The Portland Swifts

The Portland Swifts go to roost at Chapman School every year in September before migrating to Central America and Venezuela.

[@lakeblu]

Thousands of Vaux Swifts gather in Portland every September before migrating to Central America and Venezuela. For the past 30 years, they've decided to roost at night in the Chapman School chimney. We saw this firsthand last night, and it is by far one of the coolest things in nature I have ever seen. I panicked about 15 minutes before they headed in to roost because my camera battery was dying, but we were able to make a mad dash to get a spare just in time to capture this video! --with Lucas Chapin

[@jsinghchawla]

Incredible! Looks like a scene from Harry Potter :)

[@nancychapin8023]

Amazing.

[@aghoriakki3858]

Nic febulas

[@kanya5629]

I go to this school. It’s really cool you see them do this at recess sometimes but in little squads. They’re really loud but it’s sad becuase crows hunt them during that time too.

[@fancyfree8599]

That os a helluva party they are having before an epic journey - that old chimney is beautiful and amazing too.

[@lucaswilson68]

Classic birders, someone saying “this is probably the least I’ve seen, I’ve seen double this amount…”

[@TrumpsGoofyAssMugshot]

Thats a rookie number of birds. I’ve seen double this amount

[@TinthiaClemant]

When I come back I’m coming as a Swift. 😊

[@PaulClearfire]

Where did they go before humans built tall chimneys for them?

[@al-ayoungentstailorfasalia651]

ماشاءاللہ ماشاءاللہ ماشاءاللہ سبحان اللّہ العظیم ۔۔ زبردست

[@paull7960]

Wow, that's amazing, love it!

[@MadelineHawthorne]

That is so cool!!!

[@djcammack]

Holy cow, that's the best video!

[@clockworkolive8533]

Mesmerizing marvel of nature, a living smoke, on reverse 😊

[@RedGallardo]

My life will never be the same 0_____0

[@veaudrycasaus]

So missed attending this this year, may 2021 allow us to congregate again!

[@arcadeii]

was there yesterday, it was great

[@TheRUHOORUHOO]

That is awesome.

[@picocluster]

Nice video.

[@shannonbowman5990]

❤

[@siddiqgamesyt3354]

A swiftnado! RUN

[@drdrewcollins1]

I just discovered Bend had its own colony! #KPOV

[@ituzzip]

Is that Mt St Helens in the background?

[@dalemonaco]

Yep!

[@gscortez]

Murmuration! I learned that on Puffin Rock!

[@Janash]

Would it be possible to use this fantastic video in an educational presentation?

[@steveb7600]

Nope, that is absolutely forbidden and we explicitly check if anyone is using this video for any educational purposes and arrest them on the spot.

[@Beautiful7]

Wow !!

[@OtygWalet]

OMG , big sweftlet here ?❤️

[@phishfearme2]

has anyone done a reasonable estimate of the number of swifts entering the chimney? must be in the many thousands

[@danielkilroy9337]

Hi, do you still have the raw rushes for this? I am looking to use a shot like this in a Feature Film. Can you let me know your contact details to explain more, thanks.

[@artsyocean]

Amazing capture of the "swiftnado"! Would it be possible to contact you about using this video for public outreach about urban biodiversity?

[@greglarry11]

Which Portland please?

[@andrewdunlap5130]

Oregon

[@MacroX1231]

Is it known of there are fatalities during such a massive action? Seems like at least one or two thing may go awry....

[@goldenfreddythefazzbear2940]

Birdnado!!

[@maureenoleksy2409]

❤❤❤❤

[@watetalbino]

wow mantap 🙏🤝👍👍👍

[@bmerk9]

Murmurations are so cool to see.

[@elh305]

Counter-clockwise for quite some time, then poof..!! 0:40 (Happens @ :45-46)

[@samsubonebrkh]

next

[@abbaseldor8814]

روعهههههههههههههههه جميل جدا جدا 💯💯👍🏻👍🏻

[@T_B1]

At first I thought this was a British starling murrmuration. Correct me if my spelling is wrong.

[@admagnificat]

"murmuration" 🙂👍

[@elementdame4949]

Birdbox

[@jamiegrieve5875]

I am guessing that this is in America. What kind of swifts are they vaux swifts did someone say

[@sampull3541]

Anybody here in 2024?

[@MrGeorgemario]

Why the clapping? It’s not like they’re putting a show for you, they do this to feed.

[@MacroX1231]

An appreciation of magnificence..

[@user-sk5iq2tb5u]

Нахуя?? А Хичкок знает??

[@user-br8gl8pp1q]

Вот я не пойму нахуя? Одной бомбой модно решить проблему сна из за этих птиц. Бля до 2015 года в моем городе их вообще не было!!! И не страдал никто, но в 15 открылись двери ада и оттуда вылетели миллионы ебучих стрижей.