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Author: KBO

What exactly is a bird’s eye view of the forest?

This post first appeared on Rogue Forest Partners.

At Klamath Bird Observatory, we frequently tell the story of birds knowing our forests better than we do. Using birds as indicators, we’ve applied our science across the diverse and beautiful Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion to understand the ecological change from a bird’s perspective and used that information to inform conservation planning and restoration design. But what exactly is a bird’s eye view of the forest? When we see a forest, we see trees, shrubs, and grasses; we notice how dense the vegetation grows and how old the trees are. Birds see all of these things too, but individual species also hone in on specific features—snags, downed logs, openness or tightness of a canopy, the size of the patch of forest, or how close it is to a stream. We already use much of what we know about birds and habitats in conservation planning. Our work with the Rogue Forest Partners has provided a recent application for using birds as indicators in planning for the future health of our forests.

With new statistical tools, we can more effectively picture what a bird “sees” and how habitat is distributed across a landscape. Distribution modeling is the process by which a dataset of bird presences and absences from multiple surveys is paired with data about the landscape where the surveys took place. We get data about the landscape from satellite imagery known as Landsat, which measures and reports the reflected light, like a photo, but using more wavelengths, including some invisible to the human eye. “Species-centered” distribution modeling (named for its focus on what the bird sees in the landscape, instead of how people quantify it into vegetation types) uses the information from the surveys and data from the Landsat images to determine what features of the landscape best predict whether a species will be found there.

Unlike simply measuring bird presence directly with a survey, the species-centered models allow researchers to study larger areas and glean more information about where the potential habitat for a species is most likely to occur, even in places where surveys haven’t taken place or where the forest habitat features have not been quantified.

Once the models are created, they have a multitude of applications. A recent study by KBO scientists in partnership with OSU used species-centered distribution models “stacked” on top of one another to understand the effects of habitat fragmentation on bird diversity.

Species-centered distribution models can also help us understand the broad landscape-scale impact of disturbances such as wildfire or restoration treatments such as prescribed thinning and burning.

Black-Throated Gray Warbler Photo (c) Frank Lospalluto

Since data from Landsat images are available every year, KBO scientists are beginning to test how species-centered distribution models can be applied to assess the effects of restoration treatments on bird habitat over time. For example, we have recently applied distribution models to examine a natural disturbance and recent restoration work in the Rogue Basin. The Quartz Fire, which burned in 2001, was studied using point count data in 2015. Using species distribution models and Landsat from the years before and after the fire, we were able to not only confirm results from our bird survey analysis, but also extract more data points to further our work examining differences among bird communities in low, moderate, and high severity burned areas following the fire.

In the Ashland Watershed, we used the models for 41 songbird species and Landsat imagery from 2004 (before any work took place) and 2019 (after the treatments were completed), we were able to quantify how the bird community changed following those treatments and evaluate whether restoration goals were achieved.

The ability to quantify changes in forest conditions using models, instead of solely monitoring birds directly at a given location, offers efficiencies for expanding the scope and scale of existing bird monitoring efforts to assess ecological change in the places we study. Our ongoing collaboration with Rogue Forest Partners provides an immediate, relevant application for the models, as restorative forest treatments are planned for the next decade to make forests more resilient and communities safe from wildfire. We monitor some of these treatments with bird surveys, but models provide another way to quantify that change across large landscapes that would be financially and logistically challenging to survey directly.

Over time, we can also measure how the forest grows back year after year and assess how bird habitat develops. For example, are the indicator species we expected to see following treatments likely to be there now? Are some species likely to occur in some areas that received a particular ecological thinning prescription more than other areas with a different approach? Does the presence of a species depend on how much of the landscape was treated? By asking these kinds of questions, distribution models provide “snapshots” of the ongoing restoration work that is vitally needed in our forests, help biologists assess habitat change over time, and inform the design and implementation of future restoration treatments.

Contributed by KBO’s Caitlyn Gillespie

Bird Monitoring in the Upper Applegate Watershed

This post first appeared on Rogue Forest Partners.

The Upper Applegate Watershed, located south of Ruch in Jackson County, Oregon, is a 52,000-acre USFS and BLM planning area among the region’s highest priorities for forest restoration. As part of a new project led by Rogue Forest Partners, over 18,000 acres of forested lands in the Upper Applegate Watershed are receiving restoration treatments over the next few years. Project benefits include improved forest health, protecting the surrounding communities from wildfire, and supporting climate resilience to mixed conifer forests that host many species of plants and animals.

To help monitor the ongoing restoration in the Upper Applegate Watershed, Rogue Forest Partners are working with Klamath Bird Observatory to study how the bird community responds to the forest restoration. KBO has a successful track record of studying the effects of restoration actions on bird communities, for example, oak restoration and riparian restoration. Similar to this previous work, KBO has designed a scientific study that uses both treatment and control areas (i.e., areas of the forest where there will be no management) to measure how the restoration treatments influence bird communities.

Birds are excellent indicators of forest structure and plant composition changes because they respond quickly to change, have known habitat associations in western forests, and are relatively cost-effective to monitor. In the case of the restoration activities in the Upper Applegate Watershed, scientists can track the presence and abundance of species such as Lazuli Bunting and Nashville Warbler to monitor increases in understory habitat. They can also observe other species such as Pacific-slope Flycatcher or Black-throated Gray Warbler to assess the increased proportion of large trees and canopy cover of hardwood species in mixed-conifer deciduous forest.

In 2021, KBO scientists completed bird surveys at treatment and control points within the Upper Applegate Watershed before any restoration work started on the ground. The surveys documented over 50 species. Once treatments conclude, KBO will go back to monitor these same points in a few years to see how the bird communities have changed.

Knowing how birds respond to treatments will help scientists better understand the overall effect of the restoration on achieving improved forest health and resilience and serve as a valuable tool for planning future projects in the area.

The Rogue Forest Partners are working with communities, government agencies, and other organizations to plan much-needed forest restoration in strategic locations to transform forested landscapes of the Rogue Basin in the next decade. Bird monitoring can help inform these projects to confirm that treatments are accomplishing the restoration goals or adjust as needed to provide healthy, resilient forest habitat for wildlife and people for decades to come.

Contributed by KBO’s Caitlyn Gillespie

Join the FUN: Two last events in KBO’s 2021 FUNdraising series

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Board of Directors invites you to the last two events of KBO’s 2021 FUNdraising series. Our board has developed this new, fun, engaging, and safe approach to FUNdraising, with board members hosting a variety of online and smaller in-person events. We have two events left in December, so please join the FUN!


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

Wild Birds Unlimited 72 PPI 4xX

 

Sing, Fly, Soar, and Cartoon — Like a Bird (A KBO FUNdraising Workshop)

LEARN HOW TO DRAW AN ANIMATION OF SNOOPY AND HIS FEATHERED PAL WOODSTOCK

This Klamath Bird Observatory FUNdraising workshop and World Migratory Bird Day event will be held via Zoom on December 16, 2021, at 5:30 PM Pacific Standard Time. The workshop is sponsored by Partners in Flight (PIF), with all proceeds from this event supporting the PIF International Bird Conservation Initiative.

Klamath Bird Observatory invites you to this special holiday workshop, Sing, Fly, Soar, and Cartoon — Like a Bird. Use your creativity to express your appreciation for birds and nature with this special webinar presented by KBO Board Member, former PEANUTS director, and accomplished animator, Larry Leichliter. During Larry’s live-action tutorial, you can try your hand at creating a simple animation of Snoopy, the lovable canine character from the PEANUTS cartoon, and his feathered pal Woodstock. The tutorial will be followed by live Q & A. We recommend that you have several sheets of your favorite paper and a pencil, pen, or any other drawing instrument handy.

Registration is open to an unlimited number of participants. Since this is a FUNdraising event, we ask registrants to make a donation of their choice. Use the form below to register for our workshop, Sing, Fly, Soar, and Cartoon — Like a Bird.

We are also offering this workshop free of charge, upon request – please eMail KBO by CLICKING HERE to request a discount code that will allow you to register without making a donation.


Larry Leichliter board member bio (72ppi 4x)Larry Leichliter is an American animator and director who began his work in animation in 1975 with the made-for-TV film You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown. Throughout his career, he has worked on Peanuts animated television films; Larry has also contributed to other successful animated series including Nickelodeon’s ChalkZone and The Mighty B!, as well as Cartoon Network’s Time Squad, Squirrel Boy, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Sym-Bionic Titan, and Adventure Time.


Partners in Flight (PIF) is a dynamic and welcoming network of more than 150 partner organizations distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere. We are engaged in all aspects of land bird conservation from science, research, planning, and policy development, to land management, monitoring, education, and outreach. We are all dedicated to PIF’s simple, proactive mission — Keeping common birds common and helping species at risk through voluntary partnerships.


Work World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.


REGISTRATION

Registration is open to an unlimited number of participants. Because this is a FUNdraining event, we ask registrants to make a donation of your choice.  Use this form to register for the Sing, Fly, Soar, and Cartoon — Like a Bird KBO FUNdraising workshop. CLICK HERE to request a discount code that will allow you to register without making a donation.


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 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!

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


Many thanks to our KBO 2021 Community Education Sponsors

Wild Birds Unlimited 72 PPI 4xX

KBO FUNdraiser: 2-Part Winter Hawk Identification Workshop — A Raptor ID Presentation and Field Trip hosted by Dick Ashford & Amanda Alford

Join us on Saturday, December 11th, for an all-day RAPTOR-FINDING excursion to the picturesque Klamath Basin! Dick Ashford and Amanda Alford will share their enthusiasm of, and knowledge about, “our” wintering raptors during this always-popular field trip. Dick will present a raptor identification class via Zoom prior to the outing on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 PM.

Zoom Workshop: Thursday Dec 9th, 2021 at 6:oo PM
Field Trip: Saturday Dec 11th, 2021, at 7:45 AM

Three 1-car tickets (for to up four people per car) will be offered at $500 per ticket for each donor’s Covid-safe pod of family and/or close friends (see below for details about field trips and pod cars).

REGISTRATION

KBO supporters are invited to purchase a limited number of 1-car tickets (for up to four people per car) . 1-car tickets are priced at $500. Each ticket buyer can invite three additional family members or close friends to form a 1-car Covid-safe pod. CLICK HERE to register for the field trip via eMail to Dick Ashford (please type Hawk ID Registration in the subject field). Checks for this tax-deductible donation can be made out to KBO and mailed to Dick Ashford, 2705 Takelma Way, Ashland OR 97520. Upon receipt of the check, registrants will be fully signed up for this 2-part workshop.


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

This Thursday Night: Birding the Klamath Refuges (A sliding scale KBO FUNdraiser hosted by Shannon Rio)

Shannon Rio,Join us this Thursday evening, November 11th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Shannon Rio, KBO board President, will offer a Zoom presentation focused on acquainting people with birding on the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife refuges. Register now!

Klamath Marsh rainbow with Geese. Photo by Kirk Gooding

Because this drought year has been especially difficult for the refuges, knowing where to see birds can be a challenge. Shannon will orient participants with where to go birding; you will learn the layout of the the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake refuges and the locations of different birding “hotspots” on the refuges. Participants will receive refuge maps, for your future future bird watching visits.

REGISTRATION

Registration is open to an unlimited number of registrants. Because this is a FUNdraining event, we ask registrants to make a donation of your choice.  Use this form to register for the Birding the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake Zoom presentation.


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 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

KBO FUNdraiser: Birding the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake Refuges (hosted by Shannon Rio) — A Zoom Presentation and Field Trip

Shannon Rio,This 2-part FUNdrasining event, hosted by KBO Board President Shannon Rio, includes a Zoom presentation and a field trip. Shannon will focus on acquainting people with birding on the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife refuges.

Photo by Jim-Livaudais

Because this drought year has been especially difficult for the refuges, knowing where to see birds can be a challenge. During this 2-part event Shannon will orient participants with where to go birding  — you will learn the layout of the the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake refuges and the locations of different birding “hotspots” on the refuges. Participants will receive refuge maps. Shannon’s intention for this 2-part FUNdraising event is to orient participants, for your future bird watching visits.

The Zoom presentation will be held on Thursday, November 11th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and participation will be unlimited. The follow-up field trip will be held on Sunday, November 14th, leaving Ashland at 8:00 AM, and returning by 6:00 PM, with limited registration.

No birding experience necessary.

REGISTRATION

KBO supporters are invited to purchase a limited number of 1-car tickets (for up to four people per car) for the Sunday, November 14th field trip. 1-car tickets are priced at $240. Each ticket buyer can invite three additional family members or close friends to form a 1-car Covid-safe pod. CLICK HERE to register for the field trip via eMail to Shannon Rio (please type Field Trip Registration in the subject field). Cars will stay connected by walkie talkie. Binoculars will be made available upon request. Not much in the way of walking; however we will be out of the cars often. Bring lunch and plan to have a grand time. Field Trip registrants will automatically be registered for the Zoom presentation.

Registration for the Thursday, November 11th Zoom presentation is open to an unlimited number of registrants. Because this is a FUNdraining event, we ask registrants to make a donation of their choice.  Use this form to register for the Birding the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake Zoom presentation.


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

Garden Party with String Quartet & Guitar Duo, a KBO FUNdraiser (RESCHEDULED)

Come join us for our spring afternoon KBO FUNdraiser of live music on Saturday, April 30 (NEW DATE) at Grizzly Peak Winery. Enjoy the sounds of a string quartet with musicians Beth Martin, Bari Frimkess, Emily Severson and Doug Fong, and guitar duo of Craig Martin and Tim Church as you meander through this beautiful Ashland property. An array of tasty finger foods will be offered throughout the afternoon, as well as wine and other beverages.

To register contact — Bari Frimkess at 541-292-6749 or bari.frimkess@gmail.com

Cost — $75 per person          Maximum attendees — 50


Our KBO FUNdraising events are being offered with Covid safety as our primary concern. Proof of vaccination will be required. 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 event, you help to support KBO’s efforts. So, if you love birds, believe in birds as indicators of environmental wellbeing, want to support KBO’s science-driven bird conservation mission, please register for this event 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 being planned for this fall and winter:


Many thanks to our KBO 2021 Community Education Sponsors

KBO’s 2021-2022 FUNdraising Campaign — Fall Series

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Board of Directors have developed a new, fun, engaging, and safe approach to FUNdraising. They have collaborated to offer KBO supporters a variety of smaller group events, each of which to be hosted by one or two of our Board members. After the successful summer series, we are excited to announce our next suite of events.


Garden Party with String Quartet & Guitar Duo, hosted by Bari Frimkess (RESCHEDULED FOR SRING 2021; CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO)

Join us for an afternoon outdoor KBO fundraiser of live music, food, and beverages, Saturday, April 30 (NEW DATE) at Grizzly Peak Winery. Music will be provided by both a local string quartet and a popular guitar duo. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and other beverages will be provided. Registration for this FUNdraising event is NOW OPEN, with more details to come early next week.

To register contact — Bari Frimkess at 541-292-6749 or bari.frimkess@gmail.com

Cost — $75 per person          Maximum attendees — 25


Birding the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake — A Zoom Presentation and Field Trip hosted by Shannon Rio (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO)

This presentation and field trip will focus on acquainting people with birding on the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges. The Zoom presentation will be held on Thursday, November 11th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, with a follow-up field trip Sunday, November 14th, leaving Ashland at 8:00 AM, and returning by 6:00 PM. KBO supporters will be invited to purchase a limited number of 1-car tickets (for up to four people per car) as a Covid-safe pod of family and close friends (see below for details about field trips and pod cars). Zoom-only registration may also be available. Stay tuned for more information and registration details.


Winter Hawk Identification Workshop — A Raptor ID Presentation and Field Trip hosted by Dick Ashford and Amanda Alford (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFOR)

Photo by Zach Dautrich
Photo by Zach Dautrich

Join us on Saturday, December 11th, for an all-day RAPTOR-FINDING excursion to the picturesque Klamath Basin! Dick Ashford and Amanda Alford will share their enthusiasm of, and knowledge about, “our” wintering raptors during this always-popular field trip. Dick will present a raptor identification class via Zoom prior to the outing on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 PM. Three 1-car tickets (for to up four people per car) will be offered at $500 per ticket for each donor’s Covid-safe pod of family and close friends (see below for details about field trips and pod cars). Stay tuned for more information and registration details.


Special Holiday Webinar — Learn to animate Snoopy with former PEANUTS Director Larry Leichliter

We are proud to offer this exclusive webinar with KBO Board Member, former PEANUTS director, and accomplished animator Larry Leichliter. During Larry’s live-action tutorial, you can try your hand at creating a simple animation of Snoopy, the lovable canine character from the PEANUTS cartoon, and his feathered pal Woodstock. The tutorial will be followed by a live Q & A. this FUNdraising webinar will be offered in December. More information and registration details to come.


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 and 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.

Stay tuned for more details about these and other events that are being planned as part of KBO’s Fall Series FUNdraising Campaign. CLICK HERE to keep up to date on KBO’s news and events by subscribing to receive KBO’s Klamath Call Note Blog via eMail. To see our most recent news and events CLICK HERE and view the latest Klamath Call Note Blog posts.

KBO relies on private donations to further our mission of advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education and partnerships. By attending one or more of these events, you will help KBO achieve its goals. So, if you love birds and believe in birds as indicators of environmental well being, sign up and donate! We look forward to seeing you at our special Fall Series FUNdraising events.

 

 

Oak Landowner Guide Available Now!

A popular free outreach publication authored by Klamath Bird Observatory and Lomakatsi Restoration Project that provides guidance for private landowners interested in implementing oak habitat restoration on their land, originally published in 2015 , has been re-printed with some minor updates and is available now. The document, entitled Restoring Oak Habitats in Southern Oregon and Northern California: A Guide for Private Landowners, emerged from a collaborative project involving a suite of private and public conservation partners, including the Bureau of Land Management (Medford District), US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Klamath Basin Audubon Society, Oregon State University, American Bird Conservancy, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Understory Initiative, and Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network.

The landowner guide provides detailed oak restoration guidelines for achieving desired conditions in oak stands, such as diverse habitat structures, large oak trees, and the presence of snags, downed wood native shrubs and perennial grasses. The guide also includes supplemental resources for private landowners, including a list of organizations that will assist with private lands restoration as well as step-by-step instructions for monitoring birds to track the return of native wildlife following oak restoration activities. The new printing also includes some new information about oak chaparral habitats, based on new research that focused on determining how chaparral patch size influences the habitat for chaparral-associated birds.

The landowner guide is available for free download on Avian Knowledge Northwest here.