Monroe Swift Night Out: Saturday, September 15th

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 15th, so you don't miss the return of the Vaux's Swifts to the Frank Wagner chimney in Monroe as they migrate south for the winter. Frank Wagner Elementary School on West Main Street is now known as the Wagner Center. Still the same address and the same welcoming chimney.

This is one of the largest congregations of Vaux's Swifts in North America. On some nights, thousands of these tiny birds squeeze themselves into a 31- foot tall, 4-foot square chimney in just minutes. As many as 26,000 swifts have been observed entering the chimney in one evening on September 7, 2010.

We hope to have a large turnout on September 15th this year.

The event runs from 5:00 pm until dusk. There will be booths with informative displays and nature-related items. One booth allows children and adults to touch actual birds "skins" and to compare the sizes of different species of birds.

"Freedom," the Bald Eagle, will also be there to greet people.

Docents will be present to answer questions from 6-8 pm, and Larry Switters will give a talk on the swifts around 6:30pm in the school auditorium. There will be food booths, including a spaghetti dinner booth, and other refreshments available.

So, bring a blanket or folding chair or just sit on the lawn to watch the swift's aerial performances. You'll be glad you did and will witness one of nature's amazing spectacles.

For more information or photos, contact Diann MacRae at tvulture@vei.net.

For the official swift cam to see the birds in the chimney, go to www.critterzoom.com and opt for Vaux Swift - Chimney Cam.