• Home
  • Archives

Dave Knows Portland

Subscribe to Dave Knows Portland by Email

Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2015

August 31, 2015 by Dave Leave a Comment

Swirling SwiftsJoin the Audubon Society of Portland in September for the annual Swift Watch in Northwest Portland.

In September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts coalesce into a giant undulating swirl in Northwest Portland near Chapman School after spending the day eating bug. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the school’s huge old chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of mesmerized and picnic-sated Portlanders stare into the sky from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets while their oblivious children roll down the grassy hill screaming. Cheers erupt from the crowd when the slippery swifts dodge the opportunistic Peregrine falcons, boos when the predators get lucky.

Vaux Swifts 2009 from Mile73 on Vimeo.

The Audobon Society of Portland maintains the Swift Watch webpage, which includes details on the best times to show up, explanations of the phenomena, and FAQs answering all your questions on the natural history of the swifts, the bird counts, and sundry. Oregon Field Guide did a segment on the Vaux Swifts fifteen years ago, and there’s even a movie, called On The Wing.

In 2008 and 2009 Heather and I blogged about our first visits to see the Chapman swifts:

  • The Chapman Swifts at Mile73
  • Witnessing the Chapman Vaux’s Swifts
  • Staring at a chimney: Chapman Vaux’s Swifts 2009

Your moment of Zen, courtesy of Mike Vogel:

US Forest Service Waiving Fees on Veterans Day Weekend (November 10-12, 2012)

November 5, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

Forest ServiceThe U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are waiving fees at most day-use recreation sites around the country on the Veterans Day holiday weekend, November 10 through 12, 2012.

This is our way of saying thanks to the brave men and women – past and present – who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe at home,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We encourage veterans, their families and all visitors to take time out over the holiday weekend to enjoy the benefits that nature provides at forests and grasslands throughout the country.

Find regional recreation options here.

Portland Weekend Amusements (September 21-23, 2012)

September 20, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

Truly the best weekend of the year, the third full weekend in September never quits. My two favorite fall festivals take place this weekend, the Oaks Park Oktoberfest and the Polish Festival, and this year we also have Feast PDX, Rheinlander’s Oktoberfest, train and streetcar events, and lots more – and weather looks delightful!

Ongoing

Swift WatchChapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2012

Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Portland. After spending their day eating bugs, the Swifts coalesce in Northwest Portland, flying in a giant undulating swirl in the sky above the school. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of Portlanders stare mesmerized at the sky, from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets. Boos erupt when opportunistic Peregrine falcons get lucky. [more]

All Weekend

Feast PortlandFeast Portland

Feast Portland, a celebration of Oregon Bounty, takes place Thursday through Sunday, September 20 through 23, 2012.

Presented by Bon Appétit, the fest is a four-day dynamic exchange of ideas, inspiration and dialogue that Feast Portland will create with food enthusiasts from Oregon, across the U.S. and around the globe. [more]

Bier!Oaks Park Oktoberfest

The 2012 Paulaner Oktoberfest at Oaks Park takes place Friday through Sunday, September 21 through 23.

This is one of Heather‘s favorite Portland festivals, because of the weiner dog races of course. I’m especially fond of the beer and accordion music! [more]

Friday

Offbeat Belly Dance

Avast! Noble Portlanders!

This Friday! Grab your party hat and head to the Blue Monk for the September edition of Offbeat Belly Dance!

Ah yes, the Blue Monk! Home of delicious beer! Complex and intriguing mixed drinks! Tasty food! Air conditioning! [more]

Friday-Saturday

Der Rheinlander Oktoberfest

Portland, Oregon’s favorite Rheinlander Oktoberfest will be Friday, September 21st & Saturday, September 22nd. Our family day “Family Fest” on Saturday from noon – 5pm.

Raise a Stein in the Rheinlander and Gustav’s Bier Stube’s Oktoberfest beer garden on the corner of NE 50th & Sandy Blvd! [more]

Saturday-Sunday

Heather at Portland Polish Festival 2010Polish Festival

The 17th annual Portland Polish Festival, my favorite local cultural event, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2012.

Below the masthead on the festival website are the words: the best kept secret of Portland, Oregon. This statement hasn’t been true for several years – the Polish Fest is the premier fall festival in the Portland area. [more]

VegFestPortland VegFest 2012

Oregon’s largest plant-based food event!

VegFest celebrates and promotes sustainable, compassionate and healthy food choices and lifestyles. This low-cost, fun and food-filled event welcomes everyone! [more]

Saturday

Portland Streetcar Central LoopPortland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration

The Portland Streetcar Central Loop Grand Opening Celebration takes place Saturday, September 22, 2012.

As part of the celebration, streetcar rides are free all day Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2012. Catch a ride to OMSI between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to attend the celebration. Visit the Portland Streetcar website for a full schedule of celebration events. [more]

SP 4449Oregon Rail Heritage Center’s Grand Opening

The grand opening celebration for the Oregon Rail Heritage Center takes place Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 10am -5pm. “See the three steam locomotives in their new home!”

Giveaways & Prizes * Live Music * Gift Shop * Kid’s Activities * Guides to tell you about us * Light Refreshments * ADA Accessible [more]

Back Fence PDXBack Fence PDX

As always we have an amazing lineup of storytellers ready to tell never-been-told-before true stories based on the theme HASHTAG NERD. From Portland: Iron Man comic book scribe, MATT FRACTION, Best Selling Thriller writer, CHELSEA CAIN, Co-host along with Felicia Day of a Geek & Sundry podcast, KIALA KAZEBEE, and Former High School Mathlete GABE CARLETON-BARNES. From Seattle: Jezebel staff writer LINDY WEST and math genius/creator of video games, BRUCE OBERG. [more]

For even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Portland Labor Day Weekend Amusements (2012)

August 30, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

Summer sure was fine, but now it’s Fall – happy Labor Day weekend!

Ongoing

Movies in ParksPortland Movies in the Park

Portland Parks and Recreation has released the 2012 summer schedule of Movies in the Park. From June 29 through September 18 sprawl out at one of Portland’s fine municipal parks several times a week for an evening of free entertainment.

Friday 8/31: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (71) @ Dawson Park
Friday 8/31: The Adventures of Tintin @ Mt Scott Park
Saturday 9/1: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 @ Wellington Park
[more]

Swift WatchChapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2012

Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Portland. After spending their day eating bugs, the Swifts coalesce in Northwest Portland, flying in a giant undulating swirl in the sky above the school. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of Portlanders stare mesmerized at the sky, from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets. Boos erupt when opportunistic Peregrine falcons get lucky. [more]

All Weekend

Art In The Pearl

Art In The Pearl®, Portland Oregon’s annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, occurs every year on Labor Day weekend. The 16th annual festival will occur on Sept. 1-3, 2012 in the Pearl District’s North Park Blocks. Art In The Pearl has been named one of the top 10 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the country (source: Art Fair Source Book). Our festival fills the Northwest Portland Park blocks with art, theater, music, and hands-on activities for people of all ages. [more]

Friday

Portland TimbersPortland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids

The Portland Timbers (6-13-6) host Colorado Rapids (8-16-2) Friday at Jeld-Wen Field. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.

Portland aims to maintain form in this battle of the Western Conference cellar dwellers. After an inspiring Cascadia Cup victory over Vancouver last weekend, do the Timbers have enough in them to beat the second worst team this Friday? [more]

Saturday-Sunday

Portland Pirate FestivalPortland Pirate Festival 2012

The seventh annual Portland Pirate Festival invades Historic St. Helens, Oregon again year, on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, 2012. . . .

The fest features pirate-themed and non-pirate-themed music, dance and performance, tall ships, stuff for kids, the marauders market, and of course there is grub and grog! [more]

Monday

Union YesLabor Day Picnic at Oaks Park

Oregon was the first state to officially recognize the Labor Day holiday in 1887, so it’s only fitting that to this day we throw huge Labor Day picnics throughout the state.

The largest local union picnic, which an estimated 20,000 people attended last year, is the Northwest Oregon Labor Council‘s Labor Day Picnic held Monday, September 5 at Oaks Amusement Park from 10am until 5pm. [more]

Authors in PubsAuthors in Pubs

Authors in Pubs takes place tonight, Monday, June 4, 2012, at the Jack London Bar (529 SW 4th – in the basement of the Rialto Pool Room).

Created by local writer Don Van Kirk last September, Authors in Pubs is a First Monday event that aims to give local writers a chance to share their work, and receive feedback. The shows run about two hours, but visitors are encouraged to arrive early and stay late to talk with authors and peruse their books. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2012

August 29, 2012 by Dave Leave a Comment

The 2012 Swift Watch takes place on the lawn of Chapman School (1445 NW 26th) through the month of September.

Swirling Swifts

Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Portland. After spending their day eating bugs, the Swifts coalesce in Northwest Portland, flying in a giant undulating swirl in the sky above the school. Around sunset the swirl gets more compact, like a ground pepper tornado, and begins disappearing, measure by measure, down the chimney. On the lawn below hundreds of Portlanders stare mesmerized at the sky, from the comfort of lawn chairs and blankets. Boos erupt when opportunistic Peregrine falcons get lucky. The crowd cheers, however, when the predators are thwarted. Meanwhile unruly and oblivious children [are there any other kind?] scream and roll down the grassy hill.

Chapman Crowd

Seriously, though, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Read Heather’s excellent account of our first visit in 2008, and mine from 2009. Here’s a quick video Heather captured of the birds in action in 2009:

The Audobon Society of Portland maintains the Swift Watch webpage, which includes details on the best times to show up, explanations of the phenomena, and FAQs answering all your questions on the natural history of the phenomena, the bird counts, and sundry. Oregon Field Guide did a segment on the Vaux Swifts a decade ago, and there’s even a movie, called On The Wing.

Next Page »

Dave Knows Portland Archive

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in