Vaux Swifts

For the last fifteen years between 20-40,000 Vaux Swifts and been roosting in the chimney at Chapman School in NW Portland.  Chapman School is located at NW Pettygrove and 25th in Portland.

During the month of September you can view the show every night at about dusk  (approx. 6:30 p.m.) as thousands of birds descend into the school’s chimney to spend the night.

Hundreds of people come to watch the show every night.  Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner if you like and enjoy the show!

Bring along a piece of cardboard and the kids can entertain themselves by sliding down the hill behind the school.

A pair of binoculars come in handy too!

It is an amazing show each night at dusk as the birds circle around the chimney.  Their circling gradually picks up speed and then Swoosh – into the chimney they go!

The story of the Swifts at Chapman School is endearing. 

When the Swifts first arrived fifteen years ago the school children and teachers at Chapman School loved it. They even adopted the Vaux Swift as their school mascot. As the Fall weather arrived and temperatures turned colder the students and staff would wear coats to class so that the furnace did not need to be turned on until the Swifts had left.

Eventually the school, along with the Audubon Society, raised enough money so that that a gas heating system could be added to the school and the chimney left for the Swifts.

For more information about Vaux Swifts you can visit the Audubon Society.

There is still plenty of time to see the show so head on down  – it’s free!