>The Portland Audubon Society is conducting swift watches at Chapman and
>Dunaway elementary schools in Portland this September. One of the
>questions which came up at the volunteer meeting was the mvoement of the
>swifts (when they start disappearing) and other chimneys and other
>structures which hous or have housed swifts in the past or present. I'd
>appreciate it fi you could send any such information to me so that I can
>compile it and forward it to the group as part of our information to the
>public.
> Watches will start 7 September and last through the month. These
>will primarily be on Wed, Thurs, and Fri nights, though Chapman will be
>set up on the 16th and 17th as well.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Ray Korpi
***************************************

Tweets;

This is well worth the trip from Puget territory (or wherever) to see, if
you don't have similar phenomena occurring in your areas. I've gone to see
the swifts at Chapman school the past two years, and it's quite a sight!
Those of you who subscribe to OBOL are getting some notifications of this
event; for the sake of those who aren't, I'll summarize:

>Date: Wed, 23 Aug 1995 17:57:00 -0700 (PDT)
>
>For the past few years (at least), Vaux's swifts have gathered by the
>thousands at various chimneys around the Portland area for migration (I
>think), and this has been after school starts.

>I've only been aware of this activity for the past few years and it's really
>fun to observe them at sunset. Entire crowds gather on the lawn at Chapman
>school in Northwest Portland while thousands of birds funnel down into a huge
>circular chimney. When the last bird squeezes into the chimney, and there's
>no room for any more, the remaining hundred (?) fly off to find somewhere else
>to roost for the night. The crowd applauds. It's quite entertaining. Even
>for non-birders. And, the scene repeats itself night after night.
>
>Carol Ledford
>Kaiser Permanente, Portland
>ledfordca at kpnwoa.mts.kpnw.org

The numbers have actually been estimated to be in the 10K
order-of-magnitude ballpark.

The swifts have been sighted already -- Ray Korpi reported seeing 200-300
in the air last Monday evening (8/21) at about 7:35 (at Chapman School). I
have yet to get over there - I hope to this evening - but I'll report on
what I see if anyone's interested.

Directions to Chapman School:

>From I-5, take the I-405 exit as you approach downtown Portland. Stay in
the right lane, cross the Fremont bridge (freeway bridge) and take the
Vaughn St. exit (1st exit). Proceed straight ahead through the light, and
turn left on 25th (if you miss 25th, that's OK, turn left on 26th and
continue - 26th will get you there just as well). Proceed for 4 blocks
until Raleigh St., at which point you'll see Chapman School and its tall
chimney off to your right. If you're on 25th you may gain access by turning
right on either Raleigh, or on Pettigrove (two more blocks). If you're on
26th, turn right on Raleigh. Park where you can find space in the
(residential) neighborhood.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone about similar occurrences
elsewhere.

Cheers,

David Lyles <davidl at hevanet.com>
Portland OR