Chronology of Autumn Turkey Vulture Movement at Valentine

Turkey Vultures are a common summer resident in the vicinity of north Valentine, and the number present increases as fall migration occurs. By mid-summer of 2017, there were more than 100 that would congregate in tree snags at the western extent of Government Pond, immediately west of the Valentine Fish Hatchery.

From mid-September through early October, once the vultures left the roost in the morning, a group of them would soar westerly along the ridge of the Minnechaduza Creek valley. With their regular occurrence, several days were spent recording how many vultures were seen and the time of their occurrence. Details were also occasionally kept on local weather conditions, notably temperature, wind speed and its direction.

Information was derived from 88 records of observation as designated to a particular 15-minute period of time (i.e., all records between 10:30 to 10:44 within period for 10:30) for the same vantage point a bit more than one mile westward of the vulture night roost. Birds were denoted when they passed a particular line of demarcation of the landscape. A few of the records were associated with the nearby Valentine Mill Pond and the city of Valentine.

Regarding general bird movement, for most of the morning observations the vultures were going westerly. Those associated with late day times were going easterly, likely returning to the roost site.

In general, vultures would not occur until after 9 a.m. When there were windy conditions early in the morning, there would be vultures earlier than on calm days. If there had any precipitation or extensive dew, the vultures would also be seen flying at a later time.

These are a couple of examples of details associated with sightings of a greater number of vultures on a particular morning:

• 09/27/2017: one soaring westerly at 1004
  
• one soaring westerly at 1009
  
• three soaring westerly at 1012
  
• two soaring westerly at 1024
  
• one soaring easterly at 1042; a bird returning easterly was not typical for the morning observations
  
• one seen at 1110; calm winds with a few wispy clouds; temp at 59o
  
• one at 1141 soaring above in slight winds less than 5 mph
  

Since an overall tally for a period of time was not determined, the difference in birds going westerly or easterly does not influence the extent of overall occurrence numbers as that particular detail was not determined.

• 09/29/2017: ten in an obvious bunch moving westward above the pine-clad ridge; northeast wind at 6 mph, temp 54o and partly cloudy; the ten occurred at ten at 1004 and then another one at 1008 a.m.
  

Later in the day, there was a flock of 27 seen at the North Park Ridge, a prairie area just to the north of the roost site. Notations indicate: at 1640, soaring above the hills with some others above the heart city; what a magnificent sight; sunset near 7:30 p.m.

This is an example of a sightings on the morning of October 1^st:

• three at 9:45
  
• one at 0950
  
• three at 9:54; going westerly; at 10 a.m. 62o, winds ssw at 12 mph with gusts up to 18 mph
  
• six soaring about above the ridge at 1008
  
• one at 1010
  
• one at 1012
  
• two at 1017
  
• two at 1020
  

The records kept indicate that the vultures set flight and were moving in small groups and from 915 to 1045 a.m.

Daytime Chronology of Turkey Vultures at the North Lake Shore Hills and Valentine

Time of Day	9/17	9/19	9/20	9/21	9/22	9/24	9/26	9/27	9/28	9/29	10/1	10/3	10/4
815	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-
900	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
915	-	7	-	12	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
930	-	6	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
945	-	5	-	2	-	-	2	-	-	6	8	-	-
1000	-	1	5	3	-	1	1	5	2	11	8	-	-
1015	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	2	2	-	4	-	1
1030	1	1	1	2	-	-	-	1	13	4	-	-	-
1045	4	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1100	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	1
1130	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	1	-	-	-	-	-
1300	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1330	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1430	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1600	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-
1615	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
1630	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	27	-	-	-
1645	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
1700	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	-	-	-	-	-
1730	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
1815	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
1830	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
1915	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

With only a relatively lesser percentage of the vultures noted going westerly along the Minnechaduza valley ridge, obviously many of the vultures went elsewhere. On occasion they could be seen going southwesterly. The destination for others is not known.

If there was one mystery for the breeding season occurrence of a few vultures and then the migratory season congregation, what did they eat? The carcass of a fox was placed at a spot visible to the soaring vultures, but it was never even visited.

Most of the roost trees used by the vultures are pine tree snags that are the result of a wild fire in 2012. The extent of these trees has decreased through the years as the trees rot and eventually fall to the ground. Eventually the snag trees now present will be gone so the vultures will have to find an alternative roosting site.

Autumn Season of Chimney Swifts of Eastern Omaha - 2014

The autumn 2014 season of Chimney Swifts congregating at suitable spaces of eastern Omaha was notably different in comparison to previous years.

Swifts were gone from the city skies days earlier than previously noted. Though these bird had migrated to the south, there were warm days and bugs notably present. Temperatures were above average through nearly the end of October. European Starlings were seen "hawking" for bugs in the sky, similar to what swifts did in previous weeks of the year.

A new record for the number of swifts using one chimney occurred this autumn, and it was at the Izard Industrial Zone on September 16th. It surpassed the earlier record counts for a church in the Blackstone neighborhood.

These are the peak counts associated with the results of Omaha swift surveys, conducted since 2003 in the eastern extent of the river city:

• Izard Industrial Zone on 09/16/2014 - 1530; a magnificent evening count at the CenturyLink maintenance facility chimney along Izard Street, near 43rd Street
• Blackstone District on 09/13/2011 - 1400; done by 7:55 p.m.; same number as two nights ago at First Central Congregational Church
• Blackstone District on 09/11/2011 - 1400; multi-sided chimney at First Central Congregational Church at 36th and Harney; massing about and then entered in about five minutes; multiple layers, directions and swirls; counted by groups of ten as they entered
• Blackstone District on 09/17/2014 - 1385; into First Central Congregational Chimney
• Izard Industrial Zone on 10/09/2012 - 1350; swarming as they have on the previous two nights; ready vocalization; done by ca. 7:15 p.m. at CenturyLink building
• Izard Industrial Zone on 10/08/2012 - 1325; vocal as typical on a warmer evening, with some sort of hurry for them to get into CenturyLink chimney; done about 7:25 p.m., with dusk heavy on the scene; counted in groups as they entered chimney at CenturyLink building
• Izard Industrial Zone on 10/07/2012 - 1325; a surprisingly large, vocal group early into the CenturyLink chimney; done by 7:15 p.m. with bunches counted as they swiftly entered the chimney

The last observation of the 2014 season was eleven swifts seen at Benson on October 15th. Ten of the birds flew southeast of the central building district to an unknown roost, and only one was seen using a particular chimney. Swifts utilize several chimneys in this urban setting, as seen and enjoyed by residents and visitors, as experienced on the streets of this district during October.

This occurrence was earlier than expected, as once there was a cool night or two, the weather moderated, with temperatures in the 70s and frost-free night for seven to ten subsequent days. There were European Starlings flying like swifts hawking for bugs seen after the bug-eaters were gone.

After many years of observation and keeping detailed records, there are enough details to determine some approximate sort of pattern associated with the autumnal gatherings of the swifts at Omaha. There may be many dozens of birds present and using a particular chimney on one evening, yet none the next day at the same time. This was obvious this year, especially at the Dundee at Dodge Street locale. There were an approximate 155 seen on October 13, yet none the next evening.

During the 2014 season, the largest congregations of swifts at roosts occurred nearly three weeks prior to dates when a similar number occurred in 2013. Also, the last known presence of these birds occurred a week earlier than last year, based upon surveys done at the same geographic locale.

There are more than twenty records of occurrence for swifts in Omaha, subsequent to the latest date for the 2014 autumn season. This includes five times when more than one hundred swifts were counted at a particular chimney in the evening.

This is a summary of the autumnal days associated with Chimney Swift occurrence among the urban setting of eastern Omaha, for the past few years. The records are based upon multiple surveys, primarily during the evening hours. Julian date 255 is usually October 12th, with October 21st the latest date indicated.

Julian Date	2003	2005	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
255	425	850	- -	- -	374	- -	90	23	- -	- -
256	265	160	- -	- -	60	- -	1400	- -	18	- -
257	- -	265	- -	65	- -	25	254	325	220	- -
258	66	- -	- -	- -	66	- -	- -	2	185	44
259	157	- -	- -	- -	58	- -	- -	130	81	1530
260	405	- -	- -	25	27	- -	- -	504	1	1402
261	80	- -	- -	- -	304	- -	- -	75	9	62
262	462	- -	- -	- -	243	- -	60	56	12	711
263	325	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	70	480	534	- -
264	460	- -	- -	- -	495	190	- -	145	135	- -
265	- -	- -	- -	25	269	- -	45	225	93	700
266	- -	- -	- -	- -	136	16	140	335	- -	- -
267	- -	- -	- -	- -	98	65	- -	17	19	200
268	- -	- -	- -	15	266	220	- -	- -	- -	342
269	- -	- -	- -	- -	137	1	- -	- -	97	372
270	- -	- -	- -	- -	170	- -	- -	365	7	200
271	- -	- -	- -	260	155	- -	- -	65	505	- -
272	- -	- -	- -	- -	408	2	- -	260	349	285
273	- -	- -	- -	155	13	2	- -	225	140	- -
274	- -	- -	- -	225	724	- -	- -	121	33	20
275	- -	- -	25	330	- -	- -	- -	68	306	630
276	- -	- -	- -	- -	178	3	- -	10	53	- -
277	- -	- -	- -	385	511	- -	- -	96	62	330
278	- -	- -	- -	12	42	- -	430	660	160	110
279	- -	- -	- -	32	228	15	- -	630	135	150
280	- -	- -	- -	120	65	- -	- -	59	155	55
281	- -	- -	- -	360	107	130	8	1325	201	121
282	- -	- -	- -	85	227	140	190	1325	154	66
283	- -	- -	- -	183	90	- -	90	1350	200	180
284	- -	- -	- -	289	2	140	- -	626	168	243
285	- -	- -	- -	397	8	265	65	585	157	23
286	- -	- -	- -	120	- -	- -	17	625	31	165
287	- -	- -	- -	130	- -	- -	- -	710	9	2
288	- -	- -	- -	65	1	- -	4	6	2	11
289	- -	- -	- -	137	16	- -	- -	10	4	- -
290	- -	- -	- -	191	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	- -
291	- -	- -	- -	136	1	- -	- -	- -	147	- -
292	- -	- -	- -	25	54	- -	- -	- -	132	- -
293	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
294	- -	- -	- -	- -	9	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -

There is no effort underway in Omaha to designate and conserve chimney structures utilized by thousands of migratory and breeding Chimney Swifts. The trend continues to be a loss of chimney roosting habitat, with particular spaces lost each year, to the detriment of the birds.

Birdly Migration Wonders About Omaha

Autumn continues its progression and new wonders of Missouri Valley migration are now occurring.

The evenings of 16-17 September have been especially enjoyable for the number of chimney swifts and common nighthawks seen.

On both of the last two evenings, two huge roosts of swifts have been visited. There were about 1500 swifts the first night in the west Mercer Park area. These birds have previously used this structure, but the number observed is the single greatest count for birds at an autumn roost for Omaha.

On Wednesday evening, a different structure in the Blackstone district once again had about 1400 swifts, a number similar to the same date in 2013.

A few nighthawks were seen Tuesday, but on Wednesday were constantly overhead from Dundee to Cathedral, and the Joslyn and Blackstone neighborhoods. There were hundreds of birds kettling and silently bugging overhead.

There was an ample supply of bugs available. One large swarm in the neighborhood was obvious earlier in the neighborhood, and lesser bunches could be seen elsewhere during my bicycling about looking for chimneys being used by roosting swifts.

It's a fine evening when the antics of a multitude of swifts can be found and observed as they gather, circle about and then dart into their overnight shelter!

Season's Finale for Chimney Swifts in East Omaha

The sky-scape above eastern Omaha which had been the haven for so many Chimney Swifts when temperatures were warm and soothing, is now barren of these birds as the cold season descends upon the metropolis. The last of this years Chimney Swifts has left, migrating — as they do every year — to the south where bugs abound and are plentiful for capture as a days meal after their time up north.

This autumn season conveyed significantly different situations derived from numerous observations of the bugeaters about the eastern extent of the river city. Places were they had previously occurred in many hundreds were not even used as a nights' haven this year. Other chimneys, while known to provide a nightly roost, had a greater extent of use and on an extended basis than heretofore determined.

There is a variety of details to consider for the swift activity associated with multiple dates of observations from the first of September, through the last evening when a single swift dropped into the chimney of a Benson building. Include the records kept for previous years, and the opportunity for comparison expands.

Considering significant details from autumn at Omaha, an obvious indication is that many of the places where more than one thousand swifts occurred in 2012, were not the sites used by these birds this season. Specific places were visited on the same calendar date, with an intent to determine comparisons. In 2012, at more than one place and on more than one date, there were more than a thousand swifts, yet in 2013, none were observed at two significant chimneys, prominently in the Blackstone District as well as the Izard Industrial Zone with its two predominant, and large chimneys.

None of the autumnal counts this season had a count of more than one thousand swifts. The routine associated with observing these birds was similar to what has been done during past years to document their occurrence. Former haunts were barren, though it was apparent that the features of the chimneys had not been obviously changed. There was especially, a dearth of swifts in the morning, which is a completely suitable time for watching the birds depart from their overnight roost.

Significant this autumn, were two great chimneys. One was a church just east of the Walnut Hill Reservoir Park, where after being assaulted by an irate motorist, and eyed with skepticism by a nearby resident, the evening's observation spot at a park place, there were hundreds of swifts observed descending into their haven for the night. Also, and not to be ignored, there was a wonderful bunch of Common Nighthawks going southward above the scene. Other chimneys nearby also were used to a lesser extent.

Along Dodge Street in the south Dundee area, an apartment house with a big chimney was a haven as the season descended. More than 500 occurred one evening, and eventually the numbers of birds declined, with fewer numbers seen during the evening, until they were gone. There were only a few swifts present in Dundee, but upon revising the focus of attention, many more were prevalent in the Benson neighborhood.

Observations along the alley south of the main street of Benson ended the season. There were more than 125 on two evenings, in mid-October. The number of swifts then drastically declined to a single swift into a big structure at the east end of the business district.

Here was where where the last swift of the season, a sole bird, dropped into a chimney haven in the evening. This was not a new late date of occurrence, but was one of the latest dates based upon the many known days when the mighty bugeaters have been known to be present within Douglas County.

There were 44 dates when swift activity was personally observed during this autumn season. Observations from other area birders, including Win Finegan a resident in Dundee, and from NEBirds, were also helpful as the contributions helped to convey a broader perspective.

This is the season's summary, as determined for September and October, 2013.

Date	Carter Lake District	Fonten- elle Park District	Down- town Omaha District	Midtown Omaha District	Bemis Park District	Mercer District	Cathe- dral District	Izard District	Carth- age District	Saddle Creek District	Dundee District	Memor- ial Park District	Benson District	Rock- brook District
09/02	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	105	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/03	- -	- -	55	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/04	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6	- -	- -
09/05	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/07	- -	- -	140	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/08	- -	- -	137	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/10	- -	- -	- -	110	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/11	- -	- -	20	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/13	15	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	3	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/14	- -	- -	210	- -	- -	- -	- -	10	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/15	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	185	- -	- -	- -
09/16	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	81	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/17	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/18	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	9	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/19	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/20	- -	- -	285	100	137	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/21	25	- -	- -	110	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/22	30	- -	- -	- -	- -	54	- -	9	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/24	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	17	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/26	- -	- -	25	- -	- -	- -	- -	72	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/27	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/28	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	505	- -	- -	- -
09/29	28	9	- -	- -	155	- -	- -	157	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
09/30	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	140	- -	- -	- -
10/01	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	33	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/02	- -	- -	- -	- -	306	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/03	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	53	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/04	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	62	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/05	- -	- -	85	- -	- -	- -	- -	75	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/06	- -	- -	- -	135	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/07	15	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	136	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/08	- -	- -	65	- -	12	- -	- -	124	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/09	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	148	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	6
10/10	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	15	- -	174	- -	- -	11	- -	- -	- -
10/11	- -	- -	60	- -	- -	- -	- -	101	7	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/12	- -	- -	145	- -	- -	0	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/13	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	29	- -	- -	- -
10/14	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	2	- -	4	1	- -	- -
10/15	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
10/16	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -
10/17	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	- -
10/18	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	147	- -
10/19	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	132	- -
10/20	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1	- -

The most significant negative event for this autumn season was the loss of the former swift haven at Central Presbyterian Church, along Leavenworth street. It was a sad day when this chimney of former importance was indifferently capped by ignorant property owners.

Details associated with the specific counts have intentionally not been included to preclude any discovery of roost sites which might result in efforts to block chimney access for the swifts.

Survey results from autumn 2013 can be compared to findings from previous years, and which would further indicate roost preferences by these birds during the autumn at Omaha.

There was nothing done at Omaha this year which might be beneficial to providing the essentials for the roosting requirements of the Chimney Swift.

The decline in of places essential for these birds continues. It is slight every year, but overall and continually there are fewer havens.

Bugeater Chronicles of Autumn at River City

After getting many wonderful views of the well-known congregation of the Purple Martins at their midtown roost, the bird-watching focus changed direction this autumn. Starting on the first day of September, evening birding efforts were to determine where Chimney Swifts gather.

This was not the first sort of effort among the urban setting of eastern Omaha. Previous findings were very important in arriving at a locale where swifts could be expected, because the intent was getting survey results, so there was a particular focus on going to where swifts could be readily found. On some occasions when a prognostication was errant, so quick moves were needed to get positive results elsewhere.

It is an arduous task to document the occurrence of swifts at roosts, because only one site can be checked on an evening, in a large area where there are many known or potential suitable chimneys. Even during a month's period, many sites were determined, but there was no opportunity to revisit places or look elsewhere to derive a comprehensive perspective.

During this multiple weeks period, there was only one other report of a swift gathering, and that was at Mercer Woods in the Cathedral area. Another report from late August was provided for the Dundee area, at an apartment building. There were no other contributions that could add specifics to the knowledge of Omaha swifts during this autumn.

These findings available do indicate that the swifts roost at a wide variety of buildings throughout eastern Omaha, as indicated by their occurrence in various geographic districts. Very specific details are not given for the actual site because it there is a realization of the birds' presence, the result may be placing a cap on the chimney. Some of the primary sites surveyed were visited because of previous efforts that determined places where swifts occur in Omaha during the autumn.

Each of the counts are a result of individual counts, done with attention given to determining a particular number of birds entering a chimney, in a regular manner. No count is expressed based on a previous survey, since every survey was a distinct effort to provide a valid indication of the number of birds. Count methods were obviously similar.

Church Chimneys of East Omaha Church of Jesus Christ Whole Truth

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Harvest Community Church

• Creighton University Campus; 09/01/2012; 136 swifts into the chimney
• Gifford Park Neighborhood; 09/02/2012; 381 in a morning departure from the chimney of an unused apartment house
• Old Market; 09/02/2012; 120
• Florence; 09/03/2012; 240 at a chimney which where the plan is for its demolition
• Izard Industrial Zone; 09/04/2012; 75
• Hanscom Park Neighborhood; 09/05/2012; 197 at a church
• Drake Area; 09/06/2012; 222
• Downtown South; 09/07/2012; 68
• North Downtown; 09/08/2012; 11
• Blackstone District; 09/09/2012; 525 at a church which is recognized for having the largest count known in the Omaha area, based upon a visit in 2011
• Dundee at Dodge Street; 09/10/2012; 316 at an apartment house, easily recognized for its ongling importance
• Benson; 09/11/2012; 23 in the vicinity at several sites
• Drake Area; 09/13/2012; 325 about 24th and Leavenworth Streets
• Park East Neighborhood; 09/15/2012; 130 at an apartment house on a first visit to the place
• North 24th Street Corridor; 09/16/2012; 450 at a church
• Turner/Dewey Park; 09/17/2012; 75
• Miller Park Neighborhood; 09/18/2012; 56
• North 24th Street Corridor; 09/19/2012; 480 at a second church in the area north of Ames Street
• Downtown Omaha; 09/20/2012; 145
• Downtown South; 09/21/2012; 225
• Izard Industrial Zone; 09/22/2012; 335
• Midtown District; 09/26/2012; 365 at an apartment just south of Dodge Street, by the former Turner Park
• South Omaha; 09/27/2012; 65 in an area of many buildings where there is certainly more than one suitable chimney; an entire autumnal season could be spent within this area to get an accurate depiction of swift habits
• Downtown South; 09/28/2012; 260
• Drake Area; 09/29/2012; 225
• Blackstone District; 09/30/2012; 85
• Gifford Park Neighborhood; 10/01/2012; 68 during an evening watch at an apartment where a previous count occurred early in the morning
• Cathedral; 10/03/2012; 96, near 40th and Cuming Streets

Though many places were found to provide suitable roost habitat for the swifts, there are ongoing indications of an regular decline in chimneys suitable for swifts. Witnessed this year: two recently capped structures along the North 24th Street corridor, and the pending demolition of an important roost in the Florence neighborhood. These are just known instances, with other instances of this sort possible elsewhere.

In early October, the focus changed to giving attention to one chimney where swifts were congregating in large numbers on a nightly basis. Each of the following records are for an area designated as the Izard Industrial Zone in east-central Omaha, for record-keeping purposes.

• 10/04/2012; 660 swifts into two chimneys within one block of each other
• 10/05/2012; 630 into a single chimney, one of the two used the previous night
• 10/06/2012; 59

The change in numbers would seem to indicate that local birds went southward, and different swifts then arrived from the north.

• 10/07/2012; 1325
• 10/08/2012; 1325
• 10/09/2012; 1350
• 10/10/2012; 625
• 10/11/2012; 585
• 10/12/2012; 625
• 10/13/2012; 710
• 10/14/2012; 6 into the chimney
• 10/15/2012; 8, with only one entering the big chimney at a business building used so many nights by so many swifts. It was quite a dramatic change from previous times when many hundreds were prevalent.

On the evening of October 16th, the bird watching highlight was two Mourning Doves, appreciating some water recent rains. No Chimney Swifts were seen in the silent skies.

The extent of swift use of this single chimney is obvious, and indicates this structure as one of the most important habitats for swifts in the city, as indicated by repeated use, large number of swifts present, transitional use, etc.

There is a sad, long-term prospective for swifts in Omaha. Chimneys are being capped or razed. There is no community-based effort to document occurrence, determine important roost sites, educate buildings owners that the winged things using their chimneys are swifts not bats. Atop the list of detriments, there is no broad-based effort to indicate and protect the places so important to so many swifts during their season in Omaha, especially during the autumn migration.

Perhaps the efforts of the past weeks might raise some awareness, though there are no expectations in this regard.

Based upon a joy in seeing the swifts in the cerulean skies, and so many times appreciating their presence above, the bugeater chronicles are finished for the autumn season of 2012. There may have still been swifts about as there are records in earlier years for later dates; but it is a matter of searching a large expanse for few birds. So be it for these birds.

The skies are from one perspective of attention, apparently empty of an iconic species, until next spring, when the cycle starts once again. Activities of the bugeaters will then, once again be prominent and somewhat appreciated in the urban skies.

Bugeater Chronicles - Church on South 24th Street

Just before 7 p.m., a driven departure occurred for a Friday night foray for the next determination of the bugeater chronicles. The destination was a couple of big chimneys on south 24th Street that were worth a closer look.

A few swifts had already congregated upon arrival. They twittered and swirled, which is their typical routine on any autumn evening anywhere on the river city scene.

Their particular chimney of interest was uncertain. There was another seemingly suitable chimney next door. After watching and looking about the immediate vicinity, it became apparent that the Immaculate Conception Church place would be the focus of the evenings watch, with whatever sort of results. There was also a parking place readily available with an appropriate view.

To indicate the size, the structure was 5.5x5.5 bricks, and more than four stories in height. It is at the southwest corner of 24th and Bancroft Streets, towards the back of the place of worship.

Immaculate Conception Church, south 24th Street; 29 September 2012.

With a focus on swifts, other dynamics soon became obvious. This was a place of spying eyes.

There were watchers wondering why someone was parked in their lot, and looking intently at the building.

A priest in his holy garb was noticed giving an intent look at the swarming birds.

No one inquired about the reason for a there being a swift watcher in the parking lot.

The dynamics soon changed. A big, white Suburban, with an obvious confrontational purpose arrived and parked seven spaces westward in the parking lot. The manly driver was talking on a cell phone, seemingly continuously, because my attention was mostly focused elsewhere.

As nighttime descended, and that would be about 7:45 p.m., the swifts were done but the dynamic situation continued. Mr. SUV moved his vehicle to a spot which can be best be conveyed as the second parking spot to the west at the south side of the lot on the south side of the church.

Obviously there was a confrontation of non-understanding underway. It would have been easy to leave, and perhaps it might have been proper to leave. However, this was not going to be the scenario.

Feet away, Mr. Suburbanite never got off the phone.

During this extended interval, notes were made and revised pertinent to these times associated with the bugeater chronicles.

During a short interlude of observation, there was no interest nor effort to inquire about this purpose. The effort was completely done without having even stepped a foot on the church property, which from a directed perspective, did not have any signs forbidding trespassing.

A few minutes after 8 p.m., the "Suburbanite" with a 59 number on its plate -- corresponding to Sarpy County, departed from the parking lot.

The situation was nearly over, but continued in particular significance so that the scenario would continue to its own significance.

Upon my personal departure, an attempt was made to get someone to answer the door bell at the church. That did not happen.

After driving around the church, the reverend father was obvious on the north walk of the church.

It was time to talk.

Two men then had a significant chat about the evenings events.

What followed was a brief explanation about the basic, yet essential tenets of swiftology, and how the church chimney was obviously important to the migration of these birds. The commentary included direct points how the birds should be appreciated, how they eat bugs, and that they should be appreciate and celebrated. Also mentioned was the loss of other swift habitat because other churches in eastern Omaha have capped their chimneys without any regard as to their value as a haven for birds    .

The priest of the church was certainly relieved to have been given an explanation regarding the occurrence of some     unknown person in their parking lot. His concern was about thievery by break-ins in the neighborhood.

It was a time of sharing. We shook hands. A blessing was also given by the reverend Father. A suggestion was given that he do a sermon on how the church is a safe haven for the bugeaters, and how the chimney is a place appreciated by some of "God's creatures" as spoken to particularly express a religious theme.

Whether there will be any advantage for the chimney swifts is in no way apparent. At least there was a new realization.

Churches Block Chimneys Used by Swifts

Two churches in north Omaha have blocked chimneys, rendering them useless for chimney swifts.

Sacred Heart Church at 2218 Binney Street has blocked access to both of its chimneys.There are two chimneys on the west side of the church, and they are both now capped, apparently as a result of the building renovation done in 2010.

The silver of the vent placed atop the chimney is visible in the background of this picture.

Sacred Heard Church, Sunday morning, September 23, 2012.

Swift use of the chimneys was originally noted in the autumn of 2003.

Just a few blocks away at 2215 Grant Street, the Zion Baptist Church also capped its large chimney. Swift use was first noted here in the autumn of 2007.

Zion Baptist Church, Sunday morning, September 23, 2012.

This chimney at The Church of Jesus Christ Whole Truth, at 3105 North 24th Street, was recently used by hundreds of chimney swifts. It was a grand spectacle to watch them gather, then dart into their night's haven.

The Church of Jesus Christ Whole Truth, Sunday morning, September 23, 2012.