This 2025 Annual Report celebrates Klamath Bird Observatory’s 25 years of advancing bird conservation through science, education, and partnerships. The report brings together highlights from across KBO’s programs, including bird banding, point counts, riparian bird studies, GPS tracking, professional development, outreach, education, and published research. Together, these stories and numbers show how long-term monitoring, hands-on training, and community engagement help turn bird observations into meaningful conservation action.
This report is important because it documents both KBO’s impact in 2025 and the foundation built over the past 25 years. Long-term datasets, international training opportunities, regional partnerships, and community programs all help inform better habitat management, support the next generation of conservation leaders, and connect more people to birds and the places they need to thrive. It is also a thank-you to the donors, partners, volunteers, interns, staff, and community members who make this work possible.
REPORT COMING SOON
Top Photo: Nashville Warbler taken by Frank Lospalluto
How do bird observations help shape conservation priorities across Oregon and Washington?
Join us on Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 PM for a special eBird Northwest presentation exploring how the Oregon and Washington State Wildlife Action Plans, often called SWAPs, connect with bird data, community science, and on-the-ground conservation.
We will be joined by Jenny Fredrickson, Species of Greatest Conservation Need Coordinator with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Wendy Connally, State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
State Wildlife Action Plans help identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need, important habitats, conservation challenges, and opportunities for action. During this session, Jenny and Wendy will discuss how eBird data contributes to these statewide efforts, where major information gaps remain, and how birders across Oregon and Washington can help fill them. We will also explore ways to support the SWAPs beyond submitting bird observations, including opportunities for habitat stewardship, local engagement, and sharing knowledge with conservation partners.
This presentation is designed for birders of all experience levels. Whether you submit checklists regularly, are new to eBird, or simply care about birds and their habitats, you are welcome to join and learn how your observations and actions can support conservation across the Pacific Northwest.
This stamp highlights the connection between two countries through the remarkable migration of the Rufous Hummingbird. On the left is Salvia cinnabarina, a perennial native to southern Mexico. In the center, a Rufous Hummingbird feeds from both Salvia cinnabarina and western columbine (left), a wildflower found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Through its migration, the Rufous Hummingbird connects these two flowers and the habitats humans depend on across its annual journey.
Tiny but mighty, Rufous Hummingbirds weigh less than a nickel and can travel thousands of miles between breeding areas in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Alaska, and wintering areas in Mexico and the southeastern United States. Their annual journey depends on native flowers, insects, forests, meadows, riparian areas, post-fire landscapes, and safe migration stopovers across western North America.
This year’s stamp is more than a collectible piece of wildlife art. It is a way to support the science, education, and partnerships needed to protect birds and the habitats they depend on throughout their full annual life cycle.
Every purchase supports KBO’s mission to advance bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships.
Federal Duck Stamp
By funding habitat protection across our National Wildlife Refuges, the Federal Duck Stamp has long shown what’s possible when people unite for wildlife. At Klamath Bird Observatory, we’re building on that legacy with our Conservation Science Stamp that highlights science-based efforts to protect habitats for all bird species. When you purchase the Conservation Stamp Set, you’re joining birders, hunters, and conservationists who believe in preserving birds and their habitats.
Why this bird, why now
Rufous Hummingbirds are small, fierce, and unforgettable, but they are also declining. Long-term monitoring shows steep population losses, and conservation scientists have identified the species as one of the West’s most imperiled hummingbirds.
Their story is urgent because their survival depends on many places at many times of year. A Rufous Hummingbird may need early-blooming flowers during spring migration, forest openings and nesting habitat during the breeding season, high-elevation meadows during southward migration, and pine-oak forests and flowering plants on the wintering grounds.
When any part of that chain is weakened by habitat loss, climate change, pesticide exposure, invasive plants, overgrazing, altered fire regimes, or loss of native flowers, the effects can ripple across the entire annual cycle.
KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp helps turn concern into action by supporting research, monitoring, decision-support tools, education, and partnerships for birds and habitats.
Rufous Hummingbirds show why conservation must be connected across landscapes and seasons.
Their migration is not one simple path. In spring, Rufous Hummingbirds generally move north along the Pacific Coast toward breeding areas in the northwestern United States, Canada, and Alaska. In late summer and early fall, many return south through the Rocky Mountains before reaching wintering areas in Mexico. Research also shows that migration patterns differ by age and sex, with adult males, adult females, and young birds using different timing and routes. Use the Audubon Explorer tool to learn more about Rufous Hummingbird migration.
That means conservation must provide resources for all birds across the full annual cycle: breeding, migration, molt, wintering, and return migration.
KBO and partners are working to understand where Rufous Hummingbirds go, what resources they need, and where conservation action can make the greatest difference.
Rufous Hummingbirds are closely tied to dynamic western landscapes.
Post-disturbance and post-fire habitats can provide important resources for hummingbirds, especially when fires or forest openings support abundant wildflowers. During post-breeding migration, Rufous Hummingbirds may rely on high-elevation meadows and recently disturbed areas where late-blooming nectar-producing flowers are available.
Healthy forests are not static. Western forest bird conservation depends on restoring resilience, supporting natural patterns of disturbance and succession, reducing the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire, and improving habitat conditions for birds and people.
KBO’s conservation science helps inform active forest management.
A Rufous hummingbird feeding on a western columbine. Photo taken by Frank Lospalluto
Rufous Hummingbirds are pollinators that depend on flowers throughout the year.
They feed on nectar from many native plants and may visit thousands of flowers in a single day. Insects are also essential, especially for growing chicks and during molt, when birds need protein and nutrients that nectar alone cannot provide.
One of the clearest “no regrets” conservation actions is to increase the abundance and diversity of native, locally adapted flowers. Native flowering plants support hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while strengthening the habitats birds need during migration, breeding, and winter.
KBO’s work
KBO has helped build the scientific foundation for western hummingbird conservation.
Through the Western Hummingbird Partnership, Avian Knowledge Network, decision-support resources, and collaborative research, KBO works with partners to identify conservation needs, fill information gaps, guide land management, and support full-life-cycle conservation for Rufous Hummingbirds and other western birds.
This stamp supports KBO’s role as a science-based conservation leader: connecting research to action, helping land managers make informed decisions, and engaging communities in bird and habitat conservation.
Bird conservation and community well-being are connected.
Healthy western forests support birds, clean water, climate resilience, fire-adapted landscapes, and the communities that depend on them. KBO’s work helps align conservation science with active forest management, restoration planning, decision-support tools, and community-based partnerships. By supporting the Conservation Science Stamp, you help sustain the science and partnerships that benefit birds, habitats, watersheds, and people.
Too many stickers? No problem! You can also choose this beautiful design on a t-shirt, available in multiple colors and sizes, including youth options. Purchase your t-shirt here.
Artist: Bekah Zeimetz
Bekah Zeimetz is a self-taught acrylic painter based in Eugene, Oregon. She gathers inspiration and reference photos from countless hours spent hiking and birdwatching in the Pacific Northwest. Using vibrant color and thousands of small marks, she turns these experiences into beautiful paintings to remind the viewer that magic still exists.
Looking for a memorable summer outing for the whole family? Join Klamath Bird Observatory for a unique, fun, and family-friendly visit to a bird banding station near beautiful Upper Klamath Lake!
We are offering two opportunities to visit the station this summer:
Wednesday, July 15
Friday, July 24 (Canceled)
During this half-day field outing, you will have the chance to learn about resident and migratory birds and see some of them up close. Participants will meet KBO scientists and bird banding interns, learn how bird banding supports conservation science, and get a behind-the-scenes look at field research in action.
This is a wonderful opportunity for families, students, young birders, and anyone curious about birds, wildlife, or conservation. Young people interested in careers in wildlife biology, ornithology, ecology, or outdoor fieldwork will especially enjoy seeing how scientists collect data and study birds in the field.
Each outing is donation-based, with a suggested donation of $0 to $75 for this special experience. We especially encourage young folks and students to attend.
The event runs from 6:00 am to noon, including driving time. The banding station is about 1.5 hours from Ashland. If you are coming from the Klamath Falls area, we can arrange to meet you at Rocky Point instead of Ashland.
Please bring snacks, water, and any other drinks you may need. Wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers, as it will likely be cool in the early morning.
Klamath Bird Observatory is excited to help welcome the Western Field Ornithologists’ 50th Annual Conference to Ashland, Oregon, September 17–20, 2026. This milestone gathering will bring birders, researchers, conservation practitioners, students, and field ornithology enthusiasts to the Rogue Valley for four days of birding, science, skill-building, and community.
Western Field Ornithologists hosts a multi-day annual conference each year, featuring scientific presentations, field trips, workshops, panels, a keynote address, the annual membership meeting, and community events. In 2026, WFO will celebrate five decades of field ornithology with a special anniversary conference centered in Ashland, with field trips exploring the diverse habitats of southern Oregon.
KBO is proud to partner with WFO on this important event, alongside support from the Oregon Birding Association. As a regional organization dedicated to bird conservation through science, education, and partnerships, KBO is especially honored to help bring this gathering of field ornithologists to our home region.
Jaime Stephens to Give 50th Anniversary Keynote
A highlight of the conference will be the 50th Anniversary Banquet and Keynote, featuring Jaime Stephens, Klamath Bird Observatory’s Director of Conservation. Jaime’s work connects science, conservation planning, and collaborative partnerships across the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion and beyond. Her keynote will help celebrate WFO’s 50-year legacy while looking ahead to the future of bird conservation, applied science, and field ornithology in western North America.
The banquet and keynote may be added to conference registration for an additional fee. Guest banquet tickets will also be available for those who would like to attend with a companion.
What to Expect
The 2026 conference program will include expert-led field trips, science sessions, workshops, panels, and evening events. Attendees can look forward to opportunities to explore premier southern Oregon habitats, learn from regional experts, sharpen field identification skills, and connect with fellow birders and ornithologists.
Conference highlights will include:
Expert-led field trips to southern Oregon habitats, including wetlands, oak woodlands, mixed conifer forests, and other bird-rich landscapes during fall migration.
Science sessions featuring current research, regional studies, and emerging topics in ornithology and conservation.
Hands-on workshops designed to strengthen identification, field techniques, photography, sound identification, and scientific literacy.
Signature evening events, including the Sound ID Challenge with Nathan Pieplow and Ben Guo, the Photo ID Challenge with Ed Harper, community gatherings, receptions, and the 50th-anniversary banquet and keynote.
Conference registration is $350 for eligible members of WFO and OBA. Registration includes expert-led field trips, hands-on workshops, full access to science sessions and presentations, the welcome reception, and networking events.
The 50th Anniversary Banquet and Keynote with Jaime Stephens may be added for $75 per attendee.
The host hotel for the 2026 conference is Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland, Oregon. Rooms are available now at the WFO group rate and are expected to fill quickly for this special anniversary gathering.
Conference attendees are encouraged to reserve lodging early. WFO recommends contacting Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites directly and letting them know you are attending the Western Field Ornithologists Conference. Attendees may arrive as early as September 16, with conference activities taking place September 17–20.
Additional lodging options and travel information will be shared by WFO as the conference approaches.
Join Us in Ashland
KBO is thrilled to help bring WFO’s 50th Annual Conference to Ashland and to share the birds, habitats, science, and conservation community of southern Oregon with attendees from across the West.
Whether you are a professional ornithologist, conservation practitioner, student, dedicated birder, or lifelong learner, this milestone conference is an opportunity to deepen your connection to birds and the people working to understand and protect them.
We hope to see you in Ashland September 17–20, 2026, for four days of field ornithology, science, and community.
Klamath Bird Observatory’s Thomas McLaren was recently featured in a Pacific Crest Trail Association blog post exploring the fascinating relationship between Clark’s nutcrackers and whitebark pine in the Southern California Mountains.
In the article, Tom shares insights from his previous research on Clark’s nutcrackers, a bird species known for its remarkable memory and important role in dispersing whitebark pine seeds. This mutualistic relationship is especially important as whitebark pine faces serious threats from disease, insects, and changing environmental conditions.
We’re excited to see Tom’s expertise shared with the PCT community and to help highlight the many ways birds connect people, landscapes, and conservation.
Across the Pacific Northwest, Klamath Bird Observatory scientists are using innovative tracking technology to uncover the hidden journeys of some of our most vulnerable and least-understood birds. Now, you can be part of that discovery.
We’re excited to launch Adopt-a-Tag, a new giving program that directly supports KBO’s bird movement research. By sponsoring a tag, you help put cutting-edge tools, GPS tags, Motus tags, and satellite transmitters into the field, where they reveal how birds move, where they stop, what habitats they depend on, and what challenges they face throughout the year.
These tiny tags can tell powerful stories.
KBO’s long-term work with Western Purple Martinshas revealed a nearly 7,000-mile migration from Oregon to southeastern Brazil, including previously unknown stopover sites. Our research on Oregon Vesper Sparrows is helping scientists better understand migration routes, overwintering areas, survival, dispersal, and the conservation needs of one of the region’s most imperiled songbirds.
Every tag deployed, and every tag recovered, adds to a growing body of science that guides conservation action across species, landscapes, and seasons.
Through Adopt-a-Tag, supporters can choose from three giving levels:
Full Tag Project Support — $5,000
Covers one tag, deployment, and analysis. Supporters receive seasonal migration updates, exclusive access to webinars with KBO scientists, and select merchandise.
Tag and Deployment Support — $3,000
Covers one tag and its deployment. Supporters receive exclusive access to webinars with KBO scientists and select merchandise.
Tag Support — $1,500
Covers the cost of one tag. Supporters receive exclusive access to webinars.
When you adopt a tag, you become a partner in discovery. Your support helps researchers document migration routes, identify wintering grounds and stopover habitats, understand survival challenges, and protect critical habitat across the full annual cycle. Even if a tag is lost or a bird does not return, your gift still advances fieldwork, analysis, and the next opportunity to track these rare species.
Adopt a tag. Adopt a journey. Help us follow the flight paths that conservation depends on.
The Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network (KSON) wants to invite you to a field tour of the Upper Rogue Oak Initiative (UROI) on May 28th. Please fill out the RSVP form below.
Art made during the last Artistic Reflection event. Using old State of the Birds Reports.
Join the Klamath Bird Observatory and local artist Gatore Mukarhinda on April 12th from 4 pm to 6 pm for an afternoon of creativity and conservation. We will have a shared creative space where we make bird‑inspired art together and explore how eBird turns our observations into conservation.
Both artmaking and community science begin with noticing. When someone sketches a bird, builds a collage of feathers and colors, or paints a migration path, they are practicing the same attentive seeing that powers eBird checklists. Each act, creative or scientific, asks people to look closely, to care about what they see, and to share it with others.
We will be using the community space at Luna Cafe. There will be live music and light refreshments. All craft materials will be provided, but feel free to bring additional craft materials for your project.
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child, registration required
Refunds can be issued upon request. Please note that processing fees charged at the time of the original transaction are non‑refundable and will be withheld from the total refund.
Winter can be a great time of year to enjoy raptor viewing in the picturesque Klamath Basin! Please join KBO board members Amanda Alford and Dick Ashford, who will share their enthusiasm and knowledge during an informative (and fun!) Hawk ID workshop.
On Thursday, February 19th, from 6 – 8:30 PM, we’ll meet in the KBO “Spa” at 2425 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, for a presentation on Identifying Wintering Hawks of the Klamath Basin. Then on Saturday, Feb 21st, we will travel to the Klamath Basin for an all-day outing, departing Ashland at 8 AM and returning around 5-ish. To afford everyone the best possible experience, attendance is strictly limited to 11 attendees. This will allow us to carpool in four cars, each driven by members of our KBO Raptor Team.
Please be sure to dress comfortably and bring lunch and liquids. Much of our birding will be from the roadside, and walking will be minimal.
Bekah Zeimetz is a self-taught acrylic painter based in Eugene, Oregon. She gathers inspiration and reference photos from countless hours spent hiking and birdwatching in the Pacific Northwest. Using vibrant color and thousands of small marks, she turns these experiences into beautiful paintings to remind the viewer that magic still exists.
Klamath Bird Observatory is excited to help welcome the Western Field Ornithologists’ 50th Annual Conference to Ashland, Oregon, September 17–20, 2026. This milestone gathering will bring birders, researchers, conservation practitioners, students, and field ornithology enthusiasts to the Rogue Valley for four days of birding, science, skill-building, and community.
Across the Pacific Northwest, Klamath Bird Observatory scientists are using innovative tracking technology to uncover the hidden journeys of some of our most vulnerable and least-understood birds. Now, you can be part of that discovery.
