Author: Elva Manquera

Educational Videos from Vesper Meadow

Written by Elva Manquera on March 9, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Community Science, Conservation, KBO Partners.

Oregon Vesper Sparrow (c) Frank Lospalluto

Klamath Bird Observatory has been working with Vesper Meadow to engage and educate the community on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Vesper Meadow is a former agricultural pasture that is being reclaimed by a community-powered restoration effort. They developed two educational videos on the work that is being done to help this imperiled species by KBO and other partners. Click here to learn more about KBO’s work on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow.

Learn how scientists are monitoring the Oregon Vesper Sparrow, an imperiled species estimated to be down to around 2,000 individuals. See how nests are found, how fledglings are monitored, and how annual survival is observed using Oregon’s first MOTUS network, currently in place at Vesper Meadow. See how the ongoing data collection and partnerships with scientists with the Klamath Bird Observatory help inform our restoration efforts to help save this species from extinction. Support for this video comes from the Oregon Birding Association.

Research to Save the Imperiled Oregon Vesper Sparrow

Learn how native plants provide prime nesting habitat for the Oregon Vesper Sparrow, an imperiled species whose population is down to around 2,000 individuals and includes over 80 nesting pairs found so far at Vesper Meadow. See how volunteers engage in converting areas of Vesper Meadow from invasive to native plants in an attempt to provide more nesting habitat and food for this namesake species. Hear from our partners in restoration at The Understory Initiative who are helping to monitor how creek restoration efforts affect water flows and plant populations where Oregon Vesper Sparrows build nests and raise their young.

Habitat Restoration for the Imperiled Oregon Vesper Sparrow

Birding Beyond Borders Video Available

Written by Elva Manquera on March 1, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, KBO Family, Trips & Events.

Thank you to everyone that attended Birding Beyond Borders. A special thank you goes to Shannon Rio and Luiza Figueira for presenting about the amazing connection that Klamath Bird Observatory has with Observatório de Aves da Mantiqueira and how this international connection is a great model for bird conservation across the globe. If you missed this presentation you can watch the Zoom recording here.

If you would like to support KBO and OAMA’s work click here.

To learn more about KBO’s science programs click here.

PIF — Western Working Group Spring Meeting 2022

Written by Elva Manquera on February 23, 2022. Posted in uncategorized.

Join us for Partners in Flight Western Working Group Spring Virtual Meeting 2022!

Sessions are as follow:

Marth 28th – New approaches and collaborations for Western Forest Conservation

April 6th – Conservation Without Borders: Sharing knowledge and collaborative multinational efforts for multispecies ecosystem conservation (Live English/Spanish translation)

April 7th – Motus session

Each session will be held in the morning from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Pacific Time). Register below.

Registration is $50 USD total. We ask for all attendees to pay as per agency rules, or with their personal bank account. We welcome the attendance of all students and others for whom this registration fee might be a hardship. For this, a waived registration fee may be requested by sending an email to sal@klamathbird.org with the subject line, “Waive my registration fee”. You may leave the body of the text blank.

Please register at least 24 hours before the session starts. A Zoom link will be sent to you after you register. Registering at the last minute is highly discouraged and may delay you from joining the session on time.

Acompáñanos en la reunión virtual de Primavera de Partners in Flight Western Working Group 2022!

Las sesiones son las siguientes:

28 de marzo- Nuevos enfoques y colaboraciones para la conservación de bosques del Oeste

6 de abril– Conservación Sin Fronteras: Compartiendo conocimientos y colaboraciones multinacionales para la conservación de ecosistemas multiespecies (Traducción en vivo de Ingles/Español)

7 de abril– Sesión de Motus

El registro es $50. Pedimos que todos los participantes paguen de acuerdo a las reglas de su agencia o con su cuenta de banco personal. Invitamos la atendencia de los estudiantes y otros grupos para quienes el costo del registro sea dificultoso. Por esto, pueden pedir una exoneración de la tarifa mandando un correo a sal@klmathbird.org con el título, “ Exonera mi tarifa”. Pueden dejar el texto del correo en blanco.

Por favor registrarse 24 horas antes del comienzo de la sesión. Un link por correo será enviado para acceder la plataforma de Zoom antes de cada sesión.

PIF — Western Working Group Fall Meeting 2022

Written by Elva Manquera on July 28, 2022. Posted in uncategorized.

Join us for the Partners in Flight Western Working Group Fall Hybrid Meeting 2022!

Sessions are as follows:
8:30 AM – Wednesday, October 12 – MOTUS Session and RAWA discussion
9:00 AM – Thursday, October 13 – Conservation Without Borders: Sharing knowledge and collaborative multinational efforts for multispecies ecosystem conservation

Registration is $50 USD in total. We ask for all attendees to pay as per agency rules, or with their personal bank account. We welcome the attendance of all students and others for whom this registration fee might be a hardship. For this, a waived registration fee may be requested by sending an email to ejm@klamathbird.org with the subject line, “Waive my registration fee”. You may leave the body of the text blank.

Las sesiones son las siguientes:
8:30 AM – Miércoles 12 de octubre – Sesión sobre MOTUS y discusión RAWA
9:00 AM – Jueves 13 de octubre – Conservación Sin Fronteras: Compartir conocimientos y esfuerzos de colaboración multinacionales para la conservación de especies y ecosistemas

La inscripción tiene un costo de 50 dólares. Pedimos a todos los asistentes que paguen según las normas de la agencia, o según lo permita su cuenta bancaria personal. Damos la bienvenida a la asistencia de estudiantes y otras personas para las que esta cuota de inscripción pueda suponer una dificultad. Para ello, se puede solicitar una exención de la cuota de inscripción enviando un correo electrónico a: ejm@klamathbird.org con el asunto “Waive my registration fee” (“exonere mi cuota de inscripción”). Puede dejar el cuerpo del mensaje en blanco, o bien especificar por qué hace esta solicitud.

Le rogamos que se inscriba al menos 24 horas antes del comienzo de la sesión. Se desaconseja inscribirse en el último momento, ya que se puede retrasar su incorporación a la sesión a tiempo.
El enlace de Zoom se le proporcionará individualmente después de inscribirse.

Talk and Walk’s are Back!

Written by Elva Manquera on February 23, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, KBO Education, Trips & Events.

Talk and Walk are back by popular demand. These are donation-based series that happen at a variety of locations. It is a great opportunity to explore Southern Oregon, increase your birding knowledge, and make new friends. We welcome birders on all levels. Binoculars’ are available for use.

Our first walk is on March 26th, led by Shannon Rio at North Mountain Park Nature Center starting at 9 am – 11 am FULL. Shannon is KBO’s board president and is passionate about environmental education. North Mountain Park, located next to Bear Creek in beautiful Ashland Oregon, encompasses a Nature Center, Demonstration Gardens, playing fields, and several acres of wildlife-friendly open space and trails. The mission of the Nature Center, which is part of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Department, is “to promote greater community awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of the local natural environment, and to foster stewardship through educational programs and activities.”

Celebrate Earth Day with us by birding at the Rogue River Preserve with Amanda Alford on April 23rd from 9 am – 11 am FULL. A new date has been added on April 24th from 9 am – 11 am. Group size limited to 12 people. Amanda is a KBO board member and a lover of all things bird and is excited to share. The Rogue River Preserve is located along the Rogue River. The preserve is owned and managed by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Its 352 acres include several distinct habitats that support remarkable biodiversity, including at least 32 rare, declining, and uncommon plant and animal species. There isn’t a better way to celebrate Mother Earth.

More dates will be added through out the year. Want to keep up to date on all things KBO? Sign up for the Klamath Call Note!

KBO Positions Available

Written by Elva Manquera on February 21, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Press Room.

Klamath Bird Observatory has two open job positing’s. We are looking for an avian field biologist. Their primary responsibilities are to support ongoing long-term avian monitoring and applied ecology studies that advance bird conservation. The Biologist will have a primary role in one to several projects and a support role in other research and monitoring studies. Implementation of field studies is a primary responsibility; hiring, training, supervising seasonal field crews, and managing field logistics. This includes developing and coordinating with project partners and private landowners, data management, and analysis and reporting. Field studies may include multiple avian survey methodologies such as point count, nest searching, mist-netting, bird banding, and species-specific survey protocols. The Biologist will complete field surveys as needed. In addition, the Biologist will support all aspects of KBO’s operations on an as-need basis. Click here to read more about the position.

We are still looking for summer point count technicians. We are seeking seasonal field technicians from May 2nd through July 15th (some positions available through July 29th), to complete point count surveys throughout the diverse and beautiful regions of southern Oregon, eastern Oregon, and/or northern California. Technicians will work on multiple projects consisting of monitoring effects of oak and stream restoration and long-term monitoring in both private and public lands. Surveyors will work in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, eastern Oregon sagebrush habitat, and more. Applicants should be able to identify a large variety of Western birds as they may be working in a range of habitats including oak woodlands, riparian areas, coniferous forests, montane meadows, and shrub-steppe. Click here to read more about the position.

Upcoming KBO Events

Written by Elva Manquera on February 17, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Trips & Events.

Birding Beyond Borders

Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) presents Birding Beyond Borders in partnership with Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa). This presentation celebrates the Klamath Bird Observatory, birds, scientists, conservationists, and people from all parts of our globe. It praises the value of diversity in all of the aspects that nature provides to us: diversity of landscape, diversity of peoples and culture, and how that diversity equals a balanced healthy world.

There will be two parts the first is presented by KBO board president, Shannon Rio. As a tribute to the Klamath Bird Observatory and how it embraces the international aspect of studying and protecting birds. She will be introducing how this has impacted people and the environment with a slideshow and videos.

The second part of the presentation is presented by past KBO intern and Executive Director of OAMa, Luiza Figueira. She will talk about the development of the bird observatory in Brazil, their research and outreach projects to promote bird conservation.

This presentation is free and is on February 24th, 6 pm – 7 pm PT. Click here to register.

FUNdraiser — Hawks and Ducks Field Trip

Join KBO board members Amanda Alford and Dick Ashford for an all-day outing on March 5th, where we’ll look at everything “the basin” has to offer. Dick and Amanda will plan a route that will give us our best chances of seeing the varied birdlife for which the Klamath Basin is famous. And, we’ll have lots of fun doing it!

Our KBO FUNdraising events are being offered with Covid safety as our primary concern. Proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. To ensure a Covid-safe, quality experience, we are limiting field trip offerings to a small number of 4-PERSON CAR PODS. One donor will be able to purchase a 1-car ticket for a total of four people to include family members or close friends who make up that donor’s Covid-safe pod. Social distancing and masking when appropriate will also be required. More details about KBO’s Covid-safe guidelines will be provided upon registration.

Click here to register for this all day event.

Bird Conmigo

Join Klamath Bird Observatory for free bilingual bird walks in Medford. We will be exploring local parks highlighting that you do not need to travel far to enjoy birds. For each bird walk, we will cover the basics of birding and introduce you to birds of the Rogue Valley. Making it perfect for beginner birders. You will be able to take the skills and knowledge learned to bird watch in your own backyard. KBO will be providing binoculars and bird guides during the event. An adventure for the whole familia!

Dates and Locations

March 5th, 10 am – 11 am, Bear Creek Park
April 2nd, 10 am – 11 am, Fichtner Mainwaring Park
May 7th, 10 am – 11 am, Holmes Park
June 4th, 10 am – 11 am, Prescott Park

Click here to learn more and to register!

FUNdraiser — Ducks & Hawks Field Trip

Written by Elva Manquera on February 15, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Trips & Events.

You aren’t going to want to miss this waterfowl and raptor adventure!

This trip will be limited to just three cars (plus the leaders). 1-car tickets (for to up four people per car) is $200 per car for each donor’s Covid-safe pod of family and/or close friends. Email Amanda to sign up for this event, amandabalford@gmail.com.

Our KBO FUNdraising events are being offered with Covid safety as our primary concern. Proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. To ensure a Covid-safe, quality experience, we are limiting field trip offerings to a small number of 4-PERSON CAR PODS. One donor will be able to purchase a 1-car ticket for a total of four people to include family members or close friends who make up that donor’s Covid-safe pod. Social distancing and masking when appropriate will also be required. More details about KBO’s Covid-safe guidelines will be provided upon registration.

KBO relies on private donations to further our mission of advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. By attending KBO FUNdraising events, you help to support KBO’s efforts. So, if you love birds, believe in birds as indicators of environmental wellbeing, and want to support KBO’s science-driven bird conservation mission, please register for this FUNdraising event today! We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our Fall Series FUNdraising events.

To stay tuned for more details about KBO FUNdraising and community education events:

Many thanks to our KBO 2021 Community Education Sponsors

Vesper Sparrow Stephens flipped cropped (72dpi 11x17)

Did you miss Uncovering the Oregon Vesper Sparrow Talk?

Written by Elva Manquera on February 11, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Conservation.

Thank you to the Salem Audubon Society for recording Sarah’s most recent talk on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Sarah shared some recent research on this unique at-risk subspecies, including what we’ve learned from detailed nesting studies and new migration tracking technology (Motus).

You can watch the recording here.

Click here to learn even more about Klamath Bird Observatory’s research on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow.

Bird Conmigo

Written by Elva Manquera on February 10, 2022. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, KBO Education.

Join Klamath Bird Observatory for bilingual bird walks in Medford. We will be exploring local parks highlighting that you do not need to travel far to enjoy birds. For each bird walk, we will cover the basics of birding and introduce you to birds of the Rogue Valley. Making it perfect for beginner birders. You will be able to take the skills and knowledge learned to bird watch in your own backyard. KBO will be providing binoculars and bird guides during the event. An adventure for the whole family!

A take-home Spanish bird guide will be available.

Due to COVID- 19 masks are required.

Dates and Locations

March 5th, 10 am – 11 am, Bear Creek Park
April 2nd, 10 am – 11 am, Fichtner Mainwaring Park
May 7th, 10 am – 11 am, Holmes Park
June 4th, 10 am – 11 am, Prescott Park

Click here to register.