February Meeting Cancellation Announcement

Due to very unsafe road and path conditions, including:roads, icy and uneven paths and sidewalks in the area of the museum, and very cold temperatures, it has been decided that the Klamath Basin Audubon Society meeting for Wednesday, February 12, has been cancelled.

 Further, the topic presentation "Short-eared Owls", by Dave Haupt will be rescheduled for the May general meeting. The field trip to see the Short-eared Owls however, is still scheduled to happen on late Saturday afternoon, February 15.

Field Trip Opportunity!

Short-eared Owls, Lower Klamath Lake NWR, Oregon side
Saturday, February 15th, 3:00 pm to dark

This trip will go to an area where Short-eared Owls have been seen during this winter period. Arriving in the late afternoon and still daylight will allow time to see “early birds”; ones who become active before sunset. Their hunting habitat is similar to the habitat favored by Northern Harriers. Short-eared Owls that are active early sometimes interact with the harriers before the Harriers call it a day. If interested in participating in this trip, contact Kevin Spencer: rriparia@charter.net

Meet at the Locomotive at Veteran’s Park, Klamath Falls by 3:00 pm. Dress for decreasing temperatures. Observations may be from both inside and outside of vehicles. Bring binoculars since they are useful into dusk. The trip will conclude when it becomes dark. It is about a forty-five-minute return drive to Klamath Falls and will be near 7:00 pm. So, consider eating prior to the trip.

Short-eared Owls will be the program topic at the February meeting.

The Grebe Newsletter
February/March 2025

Hello All,

 Please read this attached newsletter from the Klamath Basin Audubon Society.   It contains loads of information about recent happenings in the Klamath Basin and events and activities yet to come!

 I hope to see you at an event, activity, or even on the trail. KBAS needs more voices like you!

 Good Birding!

 Kevin Spencer, KBAS President

PLEASE NOTE: DONATIONS ARE IN ADDITION to membership dues. Each must be done separately. T0 join or renew Click on the link below.

What are the Membership Benefits? Annual membership in Klamath Basin Audubon Society provides:

• Opportunities to volunteer in a variety of important capacities.

• You get the inside scoop on important KBAS programs and field trips.

• An email subsciption to the our newsletter, The Grebe. You can read past issues here: The Grebe

• Learn more about what we do.

• Read our Chapter By-Laws.

Board of Directors and Committees

General members are always invited and welcome to attend the KBAS Board meetings to help in planning future activities and to discuss Board policies.  We meet the first Wednesday of every month from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Currently those meetings are held using ZOOM.

Board Members

Contact Info email: dsamuels@charter.net

Our Chapter: Chapter History

Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act and Oregon's classification of the Bald Eagle as endangered within the state in 1973, biologists from California and Oregon learned of the significance of the Bear Valley area southwest of Klamath Falls to these iconic birds. Ralph Opp, one of those biologists who mapped the Bear Valley area, worked with The Nature Conservancy who brokered the transfer of private lands to the Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1978, 4000 acres of Bear Valley became the Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 1000 acres being designated as the core eagle roosting area. In the same year, the Bald Eagle was placed on the federal endangered species list.

In 1980, the first Bald Eagle Conference was held in Klamath Falls with the help of the Portland and Eugene Audubon chapters and the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges. Issues of bald eagle management relative to the habitat, politics, and the economy of the area were discussed by professionals and conservationists. The conference included a fly-out experience at Bear Valley. The Klamath Basin Audubon Society (KBAS) was chartered in 1983 and began sponsoring the Bald Eagle Conference in 1984. The Bald Eagle Conference continued annually in February until 2005 when it was expanded and renamed the Winter Wings Festival. KBAS continues to produce the Winter Wings Festival, which draws hundreds of visitors annually to enjoy the eagles and many other bird species that make their winter home in the Klamath Basin. The Winter Wings Festival has been recognized by birding magazines as the oldest birding festival in the United States.

Looking for something fun to do while you stay home and stay safe? The National Audubon Society has put together some fun bird stuff for everyone to enjoy.

 A birdy “care package” is a webpage with all of Audubon’s best bird photos, videos and stories.