Hi Folks:
It's Sat, Sept 6. Here's a reminder that the "Swift Night Out" is this weekend.

If you don't count swifts at a chimney or hollow tree near you this weekend, the Driftwood Wildlife Assn will continue to post results from across the nation in the days following. Swifts are migrating now, and roost in old (or sometimes new) chimneys in evenings just before sunset. Some areas get hundreds or even thousands of birds swirling around the chimneys before they fly down inside them. It's quite the sight. I believe the Chapman School in Portland posted the most birds at a western U.S. sight last year. An incredible number of 5,500 birds on one night. It was exceeded by a count in Staunton, VA w/ a count of 6,000 birds. Some home chimneys might only get two birds or so.

A friend and I counted 435 birds last year in downtown Enumclaw at the brick chimney of the Chalet Theater. Unfortunately, none of those birds have been seen roosting in that chimney as of the evening of Sept 4. But I still have hope, with the weather turning. Maybe the north winds and dry weather of the past weeks have encouraged the birds to move on. A little rain and some south winds might help us see more birds around here.

For more info about the Third Annual Swift Night Out, info about swifts and past counts, and how to register your count, see the message below.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines, WA
linusq at att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul D. Kyle
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 5:43 PM
Subject: 2003 Swift Night Out


Dear Associate,

The Chimney Swift nesting season is drawing to a close, and the roosting flocks have begun to congregate. Once again this year we are going to try to raise awareness of Chimney Swifts and Vaux's Swifts by holding our third annual Swift Night Out.

In 2003, we will have two Swifts Nights Out to accommodate our more northern contributors. The first event will be on August 15, 16 and 17 .. This is a little early for many USA roosts, but it can be a great scouting event in preparation of the final event in September. The main event will be held the weekend after Labor Day: September 5, 6 and 7.

We propose that over the next couple of weeks you locate a Chimney Swift or Vaux's Swift roost in your area. A roost is a location where swifts gather at dusk to spend the night. Then on one night over the weekend of Sept 5, 6, and 7, you observe the roost at dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter. When you have your number, contact us with your results. We will set up a page on our web site to compile the results as they come in. You may send in your results by email, fax, phone or regular mail - we will continue to update the results through mid-September. Here are the contact numbers:

Email: dwa at austin.rr.com

Fax or phone: (512) 266-3861
U.S. Mail: Driftwood Wildlife Association
1206 West 38th, Suite 1105
Austin, Texas 78705

Along with the number of swifts counted, please include your city and state or province and the date that you observed the roost. If you provide the exact location of the roost that you monitor, we will also include that information in the results.

If you are a member of a local bird club, outdoor group, Audubon chapter or any other organization that might be interested in participating, please ask them to pass this information along to their membership. For more information and to see the results from previous years, go to:

http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa/index.html

Thank you for your support of Chimney Swift conservation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Best Regards,

Paul and Georgean

--
Paul and Georgean Z. Kyle
Driftwood Wildlife Association
North American Chimney Swift Nest Site Research Project
1206 West 38th Street, Suite 1105
Austin, Texas 78705
phone / fax: (512) 266-3861
Visit our web page at:
<http://www.concentric.net/~Dwa>