April 22, 2022 3:00 a.m.

Roseburg Swift Watch is back with events happening the next four Friday evenings, through May 13th.

Roseburg Parks and Recreation is co-sponsoring the series with the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society and federal and state agencies. Residents are invited to gather near the Umpqua Valley Art’s Clay Place behind organization’s main building on West Harvard Avenue, between 6:30 p.m. and sunset. As darkness approaches the tiny birds will drop into the studio’s chimney to roost for the night.

The evenings will also be used to celebrate Migratory Bird Day, which is Saturday May 14th. Swifts are just one of the bird species that migrate seasonally in the Americas. Challenges posed by light pollution are the focus of the 2022 World Migratory Bird Day Campaign.

Each night during this time of year, dozens, hundreds or even thousands of swifts use the chimney to roost during the spring migration northward. Audubon Society members say the birds have used the chimney for decades. Audubon is there nightly to count the birds as part of a west coast data collection effort. On Fridays, they will also serve as interpretive naturalists to answer questions. Federal agencies will offer kid’s activities and live bird displays along with other information.

Organizers urge those coming on Fridays to bring a chair or blanket or watch from their cars. Swifts Sisters and Friends will perform Americana music if the weather allows,

For more information, contact the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society at 680-0436 or email: info@umpuqaaudubon.org.