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Steve et al.: Here's the skinny on mass roosts of Chimney Swift from "Birds of North America On-line" (available by subscription). "Some nonbreeding individuals remain in communal roosts throughout the summer, and individuals that do not renest after nest failures during the season often join these roosts ([refs given]). These flocks coming and going from large chimneys in summer are sometimes mistaken for a colony of many breeding pairs ([ref. given]). In fact, large flocks of nonbreeding birds (as many as 40 individuals) are known to roost in a chimney occupied by a single breeding pair ([ref. given]). The nonbreeding nature of these roosts was proposed early in American ornithology but has been little studied (Wilson 1812). Sex and age composition of these flocks is unknown." I knew something of this, but was surprised to note that a pair may nest in roost chimneys - I imagine this would be daunting in the Robie Tufts chimney in Wolfville.
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