Ontario Summary Report

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1 Ontario Summary Report December Assistance for this project was provided by the Government of Ontario

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 3 Field Techniques... 3 Survey Coordination... 3 Data Collection... 3 Season Review... 5 Table 1: 2015 Ontario SwiftWatch Monitoring Summary... 6 Figure 1: The locations and distribution of 2015 SwiftWatch surveys in Ontario... 7 Table 2: Results of the 2015 National Population Monitoring Blitz in Ontario... 8 Figure 2: 2015 National Roost Monitoring Blitz population distribution at all surveyed chimneys... 9 Outreach and Education Looking Ahead to Acknowledgements

3 INTRODUCTION In 2008, Bird Studies Canada (BSC) partnered with Nature London (formerly McIlwraith Field Naturalists) to conduct a scientific assessment of their Chimney Swift monitoring protocol and make recommendations for improving the survey design. In response to interest from other naturalist groups in urban areas across Ontario, Bird Studies Canada launched Ontario SwiftWatch in 2010 to coordinate province-wide monitoring efforts. Our key objectives are to address threats to Chimney Swifts and their habitat, and to fill key knowledge gaps related to priority sites for conservation and population dynamics. These objectives are met by engaging communities and volunteers in monitoring and stewardship activities. Since the launch of SwiftWatch in 2009, over 350 volunteers have collected data on Chimney Swifts and their habitat in 110 communities at 850 nest and/or roost chimneys across Ontario and have identified an additional 3,500 potential chimneys. This report summarizes the work that has been conducted in Much of this work was completed by dedicated SwiftWatch volunteers and community groups across the province. BSC thanks the scores of citizen scientists, partners, and supporters whose contributions have helped us to advance and achieve our goals. FIELD TECHNIQUES Survey Coordination SwiftWatch volunteers contribute by donating their time to survey chimneys for the occurrence of Chimney Swifts in urban areas throughout Ontario. In many SwiftWatch communities, especially larger cities, there is a regional coordinator(s) who helps to organize and communicate with local volunteers. All of the data is entered online or ed in by the volunteers or their regional coordinator. Data Collection In 2015, Ontario SwiftWatch volunteers conducted four types of surveys. These include: 1) National Roost Monitoring surveys are conducted annually during spring migration at known, active roosts across Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and the Maritimes on four preselected dates to get a snapshot of the entire Canadian Chimney Swift population at one time. Volunteers report on the total number of Chimney Swifts seen entering a preassigned roost for each night of the national blitz. In 2015, the four survey nights were May 20, 24, 28, and June 1. 3

4 2) Presence/absence surveys help to identify new nest and roost chimneys where swifts may be found. During these surveys, volunteers identify potential nest and roost chimneys (following BSC criteria) and then make follow-up observations to determine if the chimney is used by swifts. 3) Population monitoring engages volunteers in surveying throughout the season (May- September) to generate an idea of nesting success or roosting community size. Data accumulated over many years may provide information on population trends and can help to prioritize sites for conservation action. Volunteers watch a known active nest or roost chimney on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and record how many swifts enter and/or exit the chimney. 4) Casual observations are very important and can assist in finding new areas of swift concentration or new nest and roost sites. BSC solicits casual observations of active chimneys from any location, either within or outside of areas systematically monitored by volunteers (e.g., a citizen happens to see birds entering a chimney). For a full explanation of SwiftWatch methods of data collection, please see the full protocol on the Bird Studies Canada website at 4

SEASON REVIEW In 2015, 165 citizen scientists from 43 communities monitored a total of 257 nest and/or roost sites, submitting over 800 observations to Ontario SwiftWatch (Table 1).

5 SEASON REVIEW In 2015, 165 citizen scientists from 43 communities monitored a total of 257 nest and/or roost sites, submitting over 800 observations to Ontario SwiftWatch (Table 1). This resulted in the identification of 65 new active nest and/or roost chimneys, plus one nest site in a barn (Figure 1). During the National Roost Monitoring Blitz, counts were conducted at 55 roost chimneys in Ontario (Table 2), up from 36 chimneys in Figure 2 shows the population distribution across the country over the four nights of the National Roost Monitoring Blitz. Highlights of 2015 Ontario SwiftWatch Season - Chimney Swifts arrived in Ontario quite early this year, but departed right on schedule. The first swift sighting at Long Point Provincial Park was submitted to ebird on April 12, 2015 (average earliest arrival is April 21). The last swift sighting in Ontario was in Essex, submitted to ebird on October 16, 2015 (average latest sighting is October 18). - There were record high counts at roosts across Ontario in 2015 on all nights of the National Roost Monitoring blitz, with a peak of 7,400+ swifts on May 20. This is more than triple the peak count in 2014 of 2,021 swifts on May 25. Likely this number is significantly higher because more roosts were monitored and several of the new roosts had very high counts. Cool spring temperatures could also be a factor. - SwiftWatch volunteers reported new spring roosts of 250+ birds in Goderich, Perth, Parry Sound and North Bay. A fall roost of 550+ swifts was also discovered in downtown Toronto. - The highest known count of swifts entering a chimney this year was 1,650+ birds on June 1 in downtown Toronto. The second highest count was 1,500 swifts on May 23 in Bancroft, followed by 1,398 swifts on May 20 at a chimney in downtown Ottawa. - At a workshop hosted by BSC in September 2015, we learned from a landowner about a pair of swifts which nested successfully in his barn this summer (photos below). This report is quite significant, as it is one of the first records of Chimney Swifts nesting in a barn in Ontario. The next time you have the chance to visit a barn, be sure to check for swifts and please report any nests you may find to us. R. Watson 5

6 Table 1: 2015 Ontario SwiftWatch Monitoring Summary Community Previously Identified Sites Surveyed Newly Identified (in 2015) Sites Surveyed Total Sites Surveyed Acton Aurora Bancroft Barrie Belfountain Brighton Brockville Burlington Cambridge Campbellville Collingwood Delhi Dundas Fort Erie Georgetown Guelph Goderich Huntsville Killarney Kingsville Leamington London Milton Mitchell Mississauga Newmarket North Bay Oakville Orillia Ottawa Paris Parry Sound Pelee Island Perth Peterborough Picton Port Stanley Ridgetown Sault Ste. Marie Seaforth Stratford Toronto Trenton TOTAL

7 Figure 1: The locations and distribution of 2015 SwiftWatch surveys in Ontario. The red points indicate chimneys newly identified in 2015 and the blue points indicate a previously identified chimney active again in

8 Table 2: Results of the 2015 National Population Monitoring Blitz in Ontario Number of swifts entering the roost* Roost Location May 20 May 24 May 28 June 01 Acton x Aurora Bancroft Barrie Barrie Barrie Brighton x Burlington x Cambridge Delhi Dundas Fort Erie Fort Erie Fort Erie Fort Erie Guelph 5 x 2 x Guelph x 81 x x Huntsville Kingsville 5 x 8 13 Kingsville 322 x London x London London London Milton x North Bay x North Bay x 320 x x Oakville x x x 9 Oakville x Oakville x Oakville x Oakville Oakville Oakville Oakville Ottawa x x Orillia x Paris Parry Sound Peterborough Picton Picton Ridgetown x x 4 1 Sault Ste. Marie Seaforth 0 52 x x Stratford

Table 2: Results of the National Population Monitoring Blitz in Ontario (continued) Number of swifts entering the roost* Roost Location May 20 May 24 May 28 June 01 Toronto 290 202 169 288 Toronto 63

9 Table 2: Results of the National Population Monitoring Blitz in Ontario (continued) Number of swifts entering the roost* Roost Location May 20 May 24 May 28 June 01 Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto 57 x x x Toronto x x x 57 Toronto x Toronto Trenton x Total Swifts * - As per Canadian Wildlife Service guidelines, a chimney is considered a spring roost if four or more swifts were observed entering on at least one night of the blitz. 21 additional chimneys were monitored during the blitz but do not appear on Table 2 because they housed 3 or less swifts. X Indicates no survey was completed. Figure 2: 2015 National Roost Monitoring Blitz population distribution at all surveyed chimneys 9

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION Public Education Events Seven Swift Night Out events were held in Ontario during the 2015 season, six in the spring and one in late summer.

10 OUTREACH AND EDUCATION Public Education Events Seven Swift Night Out events were held in Ontario during the 2015 season, six in the spring and one in late summer. THANK YOU to all those who organized these events: Acton Swift Night Out (Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club) Barrie Swift Night Out (Brereton Naturalists Club) Georgetown Swift Night Out (Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club) Milton Swift Night Out (Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club) Oakville Swift Night Out (Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club) Sault Ste. Marie Swift Night Out (Sault Naturalists) Toronto Swift Night Out (Bird Studies Canada) R. Elbourne Presentations and Workshops World Bird Migration Day, Brock University, St. Catharines Regional meeting of Huronia area naturalists groups, Ontario Nature, Barrie Norfolk Woodlot Owners Association Workshop, Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan Young Naturalists Club Workshop, High Park Nature Centre, Toronto Liberty Village Swift Blitz Night, Toronto Bloor West Village Swift Blitz Night, Toronto New Web Pages and Data Portal Bird Studies Canada s Swifts and Swallows web page was updated and launched in May It includes relevant information about each species including biology, threats and protection, and how a private landowner can help maintain, improve or create habitat. A new SwiftWatch data entry portal was also introduced to collect casual and formal observations of swifts at nesting and roosting sites. 10

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2016 For the upcoming 2016 Ontario SwiftWatch season, we will continue building our knowledge of active nest and roost chimneys within the province of Ontario and ramp up efforts to

11 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2016 For the upcoming 2016 Ontario SwiftWatch season, we will continue building our knowledge of active nest and roost chimneys within the province of Ontario and ramp up efforts to educate landowners and encourage the protection of high priority sites for swifts. Here are a few ways to get involved in 2016: - Report your first and last swift sightings of the season. - Sign up to watch a roost chimney during the National Roost Monitoring Blitz on May 25, 29, June 2 and 6, (NOTE: we may add an earlier fifth night to accommodate for the slightly offset date of peak migration in Ontario) - Check in on known nest and roost chimneys to see if they are still in active use by swifts. - Watch for swifts overhead at dusk and scout out chimneys in the area to find new nest/roost chimneys. - Keep an eye out for natural habitat sites (old hollow trees with a 50 cm diameter at breast height or larger) and nesting sites in barns when/if you have the chance. - Hold a Swift Night Out to educate and engage others in your community. We are currently working on new outreach materials for SwiftWatch volunteers to distribute while monitoring. You will be able to use these materials to identify yourself as a SwiftWatch volunteer and educate others in your community about swifts, their habitat and conservation issues. Stay tuned for more information on the 2016 protocol, updates to the data entry portal, new stewardship materials for landowners with swifts and volunteer training coming this spring! If you are interested in participating in Ontario SwiftWatch within your community, please contact Diana Teal, Ontario SwiftWatch Coordinator at ext. 132 or ontarioswiftwatch@birdscanada.org. J. Attridge 11

12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A big THANK YOU goes out to the 165+ SwiftWatch survey volunteers across Ontario who participated in You have grown too numerous to mention individually but we recognize your strong commitment and interest in the welfare of Chimney Swifts. This is what continues to make Ontario SwiftWatch a success. A sincere thank you also goes to all 2016 regional coordinators and key local contacts, without your dedication to the program we would not be able to collect the calibre and quantity of data we have: Aurora: Christine James and David Thomlinson, Aurora Naturalization & Wildlife Working Group Bancroft: Sharon Harwood Barrie: Phyllis Tremblay and Inga Brinckmann, Brereton Field Naturalists Cambridge: Brenda Van Ryswyk Fort Erie: Lynda Goodridge, Bert Miller Nature Club Guelph: Hazel Wheeler Halton: Emily Dobson, Halton/North Peel Naturalists Club Hamilton: Lesley McDonald, Hamilton Conservation Authority Huntsville: Nancy Gardiner Kingsville: Wendy and Luciano Durante London: Winifred Wake, Nature London Newmarket: Jeanne Beneteau, York Simcoe Naturalists Club North Bay: April McCrum and Grant McKercher Ottawa: Juliet McMurren Parry Sound: Liz Simms and Dorothy Shaver, Parry Sound Nature Club Peterborough: Chris Risley Picton: Sheila Kuja and Myrna Wood, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists Sault Ste. Marie: Valerie Walker, Sault Naturalists Seaforth: Anne Melady Stratford: Val and Mike Craig Thank you to our national partners at the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada: Quebec Region, Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative and Maritimes SwiftWatch for your continued collaboration on Chimney Swift monitoring and conservation. Thank you to Catherine Jardine for all of your work on the Swifts and Swallows web page and SwiftWatch data portal this year. In addition to in-kind support from volunteers and partners, BSC relies on financial support from grants to make this project possible. This project was undertaken in 2016 with the financial support of the Government of Canada. Assistance for this project was also provided by the Government of Ontario. 12

IBA Canada Caretaker Manual

IBA Canada Caretaker Manual Connecting Birds and People: IBAs are an important tool for engaging people in awareness and protection of their local bird populations. Contents Welcome to the Important Bird