Author: Elva Manquera
A Decade of Collaborative Oak Restoration
The Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot and area of conservation concern, with some of the most extensive remaining oak ecosystems in the western United States. Oaks in this region are most threatened by conifer encroachment, fire suppression, agricultural development, incompatible grazing practices, non-native species, and severe fire.
The Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network (KSON) is a regional collaboration between local agencies, tribes, and non-profit organizations that works to conserve oak ecosystems on private and public lands in southern Oregon and northern California. Since 2011, KSON partners have accomplished thousands of acres of strategic ecological restoration to enhance oak habitat, build climate resilience, bolster cultural resources, and reduce wildfire risk to the ecosystem and communities. The handout A Decade of Collaborative Oak Restoration demonstrates the power of collaboration and a decade-plus of successful oak habitat restoration from 2011-2023 with highlights from Table Rock and Colestin Valley projects.
Click here to view the full document.
Save the Date – Brazil 2024
A fun, adventurous, and engaging way to support bird and habitat conservation beyond borders
We invite you to join the directors of Klamath Bird Observatory and Mantiqueira Bird Observatory for a 10-day adventure exploring the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The trip will be held August 20-29, 2024. During the trip, you will:
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- Visit natural landscapes and enjoying scenic places;
- Hike through a diversity of habitats;
- Observe birds and wildlife in nature;
- Experience local culture;
- Learn about birds, bird observatories, and international conservation;
- Support Klamath Bird Observatory and Mantiqueira Bird Observatory science based conservation beyond borders intern exchange program
Registration for the Brazil trip will open on September 20th.
Scott Valley with Dick Ashford
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Brazil Trip Registration
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Klamath Basin with Dick Ashford
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Great Grey Owl Talk by Harry Fuller
Great Gray Owls are scarce over much of the range shown in typical field guides or online range maps. There are small regions within their overall range where they are more numerous. In this, they are like many birds that are very picky about habitat and food supply—Pinyon Jays, MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Green-tailed Towhees.
Jackson County is most likely the southernmost hotspot for great grays. There might be as many great grays here as in all of California, where they are state-designated endangered species. There has never been a confirmed sighting in Siskiyou County, which is only a few miles from where owls breed in this county. Likely there are many more great grays in Oregon than in Washington State. In Europe, the species is found primarily in boreal forests. Along the Pacific Slope, they occur in small numbers as far south as Fresno County.
Why are they here? How do they behave? Survive? Deal with humans? What does climate change portend?
Date and Time: September 22nd at 6 pm
Location: Klamath Bird Observatory office in Ashland, Zoom option available
Cost: FREE
Great Grey Owl book and Harry’s most recent publication, Birding Harney County will be available for sale during the event.
Before his retirement, Harry managed TV and Internet newsrooms in San Francisco and London. He has written three natural history books, including Great Gray Owl in California, Oregon, and Washington, and San Francisco’s Natural History, Sand Dunes to Streetcars. Harry also contributed to a chapter about Common Nighthawks in Edge of Awe, an anthology of essays about Malheur National Wildlife Refuge published by Oregon State University Press in 2019. He has been leading bird trips and teaching birding classes since the 1990s. See Harry’s birding journal online here.
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Let’s Talk Bird Series Registration
Remember also to fill out the COVID Release Form and Liability Waiver.
Fall FUNdraising and Outreach Events
The Klamath Bird Observatory board members are excited to introduce our fall outreach and FUNdraising events.
Let’s Talk Bird Series
Join Shannon Rio for three weeks of classes, chatting about our local birds and ending with a field trip. Powerpoint presentations will include, for example, a deep dive into a specific group of birds like woodpeckers and learning fun bird factoids. We will explore the use of a variety of bird guides and info books. This class is collaborative and interactive and meant to be fun. We will meet at noon for 1 1/2 hours, so bring a sack lunch along with your curiosity. Please bring your favorite guidebook for referencing the species we are learning about and sharing with the group. The class will be capped off with an all-day outing to use what you have learned.
Dates: September 11th, 18th, 25th, and field trip on Sep 30th or Oct 1st.
Location: KBO Office in Ashland
Fee: $100 suggested donation
Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and as such, KBO events are offered with COVID-19 safety as a primary concern. Proof of “up-to-date” vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. Upon registration, all individuals attending an in-person event must also fill out KBO’s COVID Release Form and Waiver of Liability. Paper copies may also be available at an event upon advanced request. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Save The Dates
Registration for these events will open approximately one month before the event day. Mark your calendars now, and keep an eye out for the emails.
Great Grey Owl Talk with Harry Fuller – September 22nd, 6 pm, at the KBO Office – Free, signed Great Grey Owl books available for purchase
Walk Into Ashland Past with Jeff LaLande – October 7th & 14th at 11:30 am. The walk starts at the Ashland Library – $75 per person
Field Trip to Scott Valley with Dick Ashford – October 21st – $40 per person
Field Trip to the Klamath Basin with Dick Ashford – November 4th – $40 per person
Klamath Basin Raptor ID Class and Field Trip with Dick Ashford – December 7th and 9th – $75 per person
Bird Conmigo August 12th
Join us on August 12th at 9 am for Bird Conmigo. Birding with friends and family is a great way to connect. We will be exploring Bear Creek Park. Many of the birds seen there you can find in your backyard. Klamath Bird Observatory will provide binoculars and Spanish/English guidebooks. This event is free and Spanish/English bilingual.
Acompáñanos este 12 de Agosto a las 9 a.m. en el recorrido de observación de aves Bird Conmigo. Observar aves con amigos y familia es una gran forma de crear vínculos cercanos. Exploraremos el parque Bear Creek, donde encontraremos algunas aves que habitan también en los patios de las casas. Habrá binoculares y guías bilingües en Español/Inglés disponibles para su uso durante el recorrido cortesía de Klamath Bird Observatory. Este evento es gratuito y bilingüe.