Vaux's swifts, a cherished autumn spectacle in Portland, are experiencing a dramatic decline in numbers at their usual roosting site, Chapman Elementary. Traditionally, thousands of these birds would gather at the chimney each night, but this year, counts have dwindled to just a few hundred. The Bird Alliance of Oregon has reported a shocking drop, with only 80 birds counted on September 15 compared to an average of 5,000 in previous years. Joe Liebezeit, assistant director of the Bird Alliance, expressed concern over this unusual trend, noting that the data from the last 15 years has never shown such low counts. Factors such as habitat loss and the discovery of alternative roosting sites may explain the shift in behavior.

Videos on social media have shown swifts congregating at other chimneys in the Portland area, suggesting they may have found new homes. The decline raises questions about the environmental changes affecting these migratory birds and their future patterns. As the situation unfolds, the Bird Alliance continues to monitor the swifts closely.