After hearing about "Swift Night Out" activities in parts of the state, on a hunch, I checked the big chimney at the old Orange Elementary building a few miles south of Waterloo on Kimball beginning a couple of times last week. I wasn't disappointed and was surprised at the numbers of swifts using the chimney to roost.
Wed. Sept. 11 - 7:40 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. - 191 swifts pouring into the chimney. Thursday Sept. 12 - 7:15 - 7:50 p.m. - 144 swifts with most activity from 7:30 - 7:40 p.m. Tonight Sept. 18 - 7:23 - 7:38 p.m. - 146 swifts When I got there tonight at 7:05 there was one swift flying around. Shortly thereafter another half dozen circled the area. By 7:20 they just started showing up in mass and, as during the other evenings, within 10 minutes 90% dropped into the chimney. I wonder when the peak may have been and for how many more nights the show will continue. Good secluded viewing is on the west side of the building on the old playground. I access the area by driving around the south side of the building. A brand new Orange Elem. is a half block away. Hopefully the old school chimney can be preserved or a tower erected nearby. Tom Schilke - Waterloo Tom Schilke --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
