August 23, 2021 10:50 a.m. 

Residents can witness the spectacle of seasonal bird migration during Roseburg Swift Watch 2021 and the World Migratory Bird Day Celebration on the Friday evenings of September 3rd and September 10th in Fir Grove Park.

Roseburg Parks and Recreation is co-sponsoring the event with the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society and the Bureau of Land Management. Both evenings will be used to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, which could not be honored last spring due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Those interested can gather near the Umpqua Valley Art’s Clay Place, the clay studio behind the Arts Center on West Harvard between 6:30 p.m. and sunset to watch displays by the Vaux’s Swifts before the birds drop into the studio’s chimney to roost for the night.

Audubon President Diana Wales said each night, dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of the birds use the chimney to roost during their annual fall migration to Central and South America for the winter. Wales said the birds have been using the chimney for decades. Audubon members count the birds as part of a west coast data collection effort and are available to serve as interpretive naturalists, answering questions people may have. The BLM will offer displays and information as well.

Organizers urge people to wear masks, use social distancing and bring a folding chair when they come. Some people watch from their cars in the parking lot as well.

For more information, call the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society at 680-0436.