There has been a lot of talk in Illinois lately about Chimney Swifts. There are apparently still swifts at multiple locations in Illinois, even though there have basically been no prior November records. And while all of these "I saw a Chimney Swift today" posts are getting a bit repetitive, it is still a pretty interesting migratory. Why are Chimney Swifts staying so late this year? Are other areas in the Midwest still seeing Chimney Swifts? This is the type of thing that is up to us birders to document...might even make an interesting article if you coudl find some sort of pattern or explanation for this late migration.
A quick search of several Midwest listserves shows one November Chimney Swift in Ohio but that's about it. (There have been some swifts still along the Indiana lakefront but we consider that to still be in the Chicago area.) Nothing in Iowa, Michigan, or Wisconsin...although this is the kind of thing that might not be reported or even noticed unless you're looking for Chimney Swifts.
So, what is happening here?
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4 comments:
Enough of the Chimney Swifts. Its time for the Cave Swallows. I'm in the mood for Cave Swallows now. Not these twittering Chimney Swifts. As far as I am concerned they have outstayed their welcome!
I've been watching this with interest and a bit of confusion. It doesn't seem to be happening in surrounding states. It has been weeks since a Chimney Swift has been reported in Iowa.
I'm with mikem--with the nice warm southwestern airflow coming into the midwest this week, I'll be out looking for Cave Swallows!
Also, check out what happened this weekend in Wisconsin--Prairie, Hooded, and Black-and-white warblers. Pretty clear, and bizarre pattern there.
Why don't you get off your fat ass and find a swift on your own!
...And Townsends too. Some Warblers and Swifts seem caught in a time warp. They have stayed beyond the first killing frosts. Very unusual. All the other birds seem to be migrating normally.
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