Subject: [Tweeters] Save Our Swifts (SOS)
Date: Oct 17 10:05:36 2007
From: hughbirder at earthlink.net - hughbirder at earthlink.net


On the evening of Sept. 8 a large number of people were at the Frank Wagner
Elementary School in Monroe to view the Vaux's Swifts coming into roost in
the chimney. While we were there we were made aware of the probability of
the chimney being removed because an earthquake might cause the chimney to
collapse and injure some students. As a result a number of members of the
Seattle, Pilchuck and East Lake WA Audubon chapters agreed to meet to
discuss the issue. Paulette Hunter of the Seattle Audubon spearheaded this
initial meeting which was attended by members of the three Audubon groups
as well as the WDFW in Mill Creek where we met.

The group decided we needed to know where and when various chimneys were
being used. We are hoping there are birders in the Tweeters world that can
help us. We would like to know what chimneys are currently in use or have
been used in the past. How long have these chimneys used and if not used,
why are they no longer used, e.g., have they been torn down, capped to
prevent swift use, etc. For example, there was a chimney in Enumclaw that
was reported for a few years as being used by thousands of Vaux's Swifts in
the fall migration. I haven't heard any reports the past few years. Does
any one know if it is still being used, and if not, why not? Patricia
Thompson of the WDFW and Rob Faucett are also searching their data bases
for info on past roosting sites, both in trees and chimneys. If any
Tweeters people have information on the swifts roosting habits please
email directly to me and I will collate the info for the SOS group.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at earthlink.ne