Klamath Call Note

Klamath Bird Observatory has partnered with artists to create an annual Conservation Science Stamp for many years. This stamp is sold with the Federal Duck Stamp to support ALL of bird conservation for $40. The funds from the Conservation Science Stamp support KBO’s mission – advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships.

Take a trip to the Upper Klamath to a KBO banding station on Friday, July 21st. There you will get to meet this year’s banding crew and learn about the importance of bird banding. The fee from this FUNdraiser helps pay for the cost of running our six banding stations. This event is a family-friendly event.

KBO is now a part of the BottleDrop Nonprofits program. Thanks to BottleDrop, you can recycle your cans and bottles and then donate the deposit received to your favorite nonprofit (KBO). All you need is a free BottleDrop account, and you can start donating your recycling today. We explain the steps on how to set up a BottleDrop account, where you can drop off your recycling, and how to donate to KBO.

Join KBO’s bird banding team in the field on July 21st, for a bird banding experience. This is a unique opportunity to meet some of our scientists in a small group setting, learn about bird banding and see some of Oregon’s birds up close. You will experience a beautiful Upper Klamath Lake field station and observe live-action science, including mist netting and data collection. This is an excellent introduction to science in the field for kids and young adults (as well as great for non-birders, almost birders, and fully-fledged birders). Come and have fun in the field with us!

Bird Conmigo provides Spanish/English bilingual bird walks at Bear Creek Park. Birding is a great family activity; these walks are great for bird likers at any level. This is a free event, and binoculars are available. Join us this Saturday, June 17th, at 9 am. Bird Conmigo ofrece recorridos de observación de aves con guías bilingües en Español/Inglés, los recorridos serán en el parque Bear Creek. La observación de aves es una actividad ideal para hacerse en familia y estos recorridos son excelentes para todos aquellos que disfrutan las aves. Este evento es gratuito y habrá binoculares disponibles para préstamo. Acompáñanos este sábado 17 de Junio a las 9 am.

The long search is over. KBO is thrilled to announce our new Science Director, Ryan Terrill. Ryan grew up birding in the Santa Cruz mountains of central California and has a life-long interest in birds. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz and his Ph.D. in Biology from Louisiana State University, where his thesis focused on understanding how avian molt strategies interact with evolution over time. Click below to read more about Ryan and his role at KBO.

Whether you’re a newcomer to the region or an old-timer, participate in a fun- and information-filled auto tour led by a renowned birder and KBO board president Shannon Rio and historian/author Jeff LaLande. The car-pool route will include various “History Stops” (but relatively little actual walking) at such important places as Railroad Tunnel #13, the old Siskiyou Pass, Grouse Gap shelter (just past Mt. Ashland), the 1850s-1860s “Mountain House” stage stop, the 1846 Applegate Trail, the Hill-Dunn cemetery, and other spots – returning the “back way” (through the upper-most Bear Creek Valley) to Ashland by mid-afternoon.

This walking and birding outing will take us to Upper Klamath Lake for spring migrants and water birds. After exploring that area, we will visit Fort Klamath to picnic and bird and walk the Wood River Day Use Area. Expect to see White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, White-headed Woodpeckers, and many other mountain species. Also, expect glorious views of the lake and the landscape at this elevation of 4-5000 feet. Saturday, June 3rd, 7:30 am – 5 pm.

Join Kevin Spencer for three days in the Klamath Basin. Trip dates are June 9th, 10th, & 11th, with two nights and two full days covering forest, riparian, and wetland habitats in the northern Klamath Basin. Those areas include the Klamath NWR area and the Wood River Valley around Fort Klamath. There is the potential for seeing or hearing more than 140 species of birds in beautiful settings, including night/evening outings for nocturnal birds. Accommodations: in a house (with a sleeping bag on either bed, couch, or personal air mattress) both nights. Showers and restroom for use at the end of the day. Group dinners will be planned for both nights (to accommodate the group for the dinner meal); otherwise, participants will be on their own for other meals/snacks.

Join Klamath Bird Observatory for birding this summer. We have a variety of trips available, and all bird likers welcome. Shannon will be taking a trip to the Klamath area on June 3rd 7:30 am – 5 pm. We are also excited to announce this summer’s bilingual bird walk series happening at Bear Creek Park in Medford. Lastly, don’t forget to mark you calendars for “Up to the Siskiyou Crest (and Back)”: A History-and-Birding Auto Tour, happening July 2nd. Registration for the history tour will open in early June. Registration for the bird tour in Klamath and Bird Conmigo are open NOW.