Tag: Citizen Science

2018 BioBlitz! Citizen Scientist Bird Count in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

Written by KBO on June 2, 2018. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Community Science.

“More than 85 people fanned out across the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument early
Saturday May 26 on a mission to count birds. In small groups, birding experts and citizen-scientists
began at daybreak surveying 11 different sites within the monument.

A total of 112 bird species were identified during this BioBlitz, including both resident and
migrating species. “It’s remarkable that during one eight-hour period nearly half the number of
species that have been reported during the entire month of May in all of Jackson and Siskiyou
counties were recorded,” says Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director John Alexander.

A BioBlitz is a communal citizen-scientist effort to record as many species as possible within a
designated time and place. “A BioBlitz is a great way to engage the community and connect them to their monument while generating useful data for science and conservation. They are also an excuse for naturalists, scientists, and curious members of the public to get together in the great outdoors for fun and to contribute something meaningful.” explained Howard Hunter, a board member for the Friends of the Monument.” -From the Friends of the Cascades-Siskiyou National Monument’s BioBlitz Press Release.

Read more in the Friends of the Cascades-Siskiyou National Monument’s BioBlitz Press Release.

A New Citizen Science Opportunity

Written by KBO on April 26, 2018. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Community Science, Conservation.

Klamath Bird Observatory and The Selberg Institute recently completed a successful year-long citizen science project on the beautiful Sampson Creek Preserve just east of Ashland. This work would not have been completed without a group of dedicated citizen scientists who spent many mornings birding the property. During the year 119 species were detected on 105 eBird checklists, with Acorn Woodpecker being the most detected species. Though this project is coming to a close we are excited to announce a new citizen science project on the Grizzly Peak Preserve.

This project offers something for all birders and outdoor enthusiasts. Participants will have the choice to bird on fairly flat terrain walking less than two miles through meadows and oak trees or for more adventurous birders to explore off-trail along a gradient of different habitats. The project will take place on a large parcel of private property along the slopes of Grizzly Peak, with survey locations starting just minutes outside of the city of Ashland boundary and continuing up Shale City road. The Preserve is in the foothills of the Cascades and holds a variety of oak habitats as well as coniferous forests and riparian woodlands. The Preserve is a terrific spot for birding and will give the public a unique opportunity to visit and bird in diverse habitats managed for conservation.

Citizen Scientists will be trained on a simple protocol to learn how to collect data, and the opportunity for monthly surveys will continue throughout the year. If you enjoy looking for owls, you are in luck as well. This project will also include two guided night surveys to inventory the local owl population. Participation in surveys will include some walking and/or hiking, recording all birds observed by sight and/or sound, and entering and submitting your findings into eBird Northwest. With this project we aim to complete a robust inventory for the bird species on the Grizzly Peak Preserve by harnessing the power of Citizen Scientists to collect robust data throughout the breeding, migratory, and winter seasons.

As spring migration is underway surveys are starting at the Grizzly Peak Preserve, if you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact KBO Biologist Ellie Armstrong at eea@klamathbird.org.

KBO Position Announcements

Written by KBO on January 25, 2018. Posted in Klamath Call Note.

Klamath Bird Observatory has announced several new position openings. We are currently recruiting for field technicians for the upcoming 2018 field season, citizen scientist volunteers for a new Short-eared Owl survey project, and a meeting facilitator to work with the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network. Links to the position announcements on KBO’s website are below—where you with find details about the positions and instructions on how to apply.

On behalf of the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network, KBO is seeking bids for a meeting facilitator to support strategic planning efforts—CLICK HERE to view this position announcement.

KBO is seeking to fill two Field Technician positions in our bird monitoring and research program at several riparian restoration sites along the Trinity, Salmon, and possibly Klamath rivers in northern California—CLICK HERE to view this position announcement.

KBO invites applications for four (4) Bird Banding Assistant Internship position openings—CLICK HERE to view this position announcement.

KBO seeks to fill a Field Technician position with primary responsibilities to manage our bird banding long-term monitoring project—CLICK HERE to view this position announcement.

KBO is seeking volunteers for a Short-eared Owl citizen science monitoring project—CLICK HERE to view this position announcement.

Citizen Scientists Needed for Short-eared Owl Surveys

Written by KBO on January 17, 2018. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Community Science, Conservation, KBO Partners, KBO Science.

Klamath Bird Observatory is partnering with Intermountain Bird Observatory to launch the pilot year of the Western Asio Flammeus Landscape Study (WAfLS) in Oregon. This citizen science project, now spanning eight western states, is designed to gather information to better evaluate the population status of the Short-eared Owl. The Oregon Conservation Strategy has identified the Short-eared Owl as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need and the National Audubon Society Climate Initiative has identified the species as Climate Endangered. This pilot survey is a critical starting point to fill information gaps for this species in Oregon. Results will directly influence high-value conservation actions by state and federal agencies. We are looking to recruit dedicated volunteers to help complete this state-wide survey.

WAfLS volunteers will enjoy rural Oregon at twilight while completing two road-based surveys during late winter and early spring. The surveys consist of driving on secondary roads, stopping at 8 to 11 points to complete a five-minute survey. At each point volunteers will record detections of Short-eared Owl as well as some brief habitat information. The entire survey is completed within 90 minutes. Training material will be provided and no experience is necessary to volunteer. Participants will need to follow field and data entry protocols, have use of a vehicle, smartphone or GPS device, and be able to identify a Short-eared Owl.

CLICK HERE to visit the WAfLS project website for more details including the protocol, survey maps, past years’ reports and publications and how to sign-up.

Contact Ellie Armstrong at eea@klamathbird.org for any questions regarding the Oregon surveys.

Help fill these information gaps by signing up for a survey!

Citizen Science Opportunity for Fall Migration

Written by KBO on September 1, 2017. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Conservation, KBO Science.

Looking for a new place to bird during fall migration? Klamath Bird Observatory and The Selberg Institute are continuing a yearlong citizen science project on the beautiful Sampson Creek Preserve just east of Ashland and, are looking for volunteers to help monitor during fall migration. This project offers something for all birders and outdoor enthusiasts.

A Call for Citizen Scientists!

Written by John Alexander on March 23, 2017. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding, Conservation, KBO Science.

Klamath Bird Observatory and The Selberg Institute are launching a new citizen science project on the beautiful Sampson Creek Preserve just outside of Ashland. This project offers something for all birders and outdoor enthusiasts. Participants will have the choice to bird on fairly flat terrain walking less than two miles through meadows and oak woodland, or for the more adventurous there are little-explored areas off-trail along a gradient of different habitats. The project will take place on a large parcel of private property along Sampson Creek. The Preserve is in the foothills of the Cascades and holds a variety of oak habitats as well as coniferous forests and riparian woodlands. This is a terrific spot for birding and will give the public a unique opportunity to visit and bird in a diversity of habitats managed for conservation.

Sampson Creek Preserve late winter. Photo by Ellie Armstrong

Citizen Scientists will participate in a training event on April 15th to learn how to collect data, and the opportunity for monthly surveys will continue throughout the year. If you enjoy looking for owls, you are in luck as well. This project will also include guided night surveys to inventory the local owl population. Participation will include some walking and/or hiking, recording all birds observed by sight and/or sound, and entering and submitting your findings into eBird Northwest. Klamath Bird Observatory has completed baseline breeding surveys on this property in the past, but with this project we aim to add to the existing knowledge by harnessing the power of Citizen Scientists to collect robust data throughout the breeding, migratory, and winter seasons.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact KBO biologist Ellie Armstrong at eea@klamathbird.org. Ellie will give a short presentation on the project at the next Rogue Valley Audubon Society monthly meeting on March 28th – come learn about this special place and what we can do to help keep it special.

Calling All Shorebird Enthusiasts and Citizen Scientists!

Written by Caitlyn Gillespie on November 25, 2015. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Trips & Events.

The Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey (PFSS) is looking for citizen science volunteers to conduct shorebird surveys in Coos Bay, Oregon! The survey will take place January 13th, 2016.

The Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey is a multi-partner project, led by Point Blue Conservation Science; the survey depends on citizen science effort to help protect shorebirds and wetlands all the way from Canada to Mexico. This year Klamath Bird Observatory is assisting with the coordination of surveys at Coos Bay, Oregon.

Time Commitment: ~1-2 days:
1. Review: Learn the protocol and training techniques
2. Scouting: Become familiar with your site; make sure you know the access points and how long it will take to cover the area.
3. Survey: One survey on January 13th, 2016 from 9:00am-11:00pm
4.Data Entry: Surveyors will enter their data online into the California Avian Data Center.

The best candidates for the project will:
1. Be confident with their shorebird identification
2. Have their own binoculars and scope (some scopes are available to borrow if needed) and possess reliable transportation
3. Be physically able to walk long-distances carrying a scope and tripod in muddy and often inclement conditions
4. Be willing to follow a protocol to count birds
5. Be comfortable entering data online into California Avian Data Center
6. Have a passion for and dedication to shorebird conservation

For more information about PFSS please visit www.prbo.org/pfss.

If you would like to participate or have any questions please contact Ellie Armstrong, at eea@klamathbird.org 541-201-0866 ext. 5.