Tag: Patty Buettner

Hawk Watch Memorial

Written by Elva Manquera on September 18, 2025. Posted in Klamath Call Note, KBO Partners, Trips & Events.

Each fall, as raptors ride the thermals along the Modoc Rim, a dedicated group of observers gathers to witness one of nature’s great migrations. This year’s Hawk Watch will take place on Friday, September 26, from 9 AM to 3 PM, and we invite you to be part of it.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or simply curious about the spectacle of falcons, eagles, and hawks soaring overhead, Hawk Watch offers a rare opportunity to connect with the rhythms of the Klamath Basin. Bring your binoculars, a scope, sun protection, and a sense of wonder. The viewing site is accessed via a steep gravel road just north of Hagelstein Park, followed by a short hike through brush to the rim. If you’d like to participate, please email Kevin Spencer at rriparia@charter.net.

This annual event is held in honor of Patricia Buettner, a visionary biologist whose early support helped launch Klamath Bird Observatory’s Upper Klamath Field Station. Patty’s legacy lives on through the Avian Internship Memorial Fund (AIM Fund), which supports KBO’s long-running internship program.

Over the past 20 years, more than 200 interns have contributed to international bird conservation through KBO’s program. The AIM Fund provides critical resources, such as housing, supplies, travel, and stipends, that make these transformative experiences possible. Thanks to a generous $10,000 annual match, every donation goes twice as far in shaping the careers of young ornithologists.

2025 banding interns, left Charlotte Hood, middle Max Keetch, right Ravynn Garcia. Banding at the 7-mile banding station in the Upper Klamath.

Here’s what our 2025 interns have to say:

“The bird banding internship has been so much fun, and it’s very rewarding to think about how much I’ve grown as a bander. This experience will be highly valuable for me as I continue to pursue a career as an ornithologist.”
— Max Keetch

“The combination of hands-on experience, understanding avian life histories, and the bonds created between fellow interns makes the KBO banding internship truly an invaluable experience for young professionals in this field.”
— Charlotte Hood

“This internship was a great opportunity for me not only to get hands-on experience banding birds but also to learn fundamental concepts and be able to work with professionals in the field of ornithology.”
— Ravynn Garcia

Whether you join us on the rim or support from afar, your contribution helps ensure that future interns can continue this vital work. Donate to the AIM Fund and help us honor Patty’s legacy by investing in the next generation of bird conservation leaders.

Cover photo Cooper’s Hawk by Frank Lospalluto

Hawk Watch

Written by Elva Manquera on September 18, 2025.

For the last several years, a small group of focused observers has taken their scopes up to the Modoc Rim to observe just a small fraction of the raptors that move through the Klamath Basin during fall migration. With a natural westerly breeze that is forced upward at the Modoc Rim, raptors can’t help but follow the easy ride southward along that north-south escarpment. Each year, falcons, buteos, eagles, harriers, Coopers’ and Sharp-shinned Hawks “float” past the gazers for brief looks. In between, there is much standing, discussing, and observing as passerines move past, also heading southward.

Visiting prominent locations atop mountain ranges was a favorite of Patty Buettner. She was a dedicated biologist and was instrumental at the start of the bird banding in the Klamath Basin in the 1990s. For the last few years, this annual Hawk Watch has been dedicated in her honor for her work with the Klamath Bird Observatory. Please support the continued efforts by Klamath Bird Observatory by donating in her honor and memory. The date for this year’s Hawk Watch will be Friday, September 26, from 9 to 3 pm.

Observers are welcome to participate. It is a long day in the sun, so bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, food, a chair, a scope, and binoculars. The time is spent mostly standing for long periods of time, scanning the horizon, looking for soaring birds in the distance. As raptors approach, their ID is narrowed down using clues seen as they get closer. The location of the viewing area is accessed by ascending the road just N of Hagelstein Park. The road is a steep gravel road with some washboarding. At the top, a spur road is taken to the rim where vehicles are parked. A short hike through brush, with gear, will take you to a location where you will spend the next six or so hours. If you are interested in participating, please email Kevin Spencer at rriparia@charter.net.

You do not have to participate to donate. Please support the observers’ efforts by donating. There will be a follow-up article in the next Grebe that will summarize this day.

Patty Buettner Memorial Hawk Watch

Written by Elva Manquera on August 27, 2024. Posted in Klamath Call Note, Birds & Birding.

The Patty Buettner Memorial Hawk Watch will be on Saturday, September 28, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the Modoc Rim stationary viewing area, above nearby Hagelstein Park, north of Klamath Falls.

This event has been a tradition for many years, observing the migrating raptors moving southward using the updraft caused by daily eastward blowing wind currents along the escarpment seen adjacent to Hwy 97 and Upper Klamath Lake. Among the more common raptors are: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, falcons such as Prairie, Peregrine, American Kestrel, Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures, and others. Passerines and songbirds move through also. There have been large groups of Lewis’s Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, California Scrub Jays, Mountain Chickadees, smaller groups of Band-tailed Pigeons, and even some wayward Acorn Woodpeckers. As for raptors, occasionally, a Broad-winged Hawk will move through, but that is quite rare and very exciting! And Northern Goshawk sometimes too! The chance to see an unusual bird requires constant scanning and identifying each and every bird going through. With several observers, the chance of getting by the group is low.

The location is at the edge of the rim overlooking Upper Klamath Lake. It requires a short hike through the brush, from the parking area, which is accessed via a steeper grade of wash-boarded gravel road starting near Hagelstein Park. While standing most of the time constantly scanning, the reward is seeing birds in the distance and attempting to ID, and although closer views are fleeting as they fly overhead or off to the side, on good days it can be rather busy, and there is constant discussion of raptor characteristics, overall shapes, and plumages. Since there are numerous observers scanning, taking a break, and scanning from a campchair is welcome, then standing when a bird of interest approaches can help. There are times when it’s not so busy, so time for drinking water, eating, sitting for a bit, or talking about raptors. Or, you can just continue to scan and maybe be the first to spot another approaching bird of prey!

Details

Due to the primitive location, there are no restrooms. A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water are musts. Lunch and snacks are necessary, and a chair is recommended. There are plenty of people there to assist if one can’t carry everything. Be aware that it is a primitive site, this is a stationary event, in an open area exposed to the elements. A scope is necessary to see raptors from a distance initially, but with closer views, binoculars are good. It is possible to meet at Hagelstein Park and carpool from that location.
If interested in participating, please contact: Kevin Spencer for more details: rriparia@charter.net

Support Klamath Bird Observatory’s Avian Internship Memorial Fund

Since this is an event named in Patty Buettner’s honor, there is an ask to donate in her honor, to the Klamath Bird Observatory. KBO was a part of her early career as a biologist here in the Klamath Basin. Building on her passion for monitoring and habitat restoration and protection of wildlife. She was involved in the initial groundwork with the Klamath Bird Observatory in the Klamath Basin.

If you are interested in donating any amount in her honor you can donate to the Avian Internship Memorial Fund. The Avian Internship Memorial Fund (AIM Fund), was started by the friends and family of Patricia Buettner (Patty). The AIM Fund helps support KBO’s long-running internship programs. Klamath Bird Observatory’s internship program offers a positive learning experience for students. Our interns also make considerable contributions that help the international bird conservation community advance bird and habitat conservation.