Chimney swift presentation set for Thursday

Press release

Now is people’s chance to get involved with the research on one of Montana’s newest residents, the chimney swift.

Montana Audubon will be hosting a chimney swift presentation Thursday, July 7, at Montana State University-Northern, Hagener Science Cneter Room 112, that will cover the ecology and identification of these charismatic swifts, followed by a walk around town to survey local chimneys for nesting sites.

People can contact Peter Dudley [email protected] for more information.

In the last three years, Audubon staff and volunteers have located new nesting sites in towns like Billings, Glasgow, and Miles City.

“While we know the chimney swifts are out and about, we really need your help locating more while the birds are active and nesting,” a release about the presentation said. “Because little is known about their nesting range throughout our state, Montana Audubon is turning to citizen science for answers.

Unlike searching for other swifts, chimney swifts are best-surveyed in towns and near buildings with large chimneys. Surveys are short, occurring 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after sunset, with observers being stationed for just a short time at selected chimneys.