The first use of purpose-built in artificial Chimney Swift habitat in Manitoba

Abstract

Previous attempts to provide purpose-built artificial chimneys in Manitoba for the threatened Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) have not attracted swifts. A new design of artificial chimney was constructed in Winnipeg and moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Chimney Swifts bred in this tower during the summer of 2019, the first confirmed use of purpose-built artifical habitat in western Canada.

Possible effects of placement timing on the use of replacement habitat by Chimney Swifts in Manitoba

“…The tower at Assiniboine Park Zoo was occupied by a breeding pair of Chimney Swifts in its second full season in place. 5 The success of this tower was potentially a consequence of proximity to a large hub of at least 11 nesting and roosting chimneys north of the Assiniboine River, with the closest chimney being approximately 300 m from the tower. 5 Two regular nesting chimneys were still left standing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre in 2021, and each tower was no more than 70 m from the closest occupied nesting chimney.…”

“…5 The success of this tower was potentially a consequence of proximity to a large hub of at least 11 nesting and roosting chimneys north of the Assiniboine River, with the closest chimney being approximately 300 m from the tower. 5 Two regular nesting chimneys were still left standing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre in 2021, and each tower was no more than 70 m from the closest occupied nesting chimney. By contrast, the closest known occupied nest chimney to the Old Grace Housing Co-op is an apartment block 185 m away in a dense urban neighbourhood.…”

“…A large brick chimney at the Old Grace Hospital in the Wolseley neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was demolished in the winter of 2014. 5 Initially, a large timber tower was constructed on the site of the hospital, but was only completed in July 2015, too late to support nesting that year. No Chimney Swifts were recorded roosting in the tower over the subsequent weeks.…”

“…The tower was removed in the fall of 2015 to facilitate new buildings at the Old Grace location and it was moved to the Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg in 2018. 5 Construction of a multipurpose housing complex, the Old Grace Housing Cooperative, began on the original site in 2016 and was formally opened in 2019. A false chimney was constructed within the new building development as long-term mitigation for the loss of Chimney Swift habitat.…”

“…All tower designs and construction were based on the successful tower at the Assiniboine Park (former Old Grace tower), the design of which followed guidelines from the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative. 5,6 Internal dimensions of T2, T3 and T4 are 0.762 m x 0.762 m x 10.36 m; T1 is 0.76 m x 0.76 m x 13.82 m. The inside of each tower is lined with rough sawn cedar and the outside is clad with steel sheeting.…”