As I’ve said before, my intent was to start checking adventures off my list on my actual birthday. My initial plan was to run/ hike the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park, all 30 miles of it, on my birthday. Unfortunately, due to a very awkward leg-shaving injury that particular adventure had to be postponed, boo! After wallowing in self-pity for a few days, well not really…more like general procrastination, I knew I needed to come up with an alternative event to do on my birthday. Looking on the internets for inspiration, I came across the Swift viewing as a “must do”. A-ha! So I threw out an invite to my friends to join me for this nature spectacle. For those of you that are thinking, “really? Bird watching as an exciting birthday event?!” It is actually a pretty cool event. The Vaux Swifts gather in certain areas to get ready for their mass migration to South America and Venezuela. Thousands of them return each year to roost in the Chapman Elementary School chimney as they get ready for their long flight. From late August to late September, they return each evening right around sunset to gather into swarms and dive as a whole unit into the chimney. Prior to actually flying into the chimney, they spend several minutes doing what I can only call an amazing and beautifully orchestrated air ballet together. Then at some unseen signal, they form what looks like a black tornado to dive into their roost for the night. To add to the excitement, there is a hawk that has realized he can get an easy dinner by just hanging out at the top of the chimney. As we sip on our contraband wine (no alcohol allowed on school grounds), we cheer when the swifts manage to avoid becoming an easy meal! The weather was a bit iffy on the night of my birthday, and we did have a few sprinkles…but when you live in Portland, you find out quick you’re not made of sugar and won’t melt in the rain! Unfortunately, the Swifts were not as large in numbers as they usually are, possibly due to an earlier migration. But it was still really cool to watch and I will make it a point to go again next year! On the plus side, I had two different friends make me a cake and cupcakes and a great turn out to watch the birds with me. I was surrounded by lots of love, just how a birthday should be!
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