Impact of anthropogenic disturbance on nesting Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) including best practices for conservation

Authors

  • Timothy F. Poole Wildlife and Fisheries Branch, Government of Manitoba
  • Barbara E. Stewart Sila Consultants
  • Robert E.A. Stewart Sila Consultants

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v136i4.2963

Keywords:

disturbance, behaviour, Manitoba, habitat avoidance, breeding success, nest site, Chimney Swift, conservation

Abstract

The effect of anthropogenic disturbance on nesting Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) is poorly described. We review five case studies of anthropogenic disturbance around Chimney Swift nest sites caused by building construction, demolition, and maintenance activities in St. Adolphe, Manitoba. Chimney Swift behaviour and nest site activity did not appear to be overtly influenced by building demolition and construction conducted on adjacent buildings or lots within 13–30 m of nest chimneys. In contrast, Chimney Swift behaviour and breeding success appeared to be negatively affected by loud interior renovations and rooftop work conducted in or on the same building as the nest chimneys. The presence of humans on the roof of the nest building prevented Chimney Swifts from entering the nest site and reduced the overall rate of feeding young. Based on these observations, we provide conservation best practices for building construction and maintenance projects conducted within or on the same building as nest chimneys to help ensure protection of Chimney Swifts and their nesting habitat during the breeding season.

Author Biographies

Barbara E. Stewart, Sila Consultants

Barbara E Stewart is a biological consultant who contracted primarily with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Her career spanned 40 years and focussed on research/development of age estimate techniques and reproduction/energetic assessment of various arctic marine mammals (ringed/harp seals, walrus, beluga, narwhal). Barbara joined the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative in 2007, both as the lead monitor of nest sites located in St Adolphe, MB, and as a member of the MCSI Steering Committee; she remains active in both roles. Barbara is the Principal Investigator/Sole Proprietor of Sila Consultants which remains an actively registered Manitoba company.

 

Robert Stewart and Barbara Stewart have had a long-standing, collaborative research association that has culminated in many primary publications. Those publications include two primary publications regarding the breeding success of Chimney Swifts in St Adolphe, MB (2010, 2013) and numerous other primary publications/technical reports. References to the Chimney Swift literature can be found on the MCSI website (https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/resources-and-links/).

Robert E.A. Stewart, Sila Consultants

Dr Robert E A Stewart is a retired research scientist who worked for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. His career bridged 4 decades studying arctic marine mammals (primarily seals, walrus, and beluga) and focussed on reproductive energetics, age estimation, and population biology. In retirement, Robert serves on the COSEWIC Marine Mammal Specialist Subcommittee and acts as an arctic biological consultant. Robert continues as an active Chimney Swift monitor (started in the inaugural year of the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative, 2007) and MCSI Steering Committee Member (also joined in 2007).

Robert Stewart and Barbara Stewart have had a long-standing, collaborative research association that has culminated in many primary publications. Those publications include two primary publications regarding the breeding success of Chimney Swifts in St Adolphe, MB (2010, 2013) and numerous other primary publications/technical reports. References to the Chimney Swift literature can be found on the MCSI website (https://www.mbchimneyswift.com/resources-and-links/).

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Published

2023-06-21

Issue

Vol. 136 No. 4 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

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