Swifts

We had been hearing about this really great, nightly event that happens for only a few weeks in the summer. So, after realizing there were only a few nights left until it wouldn't happen again until next summer, we decided we needed to go check it out. It is definitely a Portland-type event - we loved it!! Basically, there are birds (called swifts) who nest in an old, large chimney apart of an elementary school. Each night when they come back to this unused chimney, they circle around it for over an hour until they all fit inside. While circling, there are larger predator birds who try to attack them. I'm not sure if it's for food or for fun, but either way it's pretty entertaining! There are literally hundreds of people spread out on blankets with picnic baskets, wine, binoculars, etc. who are cheering on the swifts. It's crazy what an event this has become! And like I said before, it's SO Portland.

The chimney where the swifts sleep at night

Not only are there picnicing families galore, there are also kids who sled down a nearby hill on cardboard boxes while waiting for the fun to begin. I feel a swifts Portlandia episode will be coming soon :)