Rotary Bulletin - January 26, 2012 (con't)

Posted by Karen Noiles 
on Jan 26, 2012
 

GUEST SPEAKER

ImageBarb C introduced guest speaker, Ally Manthorne from Bird Studies Canada.  Ally is from British Columbia and attended the University of Victoria.  She has been in Sackville for the past two years with her husband.

Students for a Swift Recovery:  Ally gave us a slide show on Chimney Swifts, an endangered bird of approximately 11,000 in population (which can be seen in Sackville), and gave us an informative presentation.

What?

Chimney Swifts are near-tropical migratory birds who only eat insects – catching them in mid-air.  They are named as such because of the locations they like to roost (in chimneys).

Uniqueness

  • Short (weak) legs with large feet and long sharp claws;
  • Spine-tip tail;
  • Long, pointed wings;
  • One of the fastest land birds who takes flight similar to a helicopter;
  • Tiny beak with a large mouth;
  • Only seen in North America, wintering in Peru;
  • They migrate back very slowly as they hate the cold; Appear from early to mid-May and disappear late August;
Where?

  • Not found in Newfoundland but other Maritime locations such as Fredericton, Wolfville, New Glascow, and Pictou;
  • Seek shelter in chimneys during rain or cold (similar to bats);
  • Very territorial when mating and only two will occupy the same roost;
  • Some roost in trees, some in sewage lagoons for the abundance of insects;

Why are they at risk?

  • Over 95% decline since 1968;
  • Sackville’s swifts are depleting;
  • Placed on the National threatened species in 2009;

Top 4 Reasons

  • Habitat loss – traditional (forests) and modern (chimneys) – screens and metal liners are more obstacles.
  • Food – is disappearing and/or changing due to forest clearing and climate change.
  • Intolerance – human behaviour – people don’t like hearing the birds in their homes.  The babies are particularly noisy.
  • Climate change – hurricanes during migration – severe storms – early springs.

How to help?

  • Modify or maintain their habitat;
  • Have your chimney swept;
  • Uncap your chimney in the summer;
  • Leave standing deadwood (even small branches);
  • Reduce your use of pesticides;
  • Check our Maritime Swift Watch – there are 20 roosts across NB and NS;
  • A community effort is required by industry, landowners, and schools to ensure conservation;

Students for a Swift Recovery want to:

  • Partner with schools and install cameras to watch the birds;
  • Provide workshops, information sessions, and include in art;
  • Build community interest;                                        
  • Their long-term goal is to have these roosts protected.

Fundraising efforts include:

  • Collaborating with industry and corporate sponsors, e.g. Shell Canada, whom they have asked for $50K – provides an online voting system to see where the $$ will go.  Fifty percent will be in the Maritimes and 50% in Ontario;
  • You will need an online account to vote;
  • With each Shell receipt, you’ll have the opportunity to vote ten times;
  • You can vote at www.fuellingchange.com;
  • Twitter and Facebook are also following the progress!

ImageAlly ended her presentation by thanking her funding partners and all the volunteers.  Darrell thanked Ally for her informative presentation and explained our Literacy endeavour of a book donation and a card-of-thanks.

The meeting adjourned with the stating of the 4-Way Test.  

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