Klamath Call Note

It’s that time of year! Please join longtime KBO board member Dick Ashford for our first hawk watching outing of the season. Low water conditions on the Klamath Basin refuges mean we’ll have our best opportunities by visiting ranchlands, specifically those in Butte Valley and the lower Basin. There are no guarantees (it’s a natural show), but Dick will have scouted the areas beforehand to locate the best spots. If the birds are there, we’ll find ‘em! We’ll depart Ashland at 8 AM on Saturday, Nov 19th, and return around 5-ish. In order to provide everyone with the best possible experience, attendance will be limited. Therefore, we will carpool (a must!) in 4 vehicles of 4 people each. Because this outing is so popular (Hawks have charisma!), early signup is recommended.

A newly released State of the Birds report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. Historically we have demonstrated that investment in bird conservation can pay off – for example, we have recovered at-risk species like waterfowl and the Peregrine Falcons by focused resources and efforts. However, North American populations continue to show widespread declines. In the west, forest-dependent and wetland birds are both showing a more recent decline that is of grave concern.

Each year, Klamath Bird Observatory offers a Conservation Stamp Set for purchase with proceeds supporting both national and regional conservation efforts. The 2022-2023 Conservation Science Stamp tells the story of the Balck-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens), a migratory bird that breeds in Pacific Northwest oak-conifer habitats and winters in oak-pine and cloud forest habitats in western Mexico and Central America. Proceeds from this year’s Science Stamp support our international bird banding program. By purchasing this year’s Conservation Science Stamp you are supporting international bird conservation partnerships, monitoring, and education. Purchase yours today!

Our last outing to Upper Klamath Lake filled up so fast that Shannon decided to host a second one! This will be a day of casual birding, easy walking with short distances, and exploring the beautiful Upper Klamath area. Our itinerary will start at the Rite Aid parking lot in Ashland at 7:30 am. Our first stop will be Rocky Point on Klamath Lake to check out water birds and then we will walk the road to see and hear forest birds. From there we will drive to Kimball State Park to view the turquoise headwaters of the Wood River eat lunch and do more birding. The next stop is the Wood River day-use area where we will be walking its short trails. Possible sightings are red-breasted nuthatch, white-headed woodpecker, bald eagle, song sparrow, great blue heron, and possibly a fall migrant. Bring bino’s, cameras, lunch, clothes for layering (higher elevation will be cooler temps), and drink. Date: October 22nd, leaving Ashland at 7:30 am. Registration required.

Join Klamath Bird Observatory and Vesper Meadow Education Program for the premiere of the short film “From the Field – A Study of the Oregon Vesper Sparrow” by Dan Thiede. We will hear from Program Director Jeanine Moy about the restoration work and connection to the community being done at Vesper Meadow. Then Dr. Sarah Rockwell will give a brief talk about the research KBO is conducting on the Oregon Vesper Sparrow, followed by a short walk in Vesper Meadow to a Motus node. The afternoon will conclude with a showing of the film, with time afterward for discussion and questions. Come learn about this little brown bird and experience one of the beautiful places it calls home! Registration is required.

We are in the midst of fall migration and it is a great time to start birding. Join board member Amanda Alford for a Beginner Birder Talk and Walk where she will introduce you to birding basics. Birding benefits your mood, your psychological well-being, your mental health, and your cognitive functioning. Learn how to begin your birding journey or how to get back to your basics. The talk is a hybrid with the in-person happening at the Klamath Bird Observatory office. The walk will be at Bear Creek Park. Share with your friends or bring a friend! Register Today!

This will be a day of casual birding, easy walking with short distances, and exploring the beautiful Upper Klamath area. Our itinerary will start us off at the Rite Aid parking lot in Ashland at 7:30 am on September 25th. Our first stop will be Rocky Point on Klamath Lake to check out water birds and then we will walk the road to see and hear forest birds. From there we will drive to Kimball State Park to view the turquoise headwaters of the Wood River eat lunch and do more birding. The next stop is the nearby Wood River day-use area where we will be walking its short trails. Possible sightings are red-breasted nuthatch, white-headed woodpecker, bald eagle, song sparrow, great blue heron, and possibly a fall migrant. Aspens may treat us to fall colors! Bring bino’s, cameras, lunch, clothes for layering (higher elevation will be cooler temps), and your drink.

Fall migration is in full swing. Come see it in person and up close at KBO’s banding station in Crater Lake. You will get to meet our amazing and knowledgeable banding crew, learn about the science behind banding, and of course, see birds up close. There isn’t a better way to close out the summer. The banding station is welcoming visitors every Tuesday through September. 

We are excited to announce that the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network (KSON) has received funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)’s Focused Investment Partnerships grant program for the Little Butte Oak Initiative. KSON partners plan to restore 2,480 acres of oak habitat within the Little Butte Creek Watershed and Table Rocks using ecological thinning, prescribed fire, noxious weed abatement, and native understory planting.

Our board of directors volunteer their time and experience to help us care for the Klamath Bird Observatory. In that light, Lisa Michelbrink has shown exemplary leadership over the last few years. Always rolling up her sleeves and taking on whatever job needs to be done. These jobs include large scale fundraising events, leading the transition of our fundraising through the pandemic, and actively engaging with the bird banding program. For this, we are excited to award Lisa the 2021 Bullock’s Rose Oriole Award.