Spreadsheet with count data and graphs for the Pershing/Whole Foods Market/St. Paul's and Dayton Swift Counts
Aug 26 Report: We had a wonderful Swift Night Out on Tuesday 8/26 at the Whole Foods Market parking lot. Fifty people counted 464 swifts About three swifts started entering the chimney about 7 PM! The swifts were flying over the area at 6:30 PM. Usually we do not see them until about 30 minutes before they enter the chimney.
I counted 295 swifts at Braeburn elementary school on 8/28.
It will be interesting to see how many swifts we count next week. Based on last year, the last week of August and beginning of Septmeber have high numbers.
Thanks to Houston Audubon, the Nature Discovery Center, and Whole Foods Market for a great event!
Next week, 9/2, we will meet about 7:30 - 7:45 PM at Whole Foods. It should be interesting!
-- Pam Smolen
Count Locations:
Tips on Counting Swifts by Paul and Georgean Kyle: When counting Chimney Swifts at roosts, the numbers can become overwhelming -- especially as the numbers continue to climb as we move
toward fall migration over the next few weeks. What we have found to work
quite well is to use an athletic lap counter. These are available at most
sporting goods stores. You can tally without taking your eyes off of the
swifts.
When the numbers of swifts are relatively low, a direct count can be made --
one click per swift. At sites where the numbers exceed several hundred (or
the entry rate is high), make one click per 10 swifts and multiply the end
number of clicks by 10 for the total. It works really well if several
counters can average their counts at the end.
Pershing/Whole Foods Market Swift Counts 2008
Graph prepared by Pam Smolen
Pershing/Whole Foods Market/St. Paul's Swift Counts 2007
Graph prepared by Pam Smolen
