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Author: Elva Manquera

Visit a KBO Banding Station in the Upper Klamath

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Trips & Events.

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

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.

Visit KBO’s event calendar to register for an outing to the banding station. Spots are limited. 

We hope to see you out in the field!

Western Field Ornithologists’ 50th Annual Conference to Ashland, Oregon

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Trips & Events.

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.

Registration

Conference registration is open.

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.

To register and view the latest conference details, visit the WFO conference page:
https://westernfieldornithologists.org/conference/

Where to Stay

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.

KBO Staff Member Featured in Pacific Crest Trail Association Blog

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Conservation.

Clark’s nutcracker taken by Frank Lospalluto

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.

Read the full Pacific Crest Trail Association blog here: https://www.pcta.org/2026/ecoregions-southern-california-mountains-97987/

tagged Vesper Sparrow sticker graphic

Adopt a Tag. Follow a Journey. Protect Vulnerable Birds.

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note.

Dear KBO Community,

a retrieved bird migration tracking tag, photo by Joe MetzlerAcross 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 Martins has 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.

Adopt a Tag today:
https://klamathbird.org/adoptatag/

With gratitude,

Klamath Bird Observatory

Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network Field Day RSVP

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in kson.

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.

Agenda for May 28th

KSON will be providing sandwiches from Market of Choice for lunch. Please fill out the Sandwich Form by the end of the day on May 25th. 

KSON Field Tour

Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or accommodations that would help you fully participate in the event. The first half of the day will take place indoors and include a series of short presentations. In the afternoon, we will travel to a field site, where participants may be walking on uneven terrain. Please share any mobility, transportation, seating, sensory, dietary, or other accessibility considerations we should be aware of.
Lunch(Required)
Sandwhich form:  https://forms.gle/X2THKP4Xjy66HUUy6
Will you be joing us for dinner at Tap and Vine on Wednesday, May 27th at 6 pm?(Required)

eBird Northwest an Artistic Reflection of Community Science, April 12th

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Trips & Events.

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.

Cover Photo: Rock Wren by Frank Lospalluto

Hawk ID Workshop

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Trips & Events.

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.

Mindful Birding

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Information & Handouts.

Volunteers at Lynn Newbry (c) Emmalisa Whalley

Mindful Birding recognizes that bird watching connects participants with nature through an appreciation of the magnificence of birds.  With this recognition, the Klamath Bird Observatory promotes a birding ethic that encourages bird watchers to be mindful of wildlife, safety, and other people, as well as of their own birding experience.  With such consciousness, we believe that birders will carry a Mindful Birding ethic from the field into their everyday lives, becoming even stronger messengers for and supporters of bird and habitat conservation.

  1. The birds’ welfare is the highest priority, so please:
  • Bird quietly, walk slowly, drive cautiously
  • Respect the birds’ territory, do not approach too closely
  • Be extra cautious when in the vicinity of nests
  • Refrain from using audio playback 
  • Do not imitate Northern Pygmy-Owl calls
  • Do not harass birds by flushing, shining spotlights, or pointing lasers
  • Refrain from using flash when photographing birds  
       
  1. A green hillside with a group of people walking on a trail.
    A group staying on a path in Brazil.

    Preservation of and access to habitat is important, so please:

  • Do not damage habitat (breaking branches, trampling vegetation)
  • Stay on established paths and roads
  • Respect private property; do not enter without express permission
  • Follow the rules & regulations of public areas
  • Avoid aiming optics at people, residences, and businesses
  1. We’re all in this together, so please:
  • Be courteous to others in your group; your actions affect their birding experience
  • Remember that the group leader is responsible for the behavior of the group
  1. As you bird, we encourage you to be mindful of your impacts on birds and other people, to be mindful of safety, and to be mindful of your own birding experience.

Thank you, and thank you for supporting bird conservation. The birds need it, and deserve it!

A Season of Birds, Community, and Creativity

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Trips & Events.

Is your New Year’s resolution to learn more about birds and deepen your support for bird conservation? The Klamath Bird Observatory has you covered with three fantastic events to kick off the year.

Hawk Talk and Walk

Raptors are magnificent—and often challenging—to identify. Join expert Dick Ashford for an evening presentation on Wednesday, January 14th, from 6:00–8:30 PM, where he’ll share tips and tricks for recognizing hawks in the field. Then put your new skills into practice during a guided field trip to the Klamath Basin on Saturday, January 17th. Winter in the Basin is a spectacular time for raptor diversity. Register here.

Two women looking up at a hummingbird on a branch.Travel with Purpose

Looking to make a bigger impact on bird conservation? Join us for an evening of food, friends, and inspiration on Saturday, January 17th, from 5:00–8:00 PM. We’ll introduce our new Travel with Purpose program and share details about our upcoming 2026 trips to Bear Divide (May 6th – May 9th, 2025) and Brazil (September 3–12, 2026). Meet trip leaders, connect with past participants, and learn how meaningful travel can support conservation. This event is free—please register here.

State of the Birds: An Artistic Reflection

Some feelings about our connection to nature are hard to capture in words alone. Art can help us express them in new and powerful ways. On February 8th, from 4:00–6:00 PM, join KBO and local artist Gatore at Luna Café for a creative, community-centered event. Explore the State of the Birds, then help us transform old reports into beautiful, repurposed works of art. This family-friendly gathering is a wonderful way to connect, create, and reflect. Register here.

Cover photo Northern Harrier taken by Frank Lospalluto

Two women looking up at a hummingbird on a branch.

Join Us for an Evening of Stories, Community, and Conservation Travel

Written by Elva Manquera on . Posted in Klamath Call Note.

Saturday, January 17th | 5:00–8:00 PM | In-Person Gathering in Ashland

On Saturday, January 17th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, an in-person event hosted at the home of a KBO supporter, designed to bring our community together for an evening of stories, photos, and behind-the-scenes insights from our past and upcoming conservation-focused trips to Brazil and Bear Divide. Light dinner and drinks will be served.

Whether you’ve traveled with us before, are considering joining a future expedition, or want to learn more about how international birding can support meaningful science and conservation, this gathering is for you.

Registration is free, but required. Register below.

What to Expect

Stories from the Field

Hear firsthand accounts from travelers and KBO staff who have explored Brazil’s rich biodiversity while contributing to long-term bird monitoring and conservation partnerships.

A look ahead to Brazil 2026

We’ll share details about our next Travel with Purpose adventure to Brazil, including itinerary highlights, conservation goals, and the unique ways participants directly support KBO’s international science and partnership work. From vibrant bird communities to hands-on conservation experiences, this upcoming journey offers an unforgettable opportunity to connect with biodiversity and purpose-driven travel.

Learn more about the 2026 trip here: https://klamathbird.org/uncategorized/brazil-trip-registration-2026/

Experience Bear Divide

We’ll also highlight an exciting domestic opportunity: KBO’s spring migration experience at Bear Divide in Southern California. This remarkable mountain pass funnels thousands of migrating songbirds each morning, creating one of the most spectacular—and scientifically valuable—migration monitoring sites in the western United States. Attendees will get a glimpse into what makes Bear Divide so special, how KBO contributes to ongoing research there, and how you can join us for this unforgettable field experience.

Explore the Bear Divide program here: https://klamathbird.org/callnote/experience-bear-divide/

How Travel with Purpose Works

Discover how KBO’s travel program blends immersive birding experiences with hands-on conservation impact. These trips aren’t just vacations; they’re opportunities to support science, strengthen partnerships, and deepen your connection to global bird conservation.

Explore the program overview here: https://klamathbird.org/travel-with-purpose/

Community Connection

Meet fellow bird enthusiasts, conservation supporters, and curious travelers. This is a chance to ask questions, share your own stories, and learn how you can be part of KBO’s growing network of conservation-minded adventurers.

Why This Event Matters

Travel with Purpose is built on the belief that meaningful travel can strengthen conservation outcomes. When people experience the landscapes, species, and communities we work to protect, they return home inspired and ready to make a difference.

This event is a celebration of that spirit. It’s also an invitation to join us in supporting the next chapter of KBO’s conservation work.