Hi there,

I have ben reading your reports with interest, and it brings up a question which I hope that someone on here might be able to answer. Over 30 years ago when I lived in Arlington, Washington, my grandpa took me down to the Methodist church one evening to watch the swifts (he said they were Chimney Swifts, but obviously they were Vaux's) enter the chimney. It was spectacular, and must have involved hundreds of individuals. Does anyone know if swifts still roost in this spot? I asked my brother, who still lives in Arlington, and although he said the church is still there, he had never heard of birds entering the chimney.
just curious,

Guy L. Monty
Parksville, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Hicks
To: , tweeters
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 12:57 PM
Subject: update on Tenino swifts, 8/30


Tweets,

Monday evening, August 30, 8:08 to 8:23pm, the chimney roost site in Tenino drew approx. 70 Vaux's Swifts and three enthralled observers. Numbers were about the same as Sunday, and half that reported by Bob Sundstrom for Saturday evening. Most the birds streamed in as a single group into the chimney during a brief window of time after 8:10, with the exception of two earlybirds and a single (obviously adolescent) nightowl that turned in around 6 minutes after the others were tucked in for the night. Their descent was 7-8 minutes later than 8/27, presumedly due to clear skies and/or warmer weather (and more insects???). Location: 125 Sussex E.: Joe's Car & Truck Sales/Brazil Stove sales, corner of Hodgden & Sussex (= the "main drag" = Old Hwy 99/SR 507), across the street from City Hall & Fire Dept., kitty korner to the post office (a good place to park and view).

Good birding!

Paul Hicks
Tenino, WA
phicks AT accessgrace.org