While you can record observation notes any way you wish, we recommend you use this 2024 form.
Instructions for completing the paper and online forms are below (after the input fields).
Please submit online once for each chimney.
To change your report after you have submitted it, send an email to londonswifts@naturelondon.ca. We can change your data using a special editing tool.
Coding Rules and Tips from Birds Canada
Wind (Beaufort Scale)
| 0 | Calm, smoke rises vertically |
| 1 | Light air, smoke drifts |
| 2 | Light breeze, wind felt on face |
| 3 | Gentle breeze, small twigs move |
| 4 | Moderate breeze, small branches move |
| 5 | Fresh breeze, small trees sway |
| 6 | Strong breeze, large branches in motion |
| 7 | Near gale, whole trees moving |
Precipitation Options
None, Rain, Hail, Trace /Occasional Rain, Thunderstorms
Cloud Cover (%)
| 0 | Clear |
| 1 | 10% |
| 2 | 20% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 4 | 40% |
| 5 | 50% |
| 6 | 60% |
| 7 | 70% |
| 8 | 80% |
| 9 | 90% |
| 10 | Overcast |
| 11 | Fog |
Also adapted from Birds Canada
- Start the survey 30 min before sunset; end 30 min after sunset or until it is too dark to see.
- Survey a safe location in a public area.
- Under “Net Number of Swifts Entering Chimney”, record the estimated number of swifts in the chimney at the end of your watch.
- Individual birds may try a few “practice runs” before they enter the chimney. Do not count the birds that dive down but do not enter the chimney.
- Mentally “grab” groups of 5, 10, or 20 swifts as they enter the chimney. Counting large numbers of swifts can be challenging – do your best!
- During gaps in activity, tell your monitoring partner your latest subtotal (without taking your eyes off the chimney) and restart counting from zero.
- Have fun! Thank you for helping to monitor these special birds.
Recording Entries and Exits (Ins and Outs)
The times of entries and exits are written as h:mm, between 6:00 and 9:59.
7:32 1 in
7:33 1 out
Do not omit the colon in h:mm
Do not combine ins and outs. Use separate lines.
USE:
8:03 4 in
8:03 1 out
AND NOT:
8:03 4 in 1 out.
Punctuation characters such as “=”, “.”, “,” and “;” are optional. A computer program scans and reformats this field.
7:50 = 6 in.
8:15 1 in;
Add the number of entries for any minute when there were no exits. While monitoring, you may write down the numbers of each batch of swifts entering and then sort out the times later.
USE:
8:03 6 in
AND NOT:
8:03 1, 3, 2 in
OR
8:03 1+3+2 in
Please preserve your recording sheets in case there are any follow-up questions.