The Buzz · Winnipeg Morning Wire

Your St. James home might have new, musical roommates

Your new Winnipeg roommates are birds

You know, sometimes the news out of Winterpeg just makes you smile. Like, really, truly smile. And today, hey, it’s about a couple in St. James who just got themselves some very unexpected, and very musical, houseguests. We’re talking about chimney swifts, these little migratory birds, that have decided their 91-year-old home is the perfect place to raise a family. You gotta love that.

### Our Feathered Friends

So, here's the deal: these aren't just any birds, hey. Chimney swifts are a threatened species, and they love old brick chimneys. They use their saliva to glue their twig nests to the inside, which sounds a little wild, but that's how they do it. The cool part? They make this super distinctive "chittering" sound. Imagine just living your life, having a coffee in your kitchen near Assiniboine Park, and suddenly your whole house is an aviary concert hall.

* **Who:** A Winnipeg couple * **What:** Chimney swifts moved into their 91-year-old home's chimney * **Where:** A house in the St. James neighbourhood * **Why it matters:** These birds are a threatened species and unique neighbours

This isn't just a cute story about birds, either. It really highlights how connected we are to the natural world, even in the middle of our city. From the Forks to the North End, we share our space with so much life. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best neighbours are the ones you didn't even invite, especially when they're threatened and just looking for a safe place to land. It makes you think about all those old brick chimneys in the Exchange District, hey, what other secret life is happening in them?

Winterpeg. We built a city in the coldest place anyone has any business building a city — and it is genuinely wonderful. Good morning.

My kokum always said, "Keep your ears open." The folks on the morning show dive into these stories all week — catch it live at mornings.live.

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