Klamath Bird Observatory is going on a 4-day trip to Burbank, California, where we will explore the wonders of Bear Divide led by Dr. Ryan Terrill, April 24th – 27th, 2024. There are only a handful of places in the United States where you get to experience bird migration in a new way. Calling Bear Divide a migratory hot spot would be an understatement. Every year — roughly between March 15 and June 15, with peak migration between April 10 and May 20 — thousands of birds funnel through the narrow pass.
Join KBO’s Science Director for an avian awe-inspiring experience, a spectacle of spring bird migration that is on full display at Bear Divide in the western San Gabriel Mountains. Bear Divide’s topography is a funnel for long-distance migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. Visitors and scientists can see and study migratory birds up close and personal.
These gloomy days have us at Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) looking forward to a sunny summer. Especially during the ten days, we will spend in Brazil exploring the culture, eating local food, hiking through beautiful scenery, and learning about the native fauna. This trip not only will feel good on your skin, but it will make your heart feel good. By traveling to Brazil, you will be supporting Mantiquera Bird Observatory’s (OAMa) banding program for an entire year and KBO’s intern exchange program.
Join us for a delightful evening with KBO and Mantiquera Bird Observatory (OAMa) at a potluck on November 30th from 4 to 7 pm. Discover the incredible work OAMa is accomplishing in Brazil for bird conservation as founder Luiza shares the importance of international partnerships. Engage in lively conversations with KBO staff and board members, and be the first to learn about the exciting 2023 fundraising trip to Brazil and the plans for 2024. And there’s more! Look forward to a special guest appearance by the neighborhood screech-owl. This is a free, in-person event located at 114 Granite St., Ashland, OR. Come savor delicious food, make new friends, and immerse yourself in captivating stories. We can’t wait to share this enriching experience with you!
November 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 on Nov 4th for a fun, day-long hawk-watching outing to Butte Valley and the lower Klamath Basin. We’ll look for resident and early-wintering hawks, falcons, eagles, and harriers (and there are possibilities for an owl or two 😊). We’ll depart Ashland at 8 AM and return around 5ish. Limited to 12 attendees, $40 per person. This will allow us to carpool (a must!) in 4 vehicles. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the Field Of Wonder!
Please join KBO board members Dick Ashford and Amanda Alford for a hawk-finding outing to beautiful Scott Valley, CA! October should show the early signs of raptor migration in the area; we will search for newly arrived migrants, birds just passing through, and local residents.
You are not going to want to miss this month’s events. We have Harry Fuller joining us in the KBO office for a hybrid presentation on Great Grey Owls. His elusive Great Grey Owl book and newly published Birding Harney County will be available for purchase. This talk is happening September 22nd at 6 pm. Haven’t made it out to the banding station this year? We have one more outing to KBO’s Upper Klamath banding station on September 28th. Fall migration is in full swing giving us the opportunity to catch some fascinating migrants like golden crown and white crown sparrows, Wilson warblers, and Nashville warblers. The Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network quarterly meeting is on September 21st from 1 – 2:30 p.m. (virtual). It will feature a presentation by Wyatt Williams, Invasive Species Specialist with the Forest Health Unit of Oregon Department of Forestry. Wyatt will be presenting on the Mediterranean oak borer, a pest of oaks, and its arrival to Oregon.
Although maybe not as exciting as having an actual “time machine,” KBO Board member Jeff LaLande (archaeologist and historian) will again offer a “Walk Into Ashland’s Past.” It was over a year ago that Jeff first offered this event. It proved to be very popular.
You will walk through the site of the Shasta Indians’ village, where the Plaza is now, and through the town’s changes — from initial settlement by White Americans in the 1850s to the present time. This history walk is meant to enrich your own experience of the town. (Plus, all of your $$$ go to KBO!)
Choose to join one of the two “history walks”: October 7th and October 14th. Both walks will follow the same route, each lasting about three hours. The walk will be followed by the enjoyment of your choice of a “cheerful beverage” and snack at a downtown eatery — Jeff is picking up the tab.
Join us for this extraordinary final family-friendly bird banding outing of the year! This fundraiser for our renowned banding program includes an opportunity to meet and chat with KBO’s new Banding Program Manager, Lucinda Zawadski, PhD., Martín López Aguilar from Mexico, and the KBO interns. You will learn about the importance and unique contribution of bird banding to science and see some of Oregon’s birds up close. You will also get to experience one of our field stations on beautiful Upper Klamath Lake and observe science in action, including mist netting and data collection, AND interact with the biologists. After the field station visit, we have a unique opportunity to bird from the deck of Rocky Point Resort with Lucinda and Martín, with light refreshments provided by Rocky Point. WHEN: Thursday, September 28th, 6:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. (inclusive of drive time to and from Ashland).
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. The dates are September 11th, 18th, and 25th and the fee is $0-$100 donation.
