3 October 2022
Migrating chimney swifts roost for the night in local chimneys and wake up when the sky glows before dawn. This morning the sun had not yet cleared the horizon when the swifts flew out of Cathedral Mansions chimney and circled the chimney over and over again, testing the air. It was 41 degrees F.
Though the sky is clear this morning and the wind is from the north, the swifts (probably) decided there were not enough bugs flying so there would be nothing to eat on their way south. They would be cold and hungry if they left now but the bugs will come out as the day warms up. They decided to wait for that to happen.
So they all went back to bed. Here’s a photo of them pouring back into the chimney. (They are just dots in my cellphone photo.)
(photos from Wikimedia Commons and by Kate St. John)
My chimney swifts always depart the second week of August. (Irwin area) This has been the pattern for years.
Looks like they “migrate” to Oakland to join a larger group awaiting the true migration.