Chimney Swifts Focus of Flanders Program

The Chimney Swift, a unique insect eating bird that has adapted itself to nest and roost in man-made structures like chimneys, is a bird in decline. Living most of its life airborne, the swift clings to vertical structures. They hunt for insects over fields, farms, lakes, and rivers and breed in Connecticut during the summers.

On Thursday, April 23 at 7PM, Flanders will be hosting Shannon Kearney-McGee of the Connecticut DEEP as she shares the nature of this slender, tiny bird, possible reasons for its decline, and explains how to get involved in chimney swift conservation.

Shannon’s primary focus at the agency is researching and monitoring bird species that have the greatest need for conservation efforts. She has initiated bird monitoring and research programs for birds such as seabirds, rails, black terns, grassland birds, woodland raptors, whip-poor-wills, chimney swifts, nighthawks, and shrubland birds for almost 20 years.

The program is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. The group will meet at the Flanders Studio which is located at the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads in Woodbury. Those interested can register online at www.flandersnaturecenter.org.or call (203) 263-3711 Ext. 10 for more information.