One of Portland’s most beloved late-summer traditions is back: Vaux’s swifts have been spotted swirling into a church chimney in the city, drawing crowds of nature lovers eager to witness the spectacular annual spectacle, according to KATU.

Each year as summer winds down, thousands of the small, acrobatic birds gather at dusk and funnel in tight, swirling clouds into a single chimney roost before continuing their southward migration. The sight — a living, spinning vortex of birds descending into a narrow brick stack — has become a cherished Portland ritual that brings neighbors, families, and visitors together on the surrounding lawns to watch in shared wonder.

The church chimney serves as a critical stopover point for the swifts, which rely on traditional masonry structures for communal roosting during migration. Community members and birding enthusiasts have long celebrated the event as a reminder of the natural world thriving right in the heart of the city.

The annual return of the Vaux’s swifts is a free, family-friendly event that requires nothing more than showing up at dusk with a blanket and a sense of awe. For many Portlanders, it marks one of the most magical moments of the year — a nightly gathering of community and nature that costs nothing and delivers something genuinely extraordinary.

If you haven’t yet made it out to see the swifts this season, there’s still time. Head to the chimney site around sunset, find a good spot on the grass, and look up — Portland’s skies are putting on a show.

Sources: KATU