This evening proved to be a perfect end to a delightful weekend. With sunset about 8:15pm tonight, I arrived about 7:45 to Sells Middle School in Dublin Ohio. I drove behind the school at the flashing light off 161/33E and parked behind the school in front of the tennis courts facing the back of the school. 7:58pm the first 15 to 20 swifts arrived 8:02pm several of the now 40 birds began dipping at the chimney 8:04 clockwise flight of about 50 birds 8:05 counter clockwise flight 8:08 the first bird went in 8:15 about 40 birds are now in the chimney 8:16 over 100 entered 8:17 heard and saw the Dublin nighthawk flying over the Scioto River area near 161 8:20 each minute somewhere between 75 to 100 birds are entering the tall chimney Between 8:30 and 8:34 when the last bird entered nearly between 550 and 600 birds appeared sucked into the chimney Best estimations were between 1275 to 1300 birds were spending the night in the 1919 school building chimney. Sept 11, 12 and 13 are the Sept count dates for Chimney Swift (Driftwood) data collection. I plan to arrive at the Sells Middle School site by 7pm to count swifts for Driftwood. If you are in the area plan to join me. Thanks, Darlene Sillick Powell, Ohio <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1515369&r=1514028&t=949361437&l=1&d=91149571&u=h ttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eChimneySwifts%2eorg&g=0&f=-1> wI plan to ararrivww.ChimneySwifts.org It is time for A Swift Night Out September 2009! Greetings! For the nineth year, the Driftwood Wildlife Association will be hosting: "A SWIFT NIGHT OUT" As summer draws to a close and the swifts have finished raising their young, these fascinating aerial acrobats begin to congregate in communal roosts prior to their migration in the fall. Some roosts may consist of an extended family group of a half a dozen birds or so, but the larger sites can host hundreds or even thousands of swifts! We encourage you to involve your local Audubon chapters, bird clubs, scout groups and neighbors in this exhilarating spectacle. Here is how it works: Keep your eyes to the skies at dusk and watch for areas where swifts are feeding. Look for a tall shaft, chimney or similar structure to locate where Chimney Swifts (central to east coast) or Vaux's Swift (Pacific coast) go to roost in your area. On one night over the weekend of September 11, 12, 13 observe the roost starting about 30 minutes before dusk and estimate the number of swifts that enter. When you have your number, contact us with your results. That's all there is to it! Please pass this message along to any listserve or other groups that you think might be interested. We look forward to hearing from you! Best Regards, Paul and Georgean Kyle Driftwood Wildlife Association 1206 West 38th, Suite 1105 Austin, TX 78705 Visit us at: <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1515369&r=1514028&t=949361437&l=1&d=91149571&u=h ttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eChimneySwifts%2eorg&g=0&f=-1> www.ChimneySwifts.org http://images.cmpgnr.com/948147214/para1236818329229.jpg The latest issue (Volume 14) of our annual newsletter "Chaetura" is now on line. There were many new towers added last year, so go to the "Newsletter" link on our home page and check it out. Your tower may be featured! <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1515369&r=1514028&t=949361437&l=1&d=91149571&u=h ttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eChimneySwifts%2eorg&g=0&f=-1> www.ChimneySwifts.org <http://cmpgnr.com/r.html?c=1515369&r=1514028&t=949361437&l=1&d=91149571&u=h ttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eChimneySwifts%2eorg&g=0&f=-1> www.ChimneySwifts.org ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]