Thousands of Vaux's Swifts Roost in Eugene, OR

Thousands of Vaux's Swifts return to their nighttime roost in a chimney at 17th and Agate in Eugene, Oregon on August 30, 2009. Swifts are small birds which fly like swallows but are more closely related to hummingbirds. The giant flock of swifts swirl in intricate patterns before descending en masse into the chimney. The birds are gathering to begin their autumnal migration south. The music is a public domain recording of G.F. Telemann's Trio Sonata in A Minor for Flutes and Piano. I used the second movement (Vivace) and part of the third movement (Affettuoso). The piece is available in its entirety here: http://musopen.org/music/piece/532 More info on the swifts: http://www.audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife/brochures/vauxsswift http://web.mac.com/l.schwitters/Vauxs_Happening/Vauxs_Happening_Home.html http://www.oregonbirds.org/vauxs_swift_survey.html http://www.bird-friends.com/BirdPage.php?name=Vaux's%20Swift
Video by Garth Hagerman

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• vaux's swift
• swift
• flock
• migration
• eugene
• oregon
• swallow
• Garth Hagerman

[karolpuma]

The best movie bout birds i seen

[thetopdollmodel]

Thats cool you know they also stay at my school Chapman's Chimney in portland OR

and i just watched them it was so cool!

[cambridgeratmom]

Garth, thanks for posting this. This is some amazing footage. They're just pouring themselves out of the sky into the chimney.

As a birder, I sure appreciate seeing something like this even if I can't be there myself.

[journeyman3]

Amazing footage, Garth! Just imagine if you were sitting quietly in your living room and suddenly a million or so Vaux Swifts started erupting from your chimney! Yikes!

[LizzieGirl1961]

This was so amazing. I have never seen anything like this.Great job with the filming and incorporating the music. So beautiful. Keep up the great work!

[MissStoutTheVampire]

hahaha i go to prince pucklers all the time.

[milograamans]

wow

[spoiledbigtime]

Thanks Garth. This is lovely. Thank god we haven't yet destroyed this wonderful ballet of nature. Keep up the good work!