Hundreds of birds making local chimney their hotel
Video by Alan Eagy
Alan Eagy, a self-described bird guy, said he noticed something unusual a few days ago.
Vaux’s swifts were circling the chimney at Vogt Hall at 307 W. Fourth Street, The Dalles.
The migratory birds were flying in big, well, swift circles about the chimney of the stucco building near 7:45 p.m.
So he continued to watch realizing that he might be in for a show.
He and his wife Bev were not disappointed.
More than 100 of the little birds eventually all went down the chimney to grasp the mortar between the bricks and got to bed for the night hanging like bats.
Eagy told some friends about it, and a small crowd gathered on Thursday evening, Sept. 2 to watch the birds dance around the chimney until committing to get some shut-eye. Eagy was able to capture their circling descent via his phone.
Eagy said the birds would likely be around for several days before migrating onward. He said the magic typically occurs between 7:45 and 8 p.m.
Read more about Vaux’s swift at Portland Audubon.
