Hi Tweets,

Regarding Vaux's Swift in The Chimneys of Port Alberni (not a romantic
bestseller), Don Cecile says:
> The last three
> mornings, I have been waking to the sounds of chattering 'chimney' swifts,
> not being too coherent at 4am or so, I am never quite able to determine if
> there is a large number of them present, are they really in the chimney
> (it's still dark out!), the sounds are coming from that direction, and are
> they considering nesting?

Why not? They're communal nesters, aren't they? According to a nurse who
worked there, many pairs used to nest --may still do so-- in the large
smokestack on the grounds of Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam BC. And if so,
they may already be preparing to do so. Certainly, communal birds often yak
up a storm amomg themselves before heading out on the day's affairs.

So do Vaux's Swifts (VASW) dive in to their normal nighttime roost sites for
catnaps during the day? If there's a large flock in the area, but only two
keep busting in and out when the rest are out foraging, vocalising like mad
as they enter, does that suggest nesting or daytime roost?

Or is something more tawdry at work here? Heavens above, if a swift isn't up
to a quickie, who is? <lurid grin>

M