Is your New Year’s resolution to learn more about birds and deepen your support for bird conservation? The Klamath Bird Observatory has you covered with three fantastic events to kick off the year.
Raptors are magnificent—and often challenging—to identify. Join expert Dick Ashford for an evening presentation on Wednesday, January 14th, from 6:00–8:30 PM, where he’ll share tips and tricks for recognizing hawks in the field. Then put your new skills into practice during a guided field trip to the Klamath Basin on Saturday, January 17th. Winter in the Basin is a spectacular time for raptor diversity. Register here.
Looking to make a bigger impact on bird conservation? Join us for an evening of food, friends, and inspiration on Saturday, January 17th, from 5:00–8:00 PM. We’ll introduce our new Travel with Purpose program and share details about our upcoming 2026 trips to Bear Divide (May 6th – May 9th, 2025) and Brazil (September 3–12, 2026). Meet trip leaders, connect with past participants, and learn how meaningful travel can support conservation. This event is free—please register here.
Some feelings about our connection to nature are hard to capture in words alone. Art can help us express them in new and powerful ways. On February 8th, from 4:00–6:00 PM, join KBO and local artist Gatore at Luna Café for a creative, community-centered event. Explore the State of the Birds, then help us transform old reports into beautiful, repurposed works of art. This family-friendly gathering is a wonderful way to connect, create, and reflect. Register here.
Cover photo Northern Harrier taken by Frank Lospalluto
Thank you to everyone who celebrated World Migratory Bird Day with us at Rogue Valley Bird Day!
Left to Right: Axel, Victoria, Claire, and Yuly
We are going to need your vote!
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!
Events
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:
Finding birds
Understanding and using binoculars
Identifying species by size, shape, suit, scene, and sound
Utilizing smartphone applications and online resources
And more!
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.
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.
Bird Banding with Klamath Bird Observatory Scientists: Science in Action!
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.
On Earth Day weekend Klamath Bird Observatory will not only be hosting Talk and Walks but we are also going to be at the Celebrate Earth Day event. This event is being hosted by Temple Emek Shalom and SOHEVA at Temple Emek Shalom on April 24th, 1 pm – 4 pm.
Fun, free, informative event for the whole family will feature more than a dozen organizations
committed to environmental protection and a healthy planet Opportunity to test drive electric vehicles, enjoy food trucks, music, and activities for kids
Temple Emek Shalom (TES) has announced a fun, free, informative, and interactive community event on Sunday, April 24th to celebrate the Earth Day message of protecting our environment. The celebration is open to everyone in the community and is geared to people of all ages, with information, music, food trucks, and activities for kids.
“Although Earth Day officially falls on April 22nd, we chose Sunday, April 24th to make our event accessible to everyone – adults, kids, the whole family,” said Pete Jorgensen, an event organizer. “This event is a great opportunity to come together, learn, try new technology first-hand, and celebrate the importance of a healthy planet.”
A major highlight will be the opportunity for licensed and insured drivers to test drive electric vehicles including the Arcimoto FUV manufactured in Eugene, OR, and the Mustang E and Kia Niro EV, which are sold locally by Lithia Motors’ Green Cars division.
More than a dozen organizations committed to environmental protection will be on-hand to share helpful information and answer questions about green practices and technology.
Talk and Walk are back by popular demand. These are donation-based series that happen at a variety of locations. It is a great opportunity to explore Southern Oregon, increase your birding knowledge, and make new friends. We welcome birders on all levels. Binoculars’ are available for use.
Our first walk is on March 26th, led by Shannon Rio at North Mountain Park Nature Center starting at 9 am – 11 am FULL. Shannon is KBO’s board president and is passionate about environmental education. North Mountain Park, located next to Bear Creek in beautiful Ashland Oregon, encompasses a Nature Center, Demonstration Gardens, playing fields, and several acres of wildlife-friendly open space and trails. The mission of the Nature Center, which is part of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Department, is “to promote greater community awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of the local natural environment, and to foster stewardship through educational programs and activities.”
Celebrate Earth Day with us by birding at the Rogue River Preserve with Amanda Alford on April 23rd from 9 am – 11 am FULL. A new date has been added on April 24th from 9 am – 11 am. Group size limited to 12 people. Amanda is a KBO board member and a lover of all things bird and is excited to share. The Rogue River Preserve is located along the Rogue River. The preserve is owned and managed by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Its 352 acres include several distinct habitats that support remarkable biodiversity, including at least 32 rare, declining, and uncommon plant and animal species. There isn’t a better way to celebrate Mother Earth.
More dates will be added through out the year. Want to keep up to date on all things KBO? Sign up for the Klamath Call Note!
KBO’s popular Talk & Walk classes are core to our Community Education programming. These two-part classes include an evening presentation followed by a field trip. Birding experts, conservation professionals, authors, and artists donate their time as instructors and field trip leaders. Please reach out to Elva at ejm@klamathbird.org if you are interested in being a field trip leader or giving a talk.
Hawk Talk and Walk
Travel with Purpose
Ashland Food Co-op (AFC) members will soon be asked to vote for their favorite nonprofits in 
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:
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.
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 
KBO relies on private 
