Klamath Bird Observatory’s Wings and Wine Gala is back by popular demand. Come celebrate more than 20 years of KBO advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. Please help us continue our work by participating in this fundraiser.
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join us as part of a global conservation community that appreciates the wonder of our feathered friends and works together to protect birds.
Our Gala will feature live music and dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, local wine and beer, live auction, an art gallery, a field trip, and an opportunity to convene with our KBO community. A good time will be had by all.
The programs are on Thursday mornings, but not every Thursday through August and Fridays in the fall—please check the Crater Lake National Park bird banding visit flyer below for scheduled dates and information on how to register for these special events . Don’t miss this opportunity to visit KBO’s biologists in the field, see the birds they are studying up close, guided by an expert Park Ranger!
Crater Lake National Park and Klamath Bird Observatory are again presenting a bird ecology program series this summer and into the fall. The popular Park Ranger-led programs feature a visit to KBO’s bird monitoring station within Crater Lake National Park, bringing park visitors, park birds, and researchers all together.
KBO is also offering public visits to another of our bird monitoring stations located at our Upper Klamath Field Station near Fort Klamath by arrangement. Email Bob Frey for more information.
Our 2019 Summer Bird Banding Workshop is August 5-9 at our Upper Klamath Field Station. This is a North American Banding Council-approved training session with NABC-based content and NABC-certified Trainer instructors. All registration fees go directly to funding our long-term monitoring and banding training program. Registration closes July 15, 2019.
2018 banding workshop seminar.
The four-day workshop will combine morning sessions learning hands-on in the field with afternoons in the classroom and provide participants with an excellent opportunity to experience an active bird monitoring station and learn the theory and skills required to operate it. Participants will receive training in bird safety, mist net use and maintenance, data collection, bird identification, bird banding, and sexing and ageing techniques. The workshop agenda is designed as a comprehensive introduction for those with little to no prior experience but is also appropriate for more experienced banders looking to build upon their existing skills and knowledge. Participants should not expect to emerge from this workshop as fully qualified bird banders, however, this course provides an excellent start in preparation for those interested in pursuing the NABC Bander certification. This workshop is designed for undergraduate and graduate students, bird observatory volunteers, naturalists, and others interested in pursuing careers in ornithology or assisting at bird banding stations.
The registration fee is $1,600 per person and is non-refundable. Registration includes all meals (including beverages and snacks) beginning with dinner Monday August 5 and ending with lunch Friday August 9. Space is available for free tent camping at KBO’s rustic Upper Klamath Field Station. There is lodging available nearby at several Rocky Point area resorts and lodges (all with rooms and/or cabins as well as RV and tent camping) and a few options on Airbnb (search Rocky Point or Klamath Falls, Oregon). A little further away are Running Y Ranch Resort (about 20 minute drive) and hotels in Klamath Falls (about 40 minutes).
Come for a top-notch banding learning experience and help keep our long-running monitoring and training program going. For more information and answers to any questions please contact Lauren diBiccari at ledklamathbird.org.
Registration has opened for KBO’s Bird Banding Workshop August 5-9, 2019 at our Upper Klamath Field Station. This is a North American Banding Council-approved training session with NABC-based content and NABC-certified Trainer instructors. All registration fees go directly to funding our long-term monitoring and banding training program. Registration closes July 21, 2019.
This four-day workshop will combine morning sessions learning hands-on in the field with afternoons in the classroom and provide participants with an excellent opportunity to experience an active bird monitoring station and learn the theory and skills required to operate it. Participants will receive training in bird safety, mist net use and maintenance, data collection, bird identification, bird banding, and sexing and ageing techniques. The workshop agenda is designed as a comprehensive introduction for those with little to no prior experience but is also appropriate for more experienced banders looking to build upon their existing skills and knowledge. Participants should not expect to emerge from this workshop as fully qualified bird banders, however, this course provides an excellent start in preparation for those interested in pursuing the NABC Bander certification. This workshop is designed for undergraduate and graduate students, bird observatory volunteers, naturalists, and others interested in pursuing careers in ornithology or assisting at bird banding stations.
The registration fee is $1,600 per person and is non-refundable. Registration includes all meals (including beverages and snacks) beginning with dinner Monday August 5 and ending with lunch Friday August 9. Space is available for free tent camping at KBO’s rustic Upper Klamath Field Station. There is lodging available nearby at several Rocky Point area resorts and lodges (all with rooms and/or cabins as well as RV and tent camping) and a few options on Airbnb (search Rocky Point or Klamath Falls, Oregon). A little further away are Running Y Ranch Resort (about 20 minute drive) and hotels in Klamath Falls (about 40 minutes).
Come for a top-notch banding learning experience and help keep our long-running monitoring and training program going. For more information and answers to any questions please contact Lauren diBiccari at led<at>klamathbird.org.
Talk: May 23rd Thursday, 6:30pm – 8:00pm at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520
Walk: May 25th Saturday, 8:00am – 1:00pm at Karl’s property on the edge of Ashland.
Bring binoculars. A light lunch/snack will be provided. After we walk the property, we can continue looking at the birds while we enjoy our lunch on the patio.
In the words of Karl: I feel grateful for the abundance of birds seen on our property two miles North of I-5 on N. Valley View Rd. 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.
Finding bird nests is challenging. Sometimes you accidentally find one, and other times you try hard, but no luck. I’ve had pretty good luck around my house with quite a few species. Golden Eagles nest about 1.6 miles from my house, so I see them regularly. Last year I had two new species: American Kestrel and Barn Owl. Western Kingbirds, Tree Swallows, Western Bluebirds, Red-tailed Hawks, and Bullock’s Orioles will also be likely nesters.
On Saturday’s field trip, we’ll check the nests in my yard, safely and ethically so we don’t over-stress the birds. Also, we will do some easy birding to see what else we can find. Thursday’s Talk portion will be a time to talk about nesting birds, with topics such as providing nest-building materials, providing nest boxes (including plans, construction, and placement), and maintenance. I have photos to share that I hope will stimulate a fun discussion of nesting birds. On Saturday there will be beverages and light lunch/snacks provided. With good weather, we can sit outside on the deck, have some snacks, watch and share the birds.
Regular cost: $50.00 Reduced cost: $40.00 for holders of the Conservation Stamp Set. Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.
Come join us at the 20th Annual Klamath Falls World Migratory Bird Day Celebration at Veteran’s Park this Saturday May 18th! Several expert led birdwatching walks through the park will visit KBO’s bird banding demonstration throughout the festival. Biologists will share the captured wild birds up close before their release—a close-up experience of bird migration passing through the Klamath Basin.
The 2019 World Migratory Bird Day theme is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution! Come and learn about bird migration and the problems they face from our plastic pollution. Each year, the World Migratory Bird Day advisory committee selects an artist to illustrate the annual conservation theme. Arnaldo Toledo Sotolongo, from Santa Clara, Cuba was selected to create the World Migratory Bird Day 2019 artwork—in which he displays a passionate and beautiful, though painfully tragic, poster illustration.
This local celebration of World Migratory Bird Day is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with Klamath Watershed Partnership, Klamath Basin Audubon Society, Klamath Wing Watchers, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, the City of Klamath Falls, and many other valuable partners. Now in its 29th year, World Migratory Bird Day has grown from a one-day event into a framework underpinning hundreds of projects and programs year-round. It is coordinated by Environment for the Americas, which provides bilingual educational materials and information about birds and bird conservation throughout the Americas. Their programs inspire children and adults to get outdoors, learn about birds, and take part in their conservation.
Spring is here and so are the birds at the Rogue Valley Bird Day festival at Ashland’s North Mountain Park! Join Klamath Bird Observatory biologists at a bird banding demonstration—one of the many family friendly activities planned. The City of Ashland Department of Parks and Recreation with many partners will host the Rogue Valley Bird Day festival Saturday May 11 from 8 am to 12 pm. The festival is our local celebration of World Migratory Bird Day and will feature expert-guided bird walks, The Big Sit feeder watch, thrilling programs featuring birds of prey by Wildlife Images Education Rehabilitation Center, our bird banding demonstration, and the ever-very-popular bird calling contest!
KBO will also present an interactive display and demonstration of eBird tools that help link community birders with conservation science. The display will highlight Community Science tools that allow all birders to contribute to local and international monitoring efforts and existing bird data from Bear Creek and North Mountain Park, which has undergone immense restoration over the past 20 years.
The 2019 World Migratory Bird Day theme is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution! Come and learn about the problems birds face from our world-wide plastic problem. And experience the bird migration right here in our beautiful Rogue Valley! Several walks through the park led by area birding experts will visit KBO’s bird banding demonstration. Biologists will share the captured wild birds up close before their release.
Each year, the World Migratory Bird Day advisory committee selects an artist to illustrate the annual conservation theme. Arnaldo Toledo Sotolongo, from Santa Clara, Cuba was selected to create the World Migratory Bird Day 2019 artwork. Arnaldo is a scientific illustrator, photographer and designer, and volunteers in conservation projects in his free time. His 2019 poster illustration tells a passionate though painfully tragic tale.
Now in its 29th year, World Migratory Bird Day has grown from a one-day event into a framework underpinning hundreds of projects and programs year-round. It is coordinated by Environment for the Americas, which provides multi-lingual educational materials and information about birds and bird conservation throughout the Americas. Their programs inspire children and adults to get outdoors, learn about birds, and take part in their conservation.
Harry Fuller, past KBO president and expert bird guide, will take us to the areas around Howard Prairie and Hyatt Lake to find spring migrants and year-long resident species.
Cost: $25. Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or at 541-840-4655 to sign up. Limited to 16 people.
Harry Fuller will be speaking at the SOU Library, Hannon room on Thursday May 9th at 4pm on Birds of the Klamath Basin. No sign up is necessary and this is a free event. Do come!
Talk: May 16th Thursday 6:30pm – 8:00pm at KBO Headquarters, 320 Beach Street
Jeanine Moy, Vesper Meadow Program Director will share encounters with charismatic birds, community-powered restoration and surveys for the imperiled Oregon Vesper Sparrow.
Walk: May 18th Saturday 8:30am – NOON at the Vesper Meadow Restoration site on Indian Memorial Road
Frank Lospolluto, expert bird ecologist, will lead us through the forest edge, wet meadows and riparian habitat known as Vesper Meadow Restorative Preserve. Located up Indian Memorial Road, we might see vesper sparrows, hawks, sandhill cranes, and possibly owls.
The Klamath Bird Observatory is partnering with the Vesper Meadow Restoration Project in this unique walk and talk. Vesper Meadow is a place-based restoration project, as well as outpost for community science and art programs. It is the site where KBO is collecting information on the endangered vesper sparrow.
To sign up for this, contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655. Cost is $30 with $15 going to Vesper Meadow and $15 to KBO.
NEWS RELEASE: March 23, 2019 CONTACT: John Alexander, Executive Director, Klamath Bird Observatory, 541‐890‐7067, jda@KlamathBird.org
Data from long-term monitoring efforts in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California were used to develop a new index of habitat value.
Managers charged with stewarding public and private lands strive to protect, maintain, and restore healthy forest conditions that are resilient to drought, flood, and severe wildfire. Managers often rely on the presence of indicator species and species richness (i.e., the number of species present) to assess the value of different forest conditions to wildlife; however, relying on an indicator species or estimates of richness does not directly measure in what way focal habitats support the life history needs of individual species. For example, a bird provisioning food to nestlings is a more meaningful metric than a bird of the same species simply dispersing through a focal habitat. Unfortunately, classical measures of richness often treat these two hypothetical birds as similar when assessing the value of forests to wildlife. While past conservation planning has largely focused on wildlife presence, new research suggests assessing habitat value throughout the entire avian life cycle will provide a more holistic approach to management.
Recognizing the need for a better assessment of forest value to wildlife, a team of researchers from Klamath Bird Observatory, the Forest Service, and Michigan Technological University developed the “informed indices” concept. This new and impactful method scales diversity estimates by meaningful phases of each species lifecycle, such as breeding and feather replacement (i.e., molt). For proof-of-concept, the collaborative team used 18 years of bird capture data from across multiple forest types in California and Oregon to determine how measures of diversity change for bird communities across the breeding and molting seasons.
“Informed” estimates of species richness unveiled the importance of an inland riparian forest (GERB) as compared to other sites in the region.
“We were surprised to find that forests with diverse breeding bird communities sometimes hosted relatively depauperate molting communities, demonstrating that a single location’s value is dynamic, changing from high to low depending on what part of the avian lifecycle a manager is considering” said Dr. Jared Wolfe, Klamath Bird Observatory Research Associate and lead author of the study.
“Instead of relying on simple measures of presence and absence, our informed indices concept assesses wildlife across biologically-meaningful seasons. This is an important improvement because it identifies essential variation in the value of forest to wildlife, thereby allowing managers to properly conserve wildlife throughout North America and beyond” said Dr. John Alexander, Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director and co-author of the study.
About Klamath Bird Observatory: Klamath Bird Observatory advances bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. We work in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the migratory ranges of the birds of our region. We developed our award-winning conservation model in the ruggedly beautiful and wildlife-rich Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California. Emphasizing high caliber science and the role of birds as indicators of the health of the land, we specialize in cost-effective bird monitoring and research projects that improve natural resource management. Also, recognizing that conservation occurs across many fronts, we nurture a conservation ethic in our communities through our outreach and educational programs. Visit Klamath Bird Observatory at www.KlamathBird.org.
