscanada.org
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/acswifts
www.facebook.com/Maritimes.Swifts
www.twitter.com/Mar_Swifts
• Photos are available upon request
Please note the whole event may shift to July 26th depending on the weather (e.g. heavy rain) on the 25th. A decision will be made on morning of the 25th.
• Maritimes SwiftWatch is led by Bird Studies Canada, in partnership with the Blomidon Naturalist Society, Environment Canada, Kespukwitk’s SAR Program Kennebecasis Naturalist Society, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, NatureNB, Nova Scotia Bird Society, and the Pictou County Naturalists Club
• Maritimes SwiftWatch is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of the Environment, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Federation, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Nova Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund, TD Friends of the Environment, and Walmart Evergreen.
Pricing & Tickets
Pricing: Free
Beveridge Arts Centre
