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Tag: Birdify Your Yard

Talk and Walk Series: CREATING A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN YOUR BACKYARD

Written by KBO on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Conservation, KBO Education, Trips & Events.

CREATING A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN YOUR BACKYARD
Presented by Karl Schneck, KBO board member

Talk: October 18th Thursday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Karl’s life-long passion for birds has guided the landscaping on his property in the foothills just outside Ashland, Oregon. In this talk, he will present the many ways a backyard can be made more attractive and useful for birds in our region. He will also introduce the feathered neighbors that now live on or have visited his backyard and who will be likely seen during the field trip.

In Karl’s words …
“With 117 species in just over three years, I feel especially grateful for the abundance of birds seen on our property two miles north of I-5 on N. Valley View Road. which consists of several habitats, including riparian, oak woodland, and grasslands. I’ve had quite a few days when I’ve traveled to see the birds and came home wondering why I didn’t just stay at home and see more species (of course, there are benefits to seeing new areas). However, when I get too old to tromp through the forests and swamps, there is comfort in knowing that I can sit on my deck and enjoy a multitude of birds.

We are still in the process of planting and improving our yard habitat for the birds. Watching the hummers feed from our penstemons is one example of adding features for the birds, as well as feeders, water, and shelter. Adding features for specific birds can be rewarding when your target bird shows up. Across the road, Bald Eagles come in to feed on the afterbirth of the cows. This year I had Barn Owl, American Kestrel, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle (about a mile away), Bullock’s Oriole, Brewer’s Blackbird, Western Kingbird, Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, California Towhee, and undoubtedly a number of others I didn’t know about, nesting on the property.

All these birds bring great joy to my life and make a great start to the day when I walk outside in the morning and take them all in. So, my goal for this class is to share my birds with you in a walk and a light lunch, hoping you will enjoy them as much as I do.”

Walk: October 20th Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

This is a field trip to Karl’s property on the edge of Ashland—bring your binoculars! Lunch will be provided (included with registration fee) on Karl’s birdy patio where the birding adventure will continue.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Science Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

KBO TALK AND WALK CLASSES THIS FALL

Written by KBO on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, KBO Education, Trips & Events.

FINDING AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE GREAT GRAY OWL OF THE CASCADES
Presented by Mel Clements

Talk: September 28th Friday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Great Gray Owl photographer Mel Clements will speak on his experience of photographing the Great Gray Owls of the Cascades. The presentation includes an introduction to the Great Gray Owl, its habitat, and the ethics of finding and photographing this magnificent, yet reclusive owl. His talk is accompanied by 43 of his photographs, a five minute dvd set to music, and small exhibit of framed photographs.

Walk: September 29th Saturday 6:30am-1:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

We will leave early so that we can arrive in the Cascade Lakes area at sunrise. Pack a lunch and dress warmly. Morning temperatures are around 37 degrees. Participants will car pool. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! More information about the field trip will be given out during the Friday evening presentation.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

 

CREATING A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN YOUR BACKYARD
Presented by Karl Schneck, KBO board member

Talk: October 18th Thursday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Karl’s life-long passion for birds has guided the landscaping on his property in the foothills just outside Ashland, Oregon. In this talk, he will present the many ways a backyard can be made more attractive and useful for birds in our region. He will also introduce the feathered neighbors that now live on or have visited his backyard and who will be likely seen during the field trip.

In Karl’s words …
“With 117 species in just over three years, I feel especially grateful for the abundance of birds seen on our property two miles north of I-5 on N. Valley View Road. which consists of several habitats, including riparian, oak woodland, and grasslands. I’ve had quite a few days when I’ve traveled to see the birds and came home wondering why I didn’t just stay at home and see more species (of course, there are benefits to seeing new areas). However, when I get too old to tromp through the forests and swamps, there is comfort in knowing that I can sit on my deck and enjoy a multitude of birds.

We are still in the process of planting and improving our yard habitat for the birds. Watching the hummers feed from our penstemons is one example of adding features for the birds, as well as feeders, water, and shelter. Adding features for specific birds can be rewarding when your target bird shows up. Across the road, Bald Eagles come in to feed on the afterbirth of the cows. This year I had Barn Owl, American Kestrel, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle (about a mile away), Bullock’s Oriole, Brewer’s Blackbird, Western Kingbird, Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, California Towhee, and undoubtedly a number of others I didn’t know about, nesting on the property.

All these birds bring great joy to my life and make a great start to the day when I walk outside in the morning and take them all in. So, my goal for this class is to share my birds with you in a walk and a light lunch, hoping you will enjoy them as much as I do.”

Walk: October 20th Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

This is a field trip to Karl’s property on the edge of Ashland—bring your binoculars! Lunch will be provided (included with registration fee) on Karl’s birdy patio where the birding adventure will continue.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

 

And previously announced:

THE ART OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

September 19, Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm at 320 Beach Street in Ashland

Presented by Karl Schneck, nature photographer and KBO board member

Birding and photography have been Karl’s passions for over 50 years, so it’s a perfect combination for him to photograph birds. Not that long ago, it was difficult to get decent bird photos because many birds are small, move quickly, often in dim light, and difficult to approach. Modern digital photographic equipment has made the task much easier if the basic principles are understood. Along with reviewing different types of equipment for digital bird photography, Karl will go over techniques for getting the pictures and then post-processing to improve them as your tastes dictate.

His photography is about the birds and first requires the planning of the conditions, such as the light source and direction, wind, and background/foreground. The next step is setting the camera according to the environment and the desired outcome. And finally, the finishing touches with post-processing (Photoshop and others). The goal of the class is to present the options for bird photography and the ways to accomplish your requirements.

Registration for this special class is $20.00 with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

March in the Year of the Bird: Going Native!

Written by KBO on . Posted in Klamath Call Note, Conservation, KBO Education.

The Year of the Bird’s Call to Action for the month of March is to raise awareness of the value of landscaping with native plants. Creating a bird-friendly habitat in yards featuring native plants is a great way to help birds facing changes in their natural habitats. Planting native plant species in your yard, garden, patio, or balcony can create a vital recharging station for birds passing through and even a sanctuary for nesting birds. Having more birds will help with garden pests naturally and the native plants will require much less watering. March might be a little early for planting but not too early for planning ahead to birdify your yard.

KBO’s Birdify Your Yard! Landscaping for Birds and Native Plants for Birds in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion flyer offers several home landscaping suggestions for attracting birds and includes a list of local bird-friendly native plants.

eBird Northwest has just posted an article titled Year of the Bird: March Monthly Action with more information about including bird-friendly native plants in our “habitats”. The article includes a link to the National Audubon Society’s Plants for Birds webpage and their Native Plant Finder Database with tips for planning a bird-friendly landscape.

CLICK HERE to download/view KBO’s Birdify Your Yard! (Landscaping for Birds) flyer—with a list of suggested bird-friendly Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion native plants.

CLICK HERE to visit eBird Northwest’s Year of the Bird: March Monthly Action article.

If you haven’t already heard, 2018 is Year of the Bird! The National Geographic Society is celebrating the centenary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with a year-long celebration of birds. Dozens of Year of the Bird partners, including Klamath Bird Observatory, are coordinating Year of the Bird activities.