Swifts return to Chapman Elementary, roosting in larger numbers and earlier than usual

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The annual bird migration stop draws crowds of people to the Northwest Portland site throughout September.

PORTLAND, Oregon — The Vaux’s swifts have returned to Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland. 

Throughout September, the little birds will roost in the school’s decommissioned smokestack chimney, a sleeping spot on their migration route to Central America. The birds begin circling over the chimney about an hour before sunset each night, then slowly descend in a tornado-shaped spiral. The spectacle draws large crowds of people each night.

“I think it’s a quintessential Portland activity,” said Sabrina Sheehy. “Combining nature with community.”

Each night, volunteers with Portland

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