Sunday, May 19th, 8 am-6 pm
Spend the day exploring the wonder of the Klamath Basin and see what migratory and resident birds are there. Emphasis is on observing spring behaviors such as mating and perhaps nest building.
The caravan will be 4 cars. The day will combine driving, viewing from the “blind” of the car, and also visiting the new visitors center. Bring food and liquids, bino’s, and curiosity.
The leader is Shannon Rio.
Join us on August 12th at 9 am for Bird Conmigo. Birding with friends and family is a great way to connect. We will be exploring Bear Creek Park. Many of the birds seen there you can find in your backyard. Klamath Bird Observatory will provide binoculars and Spanish/English guidebooks. This event is free and Spanish/English bilingual.
Acompáñanos este 12 de Agosto a las 9 a.m. en el recorrido de observación de aves Bird Conmigo. Observar aves con amigos y familia es una gran forma de crear vínculos cercanos. Exploraremos el parque Bear Creek, donde encontraremos algunas aves que habitan también en los patios de las casas. Habrá binoculares y guías bilingües en Español/Inglés disponibles para su uso durante el recorrido cortesía de Klamath Bird Observatory. Este evento es gratuito y bilingüe.
Registration is Closed! The trip is Full.
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. 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.
Date: September 25th, leaving Ashland at 7:30 am
This outing is free there is a suggested donation of $20-$100.
We will be carpooling with 4 cars total.
Covid guidelines apply including proof of vaccination.
Shannon Rio is the board president of the Klamath Bird Observatory because of its work to preserve birds and wild places in nature. She is a wildlife educator with a goal to connect people (and herself) with nature so that they will want to protect what they love. She teaches classes in various settings and also teaches yoga, works as a nurse practitioner, is devoted to family and friends, and community, and loves learning anything about the natural world through hiking and birding and sitting quietly observing the wonder of it all.
Ashland Food Co-op (AFC) members will soon be asked to vote for their favorite nonprofits in AFC’s Change for Good Program. Through this program, AFC helps local nonprofits raise money and outreach to the community. Voting takes place 5/24/2022 through 6/6/2022 for MEMBERS ONLY. If you are not a member and are thinking of becoming one, NOW would be a great time to join the Co-op so you can vote https://ashlandfood.coop/become-owner
If you are already a member, watch your email for a ballot during the above dates and vote!
Change for Good is a roundup program offered by the Co-op and helps raise money for local nonprofits when customers donate by rounding up their sales. The eleven nonprofits with the highest votes will secure a month of fundraising and outreach at the Co-op. (The highest vote getters secure the Co-op’s busiest months with more opportunity for fundraising). KBO has been accepted as a candidate for this program, but it is competitive and we need your vote to secure a fundraising month…support KBO by voting. Please also spread the word and post on social media, so that we can reach as many KBO supporters as possible during the voting period. Thank you so much for supporting KBO!
Beginner Bird Walk
Join KBO board member Amanda Alford for a special Talk-and-Walk geared to beginning birders, or anyone wanting to get back to basics. The Talk will include all of Amanda’s best tips for:
The Talk will conclude with an in-depth look at just some of the species we are likely to see during our Walk at North Mountain Park. Come level up your birding skills and gain the confidence you need to have even more fun watching birds!
Talk: Thursday, June 9th, 7 pm at the KBO office at 2425 Siskiyou Blvd in Ashland, with the option of watching via Zoom if you prefer
Walk: Saturday, June 11th, meet at North Mountain Park at 9 am.
Suggest donation of $25.
Click here to register for the Talk and Walk
Click here to register for the talk ONLY.
Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher
Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher is a story of keen observation, curiosity, and revelation in the presence of flowing waters. The kingfisher is linked to the mythic origin of halcyon days, a state of idyllic happiness that author Marina Richie hoped to find outside her back door in her then home of Missoula, Montana.
Little did Marina know her quarry would prove to be a skittish bird, infamous for vanishing around a stream bend. Delving deeper, she embraced tribal stories of the belted kingfisher as messenger and helper, pivotal qualities for a journey extending from one to multiple seasons.
Blunders, epiphanies, and a citizen science discovery punctuated days tracking a bird that outwits at every turn. The female is more colorful than the male (a mystery) and their earthen nest holes are difficult to locate. While the heart of the drama takes place on Rattlesnake Creek, adventures seeking kingfisher kin on the lower Rio Grande, South Africa, and London illuminate her relationships with the birds of her home stream
By spending many hours observing a nesting pair of kingfishers from within a camouflaged blind, her status as a visitor turned to that of a resident. By the forested creek’s edge, she came to terms with the loss of her naturalist father. Here, too, she tapped into her own powers, inspired by the bird of the headfirst plunge and awakening rattle call. With newfound courage, Marina left Missoula to travel as a roving naturalist in her popup camper, and then returned to Oregon (her home state before Montana). The kingfisher remains her muse.
Books are available for purchase at Northwest Nature Shop.
This free webinar is on June 16th, 6 pm – 7 pm.
Come join a KBO biologist and the KBO interns for a bird banding experience out in the field. This is an amazing 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 observe live-action science being done in the morning (mist-netting and data collection) with a light brunch (provided). Afterward, we will bird the scenic Wood River until early afternoon.
WHEN: Friday, June 17th, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (inclusive of drive time to and from Ashland).
WHERE: Upper Klamath Lake
TRIP LEADERS: Lisa Michelbrink and Shannon Rio, KBO Board Members
COST: Space is limited to 5 cars of 4 people each. The cost is $500/car.
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 Spring Series FUNdraising Events.
Klamath Bird Observatory follows CDC guidelines. KBO events are being offered with COVID-19 safety as KBO’s primary concern. Proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. All individuals attending an event must also fill out the Waiver of Liability form that will be emailed to you once you register for the event. Paper copies will be available at the event. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Masks are not required but wear based on comfortability.