During fall migration one of the highlights for birders is the large groups of Vaux’s swifts that communally roost in chimneys along their way. This fantastic show that the birds put on may consist of a few birds or many thousands. Agate Hall at the University of Oregon and Chapman School in Portland are two of the largest known sites in the world housing thousands of swifts and drawing many onlookers. Vaux’s swifts are linked with old growth forest and need large hollow snags for nesting. The species is likely declining and migration is a great time to survey the population.
The ECAS has teamed up with volunteers around the state and Northwest to count these large groups of Vaux’s swifts since 2008. The goals of this project are to estimate the population during migration, to identify major roosts used by the swifts throughout the state, and to educate and involve citizens in this effort. If you have information about swift roosts in Oregon or are interested in volunteering, please contact Nicole Nielsen-Pincus.
Useful links for more information:
Portland Audubon: http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatchv