Swift Chat & Tour: A Two-Part Chimney Swift Experience!

Photo Credit: Christian Artuso

The UM Indigenous Birding Club, in collaboration with Nature Manitoba’s Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative, is excited to announce a two-part event focusing on the fascinating and vulnerable (Global IUCN, 2020) Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica). These birds, known for nesting in old chimneys across southern Manitoba, are valuable members of our ecosystem, eating flying insects like mosquitoes. Their flight patterns and acrobatics make them fun to watch, especially at dusk when they are returning to their chimneys to roost for the night. Their population is decreasing, but you can make a difference and help reverse this trend. Join us to learn how you can help.

Part 1: Date: March 13, 2024 Time: 4:30 pm  Location: Student Lounge, Migizii Agamik – The Bald Eagle Lodge

Join us as we partner with Marissa Berard, a Métis Scientist from Nature Manitoba, for an informative session about Chimney Swifts. Here you will learn all about Chimney Swifts and the efforts that are being made to assist this globally threatened species (Global IUCN, 2020). You will also learn about ways you can help them. Come and enjoy some food and learn about this super cool and important species.   Supper will be provided.   Registration is required. Please register here by March 12, 2024, at noon.

Part 2: 

Date: TBD – Date dependent on their return from South America. 

Time: TBD – In the evening to witness the amazing spectacle of them returning to their roosts in chimneys at dusk. 

Location: Various chimneys in Winnipeg – departing from Migizii Agamik – The Bald Eagle Lodge.

Join us on a tour of chimneys in Winnipeg that are used by Chimney Swifts. The tour will be led by Justin Rasmussen and Bailey Hendry of UM IBC and Marissa Berard of the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative. The tour will offer a chance to witness these birds in their “natural” habitat. The exact date of the tour will depend on the birds' return to Winnipeg from their wintering grounds in South America.    Transportation will be provided for all participants. The tour will depart from Migizii Agamik – The Bald Eagle Lodge. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about and observe Chimney Swifts up close!

Please use the registration form link above to sign up for updates. Note: You do not need to attend Part 1 to attend Part 2.