Chapman Swifts, Portland, OR
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Queens Blessing
N 45° 31.957 W 122° 42.347
10T E 522972 N 5042162
Each September, tens of thousands of Vaux Swifts return to this same location.
Waymark Code: WMGT18
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 04/06/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Tharandter
Views: 11

Many locals plan to spend at least one late summer evening on the lawn of Chapman Elementary School, for a chance to see tens of thousands of Vaux Swifts gather from the air all over the city, swirl in a living, black vortex made entirely of flying swifts, and funnel into the chimney, where they will clutch the wall and rest through the night, to emerge the next morning to spread out across the city to search for food again. It is part of their yearly migration.

This sign provides infomation about the swifts, the chimney, and the tradition of gathering to watch the show they put on.

The return of the swifts to Chapman school is included in by the popular "Lonely Planet" tourism books and website (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/pacific-northwest/portland/sights/other) as well Huffington Post (http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/travel/portlands-chapman-swifts-nesting-problems-517286525) and the Audobon Society (http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch).
The "Official Tourism" URL link to the attraction: [Web Link]

The attraction’s own URL: [Web Link]

Hours of Operation:
Daybreak and twilight.


Admission Prices:
Free.


Approximate amount of time needed to fully experience the attraction: Up to 1 hour

Transportation options to the attraction: Personal Vehicle or Public Transportation

Visit Instructions:

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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Chalupa_Dad visited Chapman Swifts, Portland, OR 02/05/2022 Chalupa_Dad visited it
Mrs&Mrs pdx visited Chapman Swifts, Portland, OR 09/01/2021 Mrs&Mrs pdx visited it
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ornith visited Chapman Swifts, Portland, OR 04/13/2013 ornith visited it
Queens Blessing visited Chapman Swifts, Portland, OR 04/13/2013 Queens Blessing visited it

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