Community Science

Join Klamath Bird Observatory and the eBird NW Steering Committee to learn more about a new community science project, Project Phoenix on August 23rd at noon PCT. In the age of mega-fires, people and wildlife are increasingly exposed to hazardous smoke. Although birds are highly sensitive to air pollution, we know very little about how smoke affects birds. Learning more is critical to inform bird conservation in a rapidly warming world and you can help us.

We are thrilled to be out in the community today bringing people together in support of bird conservation. Spreading awareness of this year’s message about protecting birds and protecting insects. Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions. Overpopulation of certain insects, without natural predators from birds, can also cause outbreaks that damage plant health and agriculture. You can help us by donating to KBO today. Your donation supports not only our community outreach but also our high-caliber science. There are several different ways that you can donate to KBO. 

The Bear Creek Community Bird Survey (BCCBS) has been an ongoing community science project for the past two years, 2021-2022. This survey aims to measure riparian bird abundance along Bear Creek between Ashland and Central Point, OR. These surveys are completed year-round, but data collected during the breeding season are KBO’s current focus of analysis. The results of this effort will be combined with other metrics collected by RRWC or other partners (water quality parameters, fish abundance, fish habitat accessibility, affordable housing, air quality, etc.) to create a Rogue River Basin Report Card that will be useful for tracking watershed and community conditions, as well as for community outreach.

Klamath Bird Observatory has been working with Vesper Meadow to engage and educate the community on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Vesper Meadow created two educational videos on the work that is being done to help this imperiled species by KBO and other partners. Follow the link to find these videos and learn more about the “little brown job”.

KBO is seeking applicants for two new full time positions — 1) Restoration Ecologist and Partnerships Coordinator and 2) Science Delivery, Communications, Outreach, & DEI Program Manager. We encourage applicants who are interested in science-driven conservation and who want to become a contributing member of our collaborative team of kind, loyal, passionate, supportive, dedicated, and understanding colleagues. 

Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) is excited to offer a new paid internship this summer: The Watchable Wildlife Foundation Science Communication Student Internship. This is the first internship of its kind to be offered by KBO, made possible through a generous grant from the Watchable Wildlife Foundation. The intern will gain firsthand experience in conservation careers, observe and document KBO field activities, and contribute to community science and education that support bird and habitat conservation. This internship will provide an extraordinary experience as the intern explores various careers in conservation and outdoor work and begins to build a professional network that can help them find education and job opportunities in the future.

A recent article in BirdWatching Magazine by Oregonian Marina Richie features high-tech bird tracking projects, including KBO partnership projects that track Vesper Sparrows and Lewis’s Woodpeckers with Motus technology. Click to learn more.