Overview
Project Name
Swifts and Swallows
Access Level
By Request
Year started
2002
Year Ended
Ontario: 2002 – ongoing Maritimes: 2011 – ongoing
Dataset
SwiftWatch
About
Dataset summary
Chimney Swift count data for roost and nest sites in Ontario and the Maritimes.
Season(s) and frequency
Annual for most roost sites late May-early June, irregular for all other sites
Geographic area covered
Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, Canada
Primary species covered
Chimney Swift, Chaetura Pelagica
Goals
Through SwiftWatch, Birds Canada, its partners, and hundreds of volunteers are working to help Chimney Swift recovery in Canada. The primary objectives of this program are to fill key knowledge gaps for Chimney Swifts by identifying and monitoring priority roost and nest sites, and taking further conservation action to address threats to swifts, specifically the loss of roost and nest habitat. Data collected through this program directly inform and guide the conservation and management of this species and its habitat.
Methods
Sampling Design
Participants conduct standardized roost monitoring surveys between May and September by counting the net number of Chimney Swifts entering a chimney, starting 30 min before sunset and ending 15 min after the last bird enters the chimney. Participants record time, date, cloud cover, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. Participants conduct standardized nest surveys by observing nest location for 1 hour during daylight hours and recording entries and exits to structure.
Field methods
Data are primarily collected by volunteers and community groups, with Birds Canada staff and field technicians doing some surveys.
Partners
Citation
Birds Canada. 2025. "Swifts and Swallows". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
