Two little birds have caused delays in the construction of a new nursing building at Acadia University and could ultimately affect the opening of the facility.
The University Club on Westwood Avenue in Wolfville, N.S., was expected to be demolished in January to make way for the new building, with construction set to begin last month.
But nature has thrown a wrench into the works.
Last summer, Birds Canada spotted two chimney swifts entering one of the University Club’s chimneys.
Chimney swifts are a species at risk, and destruction of their habitat is prohibited without a permit.
The university made an application to Environment and Climate Change Canada for a permit to destroy the chimney as part of the demolition, and after a 90-day review period, ECCC issued the permit.
The chimney was capped, and the building is now scheduled to be demolished in mid-June. Construction of the new nursing building is now slated to begin in September.
A university spokesperson says the delays mean the opening of the new building, originally scheduled for fall 2026, may be delayed.
The province is investing $13.9 million to help build the facility, which will include a dry lab, clinic teaching spaces and simulation rooms.
Acadia’s nursing program, which began in September 2023 with 21 students, had 63 students in the 2024-25 academic year, and expects another 63 to begin this fall.
The chimney at the University Club is not the only one on campus frequented by swifts.
University Hall also has an active chimney swift roost. As part of the ECCC permit, that site must be monitored for three years.
Samuel Jean, Acadia’s conservation and education technician, will be leading the monitoring and conservation efforts.
The spring monitoring will take place between May 17 and June 2, and more monitoring will be done in the summer and autumn.
Jean says crews will sit outside the chimney about an hour before sunset, being very still and quiet, and try to count the number of birds that fly into the chimney. Cameras will also be used to record the birds flying into the chimney so a more accurate count can be completed by watching the video.
The highest number of swifts recorded at the site was 810 in 2021.
“It’s super impressive to watch,” Jean says. “A few hours before they go in, they gather and they circle and circle and circle. And then at some point they start going in in little groups. It’s a nice phenomenon to witness.”
Chimney swifts are unable to perch on flat surfaces, instead requiring a vertical surface. They often roost in hollow trees, chimneys, wells and barns.
Jean says he’s happy to help monitor the birds on campus.
“They’re nice to have around. They’re good neighbours,” he says.
“Biodiversity as a whole is an important thing to protect. We share this land with so many other creatures and I think we all deserve to be here. So it’s important to find ways that we can live together and share that space.”
