Date post: | 08-Apr-2017 |
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Environment |
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Encouraging Swifts and Swallows on the Organic Farm
Allison Manthorne [email protected] 1(506) 364-5196www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/ai
Overview1. What is SwiftWatch?
2. What are “Aerial Insectivores”?
Barn Swallow Cliff Swallow Tree Swallow Chimney Swift
3. How can I help? Nesting Habitat Around the farm Citizen Science
4. Get in touch! Mark Peck
Maritimes SwiftWatch Citizen Science program launched in
2011 in NB and NS
Objectives: Identify Chimney Swift nest and
roost sites Encourage stewardship Protect habitat Monitor population
Activities: Chimney Swift roost counts, nest
checks Swift Night Out events New in 2015: swift and swallow
project Erin Brethauer, Asheville Citizen-Times
Aerial Insectivores A group of birds that specialize in a diet of
flying insects
Different habitats, wintering ranges, human disturbance but similar diets
Flycatchers Nightjars SwiftsSwallows
Alan Schmierer
Kenneth Cole Schneider
Steve Benoit CB Stokes
Source: North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada. 2012. The State of Canada's Birds, 2012. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 36 pages.
Source: North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada. 2012. The State of Canada's Birds, 2012. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 36 pages.
Barn Swallow Steely blue head and back Brown forehead and throat Tan-coloured belly Deeply forked tail Nest is an open mud cup
Lip Kee Yap Bryant Olsen
Barn Swallow Threatened across Canada Population declined by more
than 75% since 1960s Threats: habitat loss, climate
change, disappearance of insect prey
Bryant OlsenLip Kee Yap
Cliff Swallow Dark blue-black head and
back White forehead, dark throat White belly Tail not forked Nest is an enclosed mud pod
Dan Debold Carol Foll
Cliff Swallow Population is declining but
not yet threatened Threats: habitat loss, nest
destruction, climate change, disappearance of insect prey
Lip Kee Yap Carol Foll
Tree Swallow Iridescent blue-green back
and head White throat and belly Tail not forked Nest is built inside nestbox
or tree cavity and lined with feathers and straw
First swallow to return in spring
Mark Peck Jon Benson
Tree Swallow Populations declining but not
yet threatened Threats: climate change,
disappearance of insect prey Readily accepts nestboxes
Jon BensonMark Peck
Chimney Swift Charcoal grey Stubby, spiky tail Pale throat Bow-and-arrow
silhouette “cigar with wings” Constant twittering call
Abian Sacks Bruce DiLabio
Mark Elderkin
Chimney Swift Threatened across
Canada Population declined by
95% since 1960s Habitat loss, climate
change, nest destruction, disappearance of insects
Check out “How to be a good Chimney Swift host”
Mark Elderkin
Ontario SwiftWatchAbian Sacks
How can we help swifts and
swallows on organic farms?
1. Maintain or Create Nesting Habitat 2. Maintain Foraging Habitat 3. Become a Citizen ScientistChristian Artuso
Maintain Nesting Habitat
Action: Provide an access point
to suitable buildings by leaving open a door or window
Benefits: Barn Swallows Cliff Swallows Chimney Swifts
banbe1964
William Garrett
Maintain Nesting Habitat
Action: Maintain a source of
mud near barns and other buildings
Benefits: Barn Swallows Cliff Swallows
Heathyr
Peter Kelly
Maintain Nesting Habitat
Action: Resist the temptation to
remove old nests -swallows often reuse them
Benefits: Barn Swallows Cliff Swallows
Mark Peck
Maintain Nesting Habitat
Action: Mount artificial nest
cups or shelves in a sheltered area out of reach of predators (rats, racoons, cats)
Benefits: Barn Swallow, Eastern
Phoebe, Robin © 2013, American Artifacts and Richard Van Vleck, Taneytown, Maryland.
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Maintain Nesting Habitat
Action: Mount nest boxes in
an open area, out of reach of predators (rats, racoons, cats)
Benefits: Tree Swallows, Eastern
BluebirdsJon Benson
Maintain Foraging Habitat
Action: Provide open areas
that support aerial insects
Examples: Marshes, ponds,
streams Grasslands, pastures Barnyards Right-of-ways Richle Diesterheft
Become a Citizen Scientist
Volunteers share their energy, skill, and bird sightings through research and monitoring programs:
Maritimes SwiftWatch
Project NestWatch
Swifts and Swallows
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer
Allison Manthorne
Complete our Landowner Survey! What species are found on your property?
What actions have you taken to encourage or discourage nesting swifts and swallows?
What motivates you to encourage or discourage nesting swifts and swallows on your property?
What is your level of awareness regarding swifts and swallow threats and protection?
How can Bird Studies Canada support you as a steward and citizen scientist?
Rob Mueller
Complete our Landowner Survey!
Provide your contact information for a chance to win a copy of Woodworking for Wildlife by Carol L. Henderson! Includes thirty designs for nest
boxes and nest platforms that will accommodate forty-six species of wildlife
easy-to-follow diagrams for cutting out and assembling the nest boxes
over three hundred beautiful color photographs
Rob Mueller
Attention PEI farmers:
Since 2012 Island Nature Trust has been working with farmers and other rural landowners to:
Collect breeding observations of Barn Swallow and Bobolink
Maintain nesting habitat for Barn Swallows and Bobolink
Manage grassland for nesting Bobolink
© Natalie Loo
Shannon [email protected]
To find out more or to participate in this project contact:
Landowners on PEI can participate by:
This landowner did not want to keep their barn doors open but wanted to allow access for swallows. A simple fix!
Opening buildings in April to allow access to Barn Swallow Maintaining a supply of mud for nesting Barn Swallow Installing nest ledges Reporting observations of Barn Swallow and Bobolink Monitoring these species on their property Delaying hay harvest until after July 7
AcknowledgementsThank you to our tireless volunteers, participating landowners, project partners and supporters.
Keep in touch!
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/ai
@Mar_Swifts Maritimes.Swifts
To find out more or to participate in this project on PEI, contact Shannon Mader: [email protected] 1 (902) 892-7523
Allison Manthorne, Maritimes SwiftWatch
[email protected] 1(506) 364-5196