Chimney Swift Sit

Photo from: http://warbler.ornith.cornell.edu/nest-cam-highlights/cameras/chimney%20swift.jpg

Today was my first time counting Chimney Swifts. It was a good reminder to me that I love Citizen Science. I took my mom with me to the chimney at St.Stephan's Lutheran Church near Dodge Nature Center. It is always a treat to share bird-watching with a new observer.

A flock of Chimney Swifts can be called a 'screaming frenzy', which is fitting once you hear their discordant chatter. Watching their flight, I ponder if an amusement ride could be designed from their flight patterns. If it was, it would be certain to make the most arduous riders nauseated.

Audubon Minnesota is sponsoring this years annual Chimney Swift Sit. The survey dates are August 9-12 and August 26-30. Just scout out your chimney and then sit there beginning about 15 minutes before dusk and count all the swifts that enter.

Here is some links about the Chimney Swift Sit if you are interested:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/blogs/99889884.html
http://mn.audubon.org/events/1816