And by the way, you might be asking how did Global Big Day in October go?

The goal was 5,000 species—and more than 6,000 were recorded on more than 37,000 eBird checklists in just one day! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology would like to thank every participant all over the world. This was the first October Global Big Day ever, and thanks to participation from around the world, more than 6,000 of the world’s 10,000 birds were watched that big, big day—congratulations to us all!

CLICK HERE to see a summary of the October 6, 2018 Global Big Day results.

November’s call to action in this Year of the Bird is to go on an assignment with National Geographic’s Share Your Shot—a storytelling community where photographers can take part in photo assignments, get expert feedback, be published, and more. Share your photography to tell the story of the birds in your world.

Bohemian Waxwing Mt. Ashland, Oregon (c) 2018 Frank Lospalluto

This action will continue the entire month of November! It is not a contest, but a participatory storytelling assignment. Birding photography has become key entry point to nature and continues to grow in popularity. In 1908 National Geographic Magazine published an article imploring sportsmen to switch their rifles for cameras. “Shooting” wildlife through a lens was then a novel idea that transformed the way naturalists observe and appreciate nature. The 1908 article was a pivotal point in our appreciation of birds for their own sake and for their conservation. It is that idea we celebrate with this month’s call to action—Share Your Shot (so join the fun)!

CLICK HERE to learn more about and to participate in Share Your Shot Photographic Storytelling Community.

CLICK HERE to view the 1908 National Geographic Magazine article “One Season’s Game-Bag With the Camera” by (then former Congressman) George Shiras, III. It should be read as a historical document that introduces a wonderful new concept for that time.

If you haven’t already heard, 2018 is Year of the Bird! The National Geographic Society is celebrating the centenary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with a year-long celebration of birds. Dozens of Year of the Bird partners, including Klamath Bird Observatory, are coordinating Year of the Bird activities.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Year of the Bird at the National Geographic Society’s website.

CREATING A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN YOUR BACKYARD
Presented by Karl Schneck, KBO board member

Talk: October 18th Thursday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Bullock’s Oriole © 2018 Karl Schneck

Karl’s life-long passion for birds has guided the landscaping on his property in the foothills just outside Ashland, Oregon. In this talk, he will present the many ways a backyard can be made more attractive and useful for birds in our region. He will also introduce the feathered neighbors that now live on or have visited his backyard and who will be likely seen during the field trip.

Karl Schneck

In Karl’s words …
“With 117 species in just over three years, I feel especially grateful for the abundance of birds seen on our property two miles north of I-5 on N. Valley View Road. 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.

We are still in the process of planting and improving our yard habitat for the birds. Watching the hummers feed from our penstemons is one example of adding features for the birds, as well as feeders, water, and shelter. Adding features for specific birds can be rewarding when your target bird shows up. Across the road, Bald Eagles come in to feed on the afterbirth of the cows. This year I had Barn Owl, American Kestrel, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle (about a mile away), Bullock’s Oriole, Brewer’s Blackbird, Western Kingbird, Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, California Towhee, and undoubtedly a number of others I didn’t know about, nesting on the property.

California Towhee © 2018 Karl Schneck

All these birds bring great joy to my life and make a great start to the day when I walk outside in the morning and take them all in. So, my goal for this class is to share my birds with you in a walk and a light lunch, hoping you will enjoy them as much as I do.”

Walk: October 20th Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

This is a field trip to Karl’s property on the edge of Ashland—bring your binoculars! Lunch will be provided (included with registration fee) on Karl’s birdy patio where the birding adventure will continue.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Science Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

Front and back cover of Molt in Neotropical Birds: Life History and Aging Criteria. Image provided by CRC Press.

The Amazon rainforest hosts 15% of the world’s bird species. Despite the staggering diversity of birds, relatively little is known about their natural history. To better understand the timing of life cycle events such as breeding and molting seasonality of Amazonian birds, a team of biologists began a long-term monitoring project in 1978 in the north region of Brazil. Findings from this impressive study are featured in a forthcoming book titled Molt in Neotropical Birds: Life History and Aging Criteria by Drs. Erik Johnson and Jared Wolfe.

“In addition to over a decade of personal research experience in the Amazon, we relied on the long-term dataset to document breeding and molting patterns for nearly 190 bird species, representing 37 families” says Dr. Wolfe, co-author of the book and KBO research associate. “The type of information provided in our book is readily available for birds in North America. Until now, these resources were not available for ornithologists interested in tropical birds.”

The book relies on hundreds of figures and photos to describe breeding seasonality, and unique molt patterns (replacement of feathers) that often vary by age, thereby allowing practitioners to categorize captured birds into age classes. “This book provides the information necessary to determine the age of captured birds, which lays the groundwork for detailed demographic studies of tropical birds” says Dr. Wolfe.

The information detailed in this book is certain to be widely used by ornithologists interested in the natural history, demography and evolution of tropical birds. In his recent Journal of Field Ornithology (Vol. 89:105-107) review, renowned ornithologist Peter Pyle summed “… I consider this an ‘absolute must’ for any student of either avian molt or avian tropical systems, and it has already become one of the eight or so most critical molt‐reference works within immediate reach of my desk.”

Molt in Neotropical Birds: Life History and Aging Criteria is available through CRC Press.

CREATING A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN YOUR BACKYARD
Presented by Karl Schneck, KBO board member

Talk: October 18th Thursday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Bullock’s Oriole © 2018 Karl Schneck

Karl’s life-long passion for birds has guided the landscaping on his property in the foothills just outside Ashland, Oregon. In this talk, he will present the many ways a backyard can be made more attractive and useful for birds in our region. He will also introduce the feathered neighbors that now live on or have visited his backyard and who will be likely seen during the field trip.

Karl Schneck

In Karl’s words …
“With 117 species in just over three years, I feel especially grateful for the abundance of birds seen on our property two miles north of I-5 on N. Valley View Road. 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.

We are still in the process of planting and improving our yard habitat for the birds. Watching the hummers feed from our penstemons is one example of adding features for the birds, as well as feeders, water, and shelter. Adding features for specific birds can be rewarding when your target bird shows up. Across the road, Bald Eagles come in to feed on the afterbirth of the cows. This year I had Barn Owl, American Kestrel, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle (about a mile away), Bullock’s Oriole, Brewer’s Blackbird, Western Kingbird, Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, California Towhee, and undoubtedly a number of others I didn’t know about, nesting on the property.

California Towhee © 2018 Karl Schneck

All these birds bring great joy to my life and make a great start to the day when I walk outside in the morning and take them all in. So, my goal for this class is to share my birds with you in a walk and a light lunch, hoping you will enjoy them as much as I do.”

Walk: October 20th Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

This is a field trip to Karl’s property on the edge of Ashland—bring your binoculars! Lunch will be provided (included with registration fee) on Karl’s birdy patio where the birding adventure will continue.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Science Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.

KBO’s Dr. Sarah Rockwell on the cover of The Wildlife Professional

The latest issue of The Wildlife Society’s magazine, The Wildlife Professional, features KBO Research Biologist Sarah Rockwell as its cover girl! The article mentions findings from Dr. Rockwell’s research on one of North America’s rarest songbirds – the Kirtland’s Warbler – conducted when she was a doctoral student at the University of Maryland and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. It details the story of the recovery of this species from 200 pairs in the 1970s-1980s to over 2,300 today. The article also discusses more recent research efforts to determine the Kirtland’s Warbler’s migratory routes and overwinter habitats, and evaluate whether continued Brown-headed Cowbird control is necessary.

When the Endangered Species Act was passed into law in 1973, the Kirtland’s Warbler was on the initial list of endangered and threatened species. The next challenge facing the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team is to ensure ongoing habitat protection for this conservation-reliant species. This species has been recently proposed for removal from the endangered species list because of successful progress towards population recovery, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make a decision in 2019.

The Wildlife Professional magazine is available to The Wildlife Society members. CLICK HERE to view this issue’s cover and an issue synopsis.

KBO’s Wings and Wine Gala is this Sunday. Please join us for a beautiful fall afternoon under the oak trees at Grizzly Peak Winery. More information about the event and buying tickets can be found on our WINGS AND WINE GALA WEBPAGE.

KBO interns complete an orienteering seminar on Mt. Ashland in 2012.

As a Year of the Bird event, our 2018 Wings and Wine Gala celebrates the things we can all do to support bird conservation, every day. We will be feature our internship program by raising money this critical professional education. Over the past 20 years, Klamath Bird Observatory has hosted more than 250 volunteer student interns from all over the world. These inspiring bird conservationists have gone on to work with non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions where they make significant contributions to bird conservation. Come to our Wings and Wine Gala and help us grow the next generation of bird conservationists.

The Gala’s auction times are listed online and you can start you bidding now by CLICKING HERE.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we celebrate the Year of the Bird through education, storytelling, science, and conservation.

Snow Geese and rainbow at Klamath Marsh NWR © Kirk Gooding

October 11, Thursday 6:30-8:00pm at Ashland Outdoor Store

Presented by Shannon Rio, President of the Board of Klamath Bird Observatory

The stunning photography and dramatic history of the Birding the Klamath Basin’s National Wildlife Refuges presentation will take us to some of the most amazing wildlife refuges—all within the Klamath Basin right here in our southern Oregon and northern California backyard. One of these, the Lower Klamath, was the nation’s first National Wildlife Refuge, established by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908 specifically for protection of migratory birds. The Klamath Basin refuges are recognized far and wide for sweeping vistas and spectacular birding.

This presentation is an invitation to visit the Refuges with public access and will include information on how to find them and what glory you might expect to see there. We will also discuss the Federal Duck Stamp’s role in protecting lands for wildlife and encourage the purchase of these stamps that support the Refuge. KBO Executive Director John Alexander will speak briefly on conservation, our wildlife refuges, and how we as individuals can make a difference on their behalf.

This presentation is free. The Outdoor Store is located at 37 North 3rd Street in Ashland, Oregon.

Shannon Rio is a wildlife educator who believes that when we connect with nature, we will naturally want to protect what we love: the birds and wild places.

Klamath Bird Observatory advances bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships.

Global Big Day—the massively international collaborative birding event—is October 6! The Global Big Day held in May the last four years has been such a success, another worldwide eBird Big Day in October makes perfect sense! Why October? Because spring is rejuvenating the southern hemisphere and the northern reaches of the world are in the midst of migration. No matter where you are, we’re confident you can find some great birds on October 6. Let’s see what we can find together on the first October Big Day!

Join eBird watchers all over the world for this single day of birding together. Information about participating in this eBird event and tips for finding more species are at the eBird Northwest website.

CLICK HERE for more information and to join the eBird Global Big Day October 6.

Great Gray Owl by Mel Clements

FINDING AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE GREAT GRAY OWL OF THE CASCADES
Presented by Mel Clements

Talk: September 28th Friday 6:30-8:00pm at 320 Beach Street (old Lincoln School), Ashland, Oregon

Great Gray Owl photographer Mel Clements will speak on his experience of photographing the Great Gray Owls of the Cascades. The presentation includes an introduction to the Great Gray Owl, its habitat, and the ethics of finding and photographing this magnificent, yet reclusive owl. His talk is accompanied by 43 of his photographs, a five minute dvd set to music, and small exhibit of framed photographs.

Walk: September 29th Saturday 6:30am-1:00pm – meet at 320 Beach Street, Ashland, Oregon

We will leave early so that we can arrive in the Cascade Lakes area at sunrise. Pack a lunch and dress warmly. Morning temperatures are around 37 degrees. Participants will car pool. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! More information about the field trip will be given out during the Friday evening presentation.

Fee for this Talk and Walk class is $50 ($40 for holders of the Conservation Stamp Set) with proceeds going directly to support KBO’s science and education programs.

Contact Shannon Rio at shannonrio@aol.com or call 541-840-4655 to sign up.