[NatureNS] Barrington

Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 10:05:55 -0400
From: "Laviolette, Lance (EXP)" <lance.laviolette@lmco.com>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Thread-Topic: [NatureNS] Barrington
Thread-Index: Acnf+eLRg7ZF/sSsTEOxYHEQPj9T3AAaTH3w
References: <3484d1c80905281345u5e5777b5p759b6330438220b7@mail.gmail.com> <1E6CEAEDC6094E00B109E9AFF038970F@rolanddbee9aaa>
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Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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--Boundary_(ID_ycLCAzbHOfhU0135UphHQA)
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Roland wrote:
=20
"Mention has been made of the decline in the number of chimney swifts in =
recent years. I wonder if this has anything to do with fewer large =
chimneys being built these days, and the destruction of many of the old =
ones. I also wonder how the swallows would compare in numbers. I can =
remember that seventy years ago it was not unusual to see flocks of =
fifty or more swallows on the electric light wires, something that is =
lacking now. I also remenber when I came to Barrington 45 years ago we =
always had a flock of sparrows below the dridge on the river. I haven't =
seen a swallow this year."
=20
The entire group of birds that catch insects while flying is declining =
in number in Canada. Your observation of the disappearance of swallows =
from power lines has been seen across eastern Canada. Where once tens =
and hundreds of swallows were seen gathering on lines throughout rural =
areas now there are often none or, at most, single families of birds. =
The current theory for the decline is simple, not enough insects around =
to feed the young. Ironically the species that many people in North =
America have looked down on for a long time, the House Sparrow, is =
becoming the poster 'child' illustrating the problem. While still =
locally common, House Sparrow numbers have greatly declined even over =
the last five years.=20
=20
Regarding Chimney Swifts, the overall number of large chimneys may be =
down but I believe it is the change in the construction of regular =
chimneys which is having the biggest impact. Capping a chimney or =
inserting liners removes a chimney as a possible nesting site (while =
they roost communally, Chimney Swifts are solitary nesters, one to a =
chimney). Away from humans this type of nesting site would have been =
provided by hollow trees. I'm sure Jim Wolford can fill in the gaps in =
the Chimney Swift's life history in NS that I've not filled in.
=20
All the best,
=20
Lance
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=20
Lance Laviolette=20
Glen Robertson, Ontario=20
lance.laviolette@lmco.com <mailto:lance.laviolette@lmco.com> =20
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=20
P Before printing think about your responsibility & commitment to the =
Environment!=20
P Merci de penser =E0 l'environnement avant d'imprimer ce courriel!=20

=20
=20
=20
=20

--Boundary_(ID_ycLCAzbHOfhU0135UphHQA)
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<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial>Roland wrote:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial><FONT color=3D#0000ff><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D217514013-29052009>"</SPAN>Mention has been made of the decline =
in the=20
number of chimney swifts in recent years. I wonder if this has anything =
to do=20
with fewer large chimneys being built these days, and the destruction of =
many of=20
the old ones. I also wonder how the swallows would compare in =
numbers.&nbsp;I=20
can remember that seventy years ago it was not unusual to see flocks of =
fifty or=20
more swallows on the electric light wires, something that is lacking =
now. I also=20
remenber when I came to Barrington 45 years ago we always had a flock of =

sparrows below the dridge on the river. I haven't seen a swallow this =
year.<SPAN=20
class=3D217514013-29052009>"</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV></SPAN></DI=
V>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial>The entire group of birds that catch insects while =
flying is=20
declining in number in Canada.&nbsp;Your observation of the =
disappearance of=20
swallows from power lines has been seen across eastern Canada. Where =
once tens=20
and hundreds of swallows were seen gathering on lines throughout rural =
areas now=20
there are often none or, at most, single families of birds. The current =
theory=20
for the decline is simple, not enough insects around to feed the young.=20
Ironically the species that many people in North America have looked =
down on for=20
a long time, the House Sparrow, is becoming the poster 'child' =
illustrating the=20
problem. While still locally common, House Sparrow numbers have greatly =
declined=20
even over the last five years. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial>Regarding Chimney Swifts, the overall number of =
large chimneys=20
may be down but I believe it is the change in the construction of =
regular=20
chimneys which is having the biggest impact. Capping a chimney or =
inserting=20
liners removes a chimney as a possible nesting site (while they roost=20
communally, Chimney Swifts are solitary nesters, one to a chimney). Away =
from=20
humans this type of nesting site would have been provided by hollow =
trees. I'm=20
sure Jim Wolford can fill in the gaps in&nbsp;the Chimney Swift's life =
history=20
in NS that I've not filled in.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=3D217514013-29052009><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2 face=3DArial>All the best,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><SPAN class=