Vaux’s Swifts at Chapman School
Director, Urban Greenspaces Institute
If you have not yet experienced the Chapman Elementary Swift Watch phenomenon you must! Last night I visited the site, NW 26th and NW Pettygrove. There were easily 1,000 people in attendance to watch as easily 10 times that number of Vaux’s Swifts gathered above the Chapman Elementary School chimney prior to circling and diving into the smokestack where the roost each night until heading south to southern Mexico, central America and northern Venezuela later this month.
This image (photo by Mike Houck – AF) is the swifts as they dive into the chimney, in cohorts of 20-30 at a time before they swirl away and re-emerge from the darkening sky to repeat the process until all their thousands are sequestered for the night. At the right side of the photo you’ll note a stooping Peregrine Falcon that, along with Cooper’s Hawks and the occasional Merlin falcon, have discovered the roost is a sure stop for a quick meal.
Portland Audubon Society has an information table and kiosk for those with questions. The crowd brings picnic dinners, wine and the kids to enjoy one of Portland’s most spectacular nature outings. Go to Swift Watch for more information.
Mike Houck, Director
Urban Greenspaces Institute
PO Box 6903
Portland, OR 97228
Phone: 503-319-7155
Fax: 503-725-3166
mikehouck@urbangreenspaces.org
www.urbangreenspaces.org
“In Livable Cities is Preservation of the Wild”