Marsh Island Multiday Trip with Shannon Rio and Kevin Spencer (Full)
Marsh Island Ranch, June 6-8

Klamath Bird Observatory has been given the opportunity to bring a group to Marsh Island Ranch in Dorris, California, which was home to Tupper Blake. Tupper was a brilliant wildlife photographer whose (pre-digital) work gave “voice” to early conservation efforts, enabling their support and success. The author of five books, including “Balancing Water: Restoring the Klamath Basin” and three major museum exhibitions, two for the Smithsonian, dedicated his life and talents to protecting habitat, primarily in the Western US.
The ranch is built on top of a hill that was once an island due to the water in the Klamath marsh. This vantage point gives you amazing views of the marsh below. We will be staying at the ranch. The sleeping situation ranges from beds, cots, couches, to sleeping bags on the floor. We will ask for your preference below, but that may not be your final sleeping arrangement. We ask folks to bring their own bedding in the form of a sleeping bag and pillow, towels, and food. There is a full kitchen available for use.
Itinerary:

Suggested arrival time on Friday, June 6th: between 4 and 5 p.m. so that you can move into your space, wander the property, and eat dinner. From 7-8:30, we will have a scheduled birding walk of the property. From 8:30 to bedtime, we will share introductions and get to know one another.
Saturday, June 7th: We will have an early breakfast and depart at 7:30. Plan to be gone all day. Pack your lunch. We will tour Lower Klamath Refuge and the Modoc Nation’s upland habitat. We will then return to the ranch for dinner and enjoy views from the deck.
Sunday, June 8th: Early breakfast and departure time of 7:30. Visit Tule Lake Refuge and areas of Lava Beds Monument, including the Petroglyphs. Lunch will be along the way. Return to Marsh Island Ranch around 3 p.m. to pack up and say goodbye to the amazing Marsh Island Ranch.
This is a donation-based trip, with a suggested contribution of $0-$250. We do not wish to deny anyone this experience due to cost. The donation covers accommodations and the birding day tours. You will need to bring all of your own food, bedding, and towels. There is a nice kitchen and several bathrooms with showers.
Sign up, and Shannon Rio will contact you about directions to get there and other details like sleeping accommodations. It is approximately two hours from the Rogue Valley. Space is limited to 14 people. We will be carpooling on our day trips. Hikes will not be strenuous. Call Shannon at 541-840-4655 if you need more information.
Some species expected to be encountered: Tricolored Blackbird, White-throated Swift, Swainson’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, American Bittern, Barn Owl, Say’s Phoebe, Cinnamon Teal, Sage Thrasher, and American Avocet.