Portland Part 2: Portland Swift Chimney

The next installment in our Road Warrior Portland series is about a tradition that some people in the US may find odd, but has been a tradition of residents for years.

Vaux's Swifts at Chapman Elementary

Vaux's Swifts circling around Chapman Elementary

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings for use by humans. You don't see as many structures designed for deer, bears, or other wildlife because there is not a market for it (unless you work for a zoo, a parks department, or ARC). While it is always important to consider what impact a new building will have on all of the inhabitants of an area, people's needs will always come first because we are the ones with the money. While buildings may be designed for human use, that has never stopped animals from taking up residence.

When Ron's friend was driving him to the event, he had no idea what was going to happen. When they got to the school, it seemed like a concert or outdoor theater event was going to take place, but that didn't happen. Maybe it's because of a lack of professional sports teams, or maybe it's just because of the distinct personalities that make up Portland, but most major cities wouldn't draw a crowd to watch a gathering of birds take shelter in a local elementary school.

In a tradition that only Portland residents could fully comprehend, around the month of September, thousands of people gather on the hill of Chapman Elementary School to watch anywhere between 6,000-15,000 Vaux's Swifts fly around the chimney and nest inside before they migrate south for the colder months. In traditional sustainable Portland fashion, the school finds alternative ways to power the school so heat and exhaust do not leave the chimney and harm the birds.

Attendees sit on a hill and enjoy somewhat of a picnic atmosphere as they watch the birds circle around and eventually roost in the cozy confines of the chimney. Tempers of the crowd usually don't flair except at certain points when the event becomes a true spectator sport as some of the  Swifts become dinner for stalking hawks and other birds of prey. You can clearly tell that the swifts are on the home team as the crowd jeers whenever a larger bird scoops up a tiny Swift.