Fall migration is in full swing. Come see it in person and up close at KBO’s banding station at Crater Lake National Park. You will get to meet our amazing and knowledgeable banding crew, learn about the science behind banding, and of course, see birds up close! There isn’t a better way to close out the summer. The banding station is welcoming visitors every Tuesday through the end of September.
Registration is required. To register and for all important information about this program, visit https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/bird-banding.htm.
DATES: Every Tuesday morning through end of September, rain or shine
TIME: 8:15 – 10:00 am
COST: Free

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Uncovering the Secrets of the Oregon Vesper Sparrow

Oregon Vesper Sparrows are a prime example of what birders call “little brown jobs” – small, drab, hard-to-identify birds that we sometimes overlook. But this little brown job is an imperiled subspecies unique to the Pacific Northwest, one that serves as an indicator of the health of our grassland ecosystems, and needs our attention and protection. With its populations small and declining, the Oregon Vesper Sparrow has recently been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Klamath Bird Observatory is undertaking a multi-year, full life cycle study to help determine the causes of its decline – always a challenge for a migratory bird that can be impacted by events on their breeding, migratory stop-over, or overwintering grounds. However, new technologies such as miniaturized GPS tags and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System are starting to uncover the secrets of where these birds go when they’re away from our study sites. Dr. Sarah Rockwell will share some recent research on this unique at-risk subspecies, including what we’ve learned from detailed nesting studies and new migration tracking technology.

Zoom instructions: If you haven’t registered for RVAS virtual events, you will need to do so. Once registered, you will receive a link with the virtual address for the meeting.
Click on this link to register: https://www.roguevalleyaudubon.org/zoom-signup/

First Wednesday Bird Walk has resumed at the Denman Wildlife Area. Walks begin at 8:30 am and end before noon. Jim Hostick is the leader. The gate will be open from 8:00 – 8:20 am. Participants need to purchase an ODFW Area Parking Permit at the ODFW Office, Sportsman Warehouse on Delta Waters and Highway 62 in Medford, or at Bi-Mart. We request that all participants be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Directions to meeting spot: We will meet at the entrance off Agate Rd. between 1/4 and 1/2 mile past the fire station on the left side of the road. Coming out Table Rock Rd., turn right on Antelope Rd. and go to the light on Agate Rd. and turn left. The fire station will be on your left at the corner of Ave. G and Agate Rd. Go 1/4 to /12 mile past the fire station and the gate will be on your left. Coming out on Highway 62 to Antelope Rd., turn left and go to the next light. Turn right and continue to the gate on Agate Rd.

Local birding enthusiast Janet Kelly will be leading a two part fall bird walk on Saturday October 15.

The first part of the walk will be at the “Holy Waters” of the Rogue River (below Lost Creek Lake Dam), the second part will be along the shoreline of Lost Creek Lake.

Fall is such a vibrant time of year. Along with beautiful colors there will be a wide variety of wintering waterfowl gathered including Lesser and Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common and Hooded Mergansers, and maybe even one of the goldeneyes. Along the lake shoreline sandpipers, Ring-billed, California and Bonaparte’s Gulls, and a tern or two are possible. Other birds on the lake this time of year often include Surf Scoters, Common Loons and various grebe species. We will look for Horned Larks and American Pipits foraging on the ground among the rocks as we walk the shoreline and the flats.

Both parts of the walk are easy. The river walk is level, along an old road with some pavement and gravel. Getting to the shoreline of the lake for part two, from Medco A access point, will be on a dirt road with a slight incline and some gravel.

DATE: Saturday, October 15
TIME: 8:00 am – open
MEETING PLACE: Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery Public Parking
BRING: Binoculars, (optional)Spotting Scope & Camera, Good pair of walking shoes, food & water, dress for the weather.
COST: Free
Restrooms Available

Limited to 10 participants.

For Registration and Info:
Email –
Janet Kelly
chamkell@msn.com