A Swift Night Out

A Swift Night Out is a continent-wide effort to raise awareness about and encourage interest in chimney swifts and Vaux's swifts (in the West).

As summer draws to a close and the swifts have finished raising their young, these fascinating aerial acro- bats begin to congregate in communal roosts prior to their migration in the fall. Some roosts may consist of an extended family group of a half a dozen birds or so, but the larger sites can host hundreds or even thousands of swifts!

Here is how it works: Keep your eyes to the skies at dusk in late July and watch for areas where swifts are feeding. Look for a tall shaft, chimney, or similar structure to locate where chimney swifts go to roost in your area.

This year, on one night over the weekend of August 6, 7, 8, and/or September 10, 11, 12 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before dusk and estimate the number of swifs that enter. When you have your number, e-mail the data to DWA@austin. rr.com. That’s all there is to it!

Include the following information:

• Number of swifts counted
• Time
• Date
• Location
• Broad description of the site, e.g. school, warehouse, residence, chimney swift tower, etc.
• Weather conditions may also be reported.

For more information check web site for A Swift Night Out.