- Chapman Swifts
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Vaux's Swifts entering the Chapman School chimney to roost for the night
Chapman Swifts are a flock of Vaux's Swift, a small migratory bird, that roost in the chimney at Chapman Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, U.S. It is North America's largest concentration of Vaux's Swift.[1]
Every evening from mid-August to mid-October, thousands of Swifts gather in the sky over the school shortly before sunset. An estimated count of 1,700 to 35,000 of the birds at varying times has been reported. Shortly after sunset, over a period of 10 to 30 minutes, they fly into the chimney to roost on the c. 1925 brick chimney's interior walls until they depart at sunrise.[2] The school is on the birds' migratory route to wintering in southern Central America and Venezuela.[3]
The birds began roosting here in the early 1980s in response to decreased natural habitat—old growth Douglas-fir and forest snags.[4] Vaux's Swift prefer roosting in a standing hollowed out snag.[3]
To provide a haven for the flock, the school did not use the heating system during the weeks of roosting. Students and teachers wore sweaters and jackets, especially toward the end of September when classroom temperatures could be 50 to 60 °F (10 to 16 °C).[5] Around 2003, the Audubon Society of Portland, school fundraisers, and corporate sponsors donated $60,000[4] to $75,000[6] for an alternate school heating system which is independent of the brick chimney. The chimney is maintained for the birds.
The flock attracts several predators, such as Peregrine Falcon and Cooper's Hawk, as well as hundreds to thousands[7][2] of human spectators.[8]
References
- ^ Jessica Martin (producer) (2000). Oregon Field Guide: Vaux Swift (Television production). Oregon Public Broadcasting. Event occurs at 0:02:12 – 0:02:18. http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1380. Retrieved 2011-03-30. "Because here, not just a few, but up to 30,000 birds swoop down like a tornado at dusk, funneling into this giant chimney. It's the largest concentration of Vaux's Swifts in North America and a birdwatcher's paradise."
- ^ a b "FAQs". Audubon Society of Portland. August, 2010. http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swift-watch. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ^ a b "Living with Vaux's Swifts". Audubon Society of Portland. http://audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife/brochures/vauxsswift. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ^ a b "Swifts Leave Chapman School Chimney in October". Hollywood Pet Hospital. http://www.hollywoodpet.com/swifts.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ^ OFG: Vaux Swift, 0:05:25
- ^ "Vaux’s Swift". Backyard Bird Shop. http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/vauxs_swift1/. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
- ^ "On The Wing: The Documentary Film about Portland's Chapman Swifts—Synopsis". http://swiftsmovie.com/synopsis.html. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ^ OFG: Vaux Swift, 0:04:30
Coordinates: 45°32′00″N 122°42′21″W / 45.533213°N 122.705913°W
Categories:- Important Bird Areas of the United States
- Visitor attractions in Portland, Oregon
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