Thorold's Twilight Zone

Intrepid citizen scientists enter The Twilight Zone to find Chimney Swift's roosting sites.

The Chimney Swift is a tiny bird with a sleek silhouette, shaped like a Cuban cigar. It is built to fly nimbly, maneuvering over rooftops, fields, and rivers to catch tiny insects. Its curving wings and shallow wing beat gives it a distinctive fluid movement.

Most of its life is spent in the air, as it cannot perch like other birds. When it lands, it has to clings to a vertical surface. Once, their habitat would have been in hollow trees or caves. However, these natural habitats are becoming scarce. During the twentieth century, these indigenous birds have adapted and now live in chimneys. Sadly, the species has recently suffered sharp decline. This is due to the fact that chimneys have fallen out of architectural vogue. As a result, Chimney Swifts have become a species at risk. An article in the St. Catharines Standard states that,

"Over the past 40 years, the population of these birds has dropped by 96% across Canada. There are only about 8,000 of them left in Ontario, mainly in the Greater Toronto Area."

Image from Bunch Family

There is little known about the local habits of these enigmatic little birds. Given that they are now a species-at-risk, it is essential to understand their habits. Having this factual basis of knowledge will allow urbanites to better accommodate their avian neighbor’s needs in a shared urban landscape.

Gathering this type of knowledge is the task of Citizen Scientists. They are an enthusiastic group of individuals, who contribute their time, effort, and resources toward scientific research. To be a Citizen Scientist does not require a formal scientific background. Bird Studies Canada, a not-for-profit organization, uses volunteer chimney swift surveyors for its Ontario SwiftWatch Project.

Last summer, a gaggle of my friends stopped at a variety store to get Slurpees and spend a summer evening observing the rooftops of downtown Thorold. Chimney Swifts were nearly impossible to follow. Soaring high and out of sight, they were often heard before they were seen. The best time to observe Chimney Swifts is at twilight when they prepare to roost for the night. It was a wonderful experience to observe these tiny ambassadors of nature within a heritage urban setting.