A Portland Tradition at Dusk
Each September, Portland residents look to the skies above Chapman Elementary School, waiting for the return of vaux’s swifts. For more than 30 years, these small migratory birds have transformed the school’s old brick chimney into a spectacular nightly roost during their southward journey.
At dusk, thousands of swifts spiral overhead before funneling into the chimney in synchronized formation. The unique display has long been a community event, drawing crowds of birdwatchers, families, and curious visitors eager to witness the natural spectacle.
Declining Numbers Raise Concerns
While the Chapman Elementary roost has become iconic, the number of swifts gathering there dropped sharply last year. The Bird Alliance of Oregon reported that the birds appeared to shift to other chimneys across Portland, especially on the city’s east side.
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Why the birds abandoned Chapman in large numbers remains unclear. Changing weather patterns, shifts in food supply, or disturbances at the roost may have played a role. The drop at Chapman, however, was matched by surges elsewhere, suggesting the swifts were redistributing rather than disappearing.
Volunteers Ready for Swift Season
As of Wednesday, no swifts had yet arrived at Chapman Elementary. Still, volunteers with the Bird Alliance are preparing to monitor multiple sites across the city in anticipation of their return.
Joe Liebezeit, Statewide Conservation Director for the Bird Alliance of Oregon, explained:
“Last year, we did see that the birds that were roosting at Chapman went to other chimneys scattered around. We noticed that when those numbers dropped off, they rose at other sites – so we think they were moving, and we may see that again.”
Teams of trained volunteers will collect data on swift numbers, locations, and behavior to help scientists better understand the birds’ migration patterns.
How the Public Can Help
The Bird Alliance is asking residents to keep an eye out for chimneys with unusually large gatherings of swifts. If you notice hundreds of birds circling and funneling into a structure around dusk, the organization encourages you to report the sighting.
They have set up a dedicated webpage with details on vaux’s swift migration, ways to identify the birds, and opportunities to assist in conservation efforts. By sharing sightings, community members play a key role in tracking the birds’ shifting roosting habits.
Protecting a Seasonal Wonder
For Portland, the swifts are more than just migrating birds—they represent a seasonal tradition that connects people with the natural world in the heart of the city. The Chapman chimney gathering has inspired festivals, outdoor education programs, and countless evenings of shared wonder.
As conservationists continue to study why the birds’ numbers fluctuate from year to year, residents can support their efforts by reporting sightings and appreciating this fleeting event while it lasts.
With September underway, the city once again waits for the familiar whirl of wings against the twilight sky, hopeful that Chapman Elementary’s chimney will host another season of one of Portland’s most cherished wildlife spectacles.
