Every fall Portlanders are in for a treat as they gather at one local elementary school for this aviary event that happens like clockwork. Since the 1980s, vaux swifts have returned to the same chimney to roost for the night before as they ready for their long migration to Central America and Venezuela. This nightly show is simply amazing, and if you haven’t caught it yet, this is your year to experience the swifts.

Crowds gather nightly throughout September at Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland.
Mitchell Friedman / Flickr
The center of the attention is this chimney, the location that all the birds will enter before the darkness falls.
Jack Satta / Flickr
The crowds will be able to hear and see the amazing flock of birds swirling in the sky above.
K. Kendall / Flickr
On most nights throughout the month, there will be volunteers from the Portland Audubon Society present to share information with visitors.
Robert Britt / Flickr
While there are a lot birds to watch, there are also a lot of viewers. Up to 2,000 people gather nightly for this spectacular show.
K Kendall / Flickr

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This is one of the largest known groups of migrating swifts in the world, and you are not going to want to miss it!
John / Flickr
The tiny birds, just 4 to 5 inches in length, are amazing aerialists and are a sight to behold, especially in these numbers. Counts in 2016 found over 7,000 birds in the sky on the busiest of nights.
Jim Choate / Flickr
When they finally make it into the chimney for the night, the crowds applaud for their amazing performance.
K. Kendall / Flickr
Because the area is so crowded, parking can be difficult. Montgomery Park and SELCO Community Credit Union offers free off-street parking several blocks away. Dogs must be on leash, and it is always necessary to pick up after yourself to avoid leaving a mess on the school or park grounds.
This amazing event takes place from the end of August through September. If you want a truly memorable Portland night, head to the school for a picnic about 1 hour before sunset and enjoy the show.
K. Kendall / Flickr

If you want more proof of how amazing this event is, check out the video below.

For more information on this event, check out the Portland Audubon Society’s Swift Watch.

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