[mou] Important chance for citizen science!!! Chimney Swifts!

[Alt, Mark]

Check this out, a great chance to add to our knowledge of these great
birds. If you see large gatherings of Swifts, please post their location
to this list server for all to share, or take part in this
program...Good Birding!
    
 
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.  The project
was originally inspired by John Connors with the North Carolina Museum
of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina.

As summer draws to a close and the swifts have finished raising their
young, these fascinating aerial acrobats 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!  We
encourage you to involve your local Audubon chapters, bird clubs, scout
groups and neighbors in this exhilarating spectacle.  

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 (central to
east coast) or Vaux's Swift (Pacific coast) go to roost in your area.

This year, on one night over the weekend of August 10, 11, 12, and / or
September 7, 8, 9 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before
dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter.  When you have your
number, contact us with your results.  That's all there is to it!

Please include the following information: 
Number of  swifts counted
Time (and time zone)
Date
Location
Address: city, state/province
Broad description of the site, e.g. school, warehouse, residence,
Chimney Swift Tower, etc.
Weather conditions may also be reported.

Please contact us at:
E-MAIL: DWA at AUSTIN.RR.COM