Klamath Basin Audubon Society
The Grebe
December 2006/January 2007
KBAS General Meetings
Thursday, December 14: 6:00 p.m. (Note change of time)
Program: "Local Lenses and Potluck" Celebrate the Holidays and enjoy great Audubon style party time as we gather to enjoy good food, a silent auction and a program of wildlife photos provided by YOU!
Good food: A Potluck dinner is planned. Bring a contribution such as hot dish, salad, or desert for 6 to 8 persons (this is a change from previous events which only included desert). Also please bring your own plates, cups, and utensils.
Silent Auction: Great items donated by YOU will inspire some lively, competitive biding. All proceeds go to the great KBAS local projects and educational activities. To help jump start your creative ideas, consider donating books; field guides (birds, flowers, trees, etc.); photography; paintings, stained glass; field guide packs; optics in good working condition; pack carriers for scopes; bird song tapes/CDs; bird houses; garden decorations; gift baskets; or any variety of services. Just ideas - you must have more! You only need to bring the item(s) that night: no need to report them ahead of time. However, for questions, contact Jean Van Hulzen at 541-810-2110. Bid sheets will be available.
Wildlife Photos: Your turn to shine! Bring your best slides, prints to pass around, laptop or other digital pictures to share. Humor accepted!
Thursday, January 11, 2007: 7:00 p.m.
Program: John Rakestraw, author of "Birding Oregon," part of the FalconGuide series by Globe Pequot Press will intrigue us with a powerpoint presentation featuring many of the sites and birds in the book. Checklists and seasonal abundance charts, birding sites throughout all of Oregon, as well as contact information for various federal, state, and local agencies and organizations may be found in "Birding Oregon." This promises to be a terrific program that you will not want to miss!
A short program on "Sharing the Klamath Basin Watershed - Bringing Together the Next Generation of Stakeholders" will also be featured. Jean Knight of Educational Solutions, is the speaker. The organization is preparing Klamath Basin High School programs on sharing water in the Klamath basin, as well as other basin-wide community projects.
All meetings are held in the Klamath County Courthouse, Lower Level Meeting Room, 316 Main Street, Klamath Falls. See you there!
Field Trip Reports . . .
Tule Lake Refuge
By Cy Phillips
Eleven people gathered on a very nice day (October 14) to tour the Tule Lake area. We started the trip inside the visitor's center and saw a number of birds, including a Varied Thrush which was the main attraction. We found many additional birds just across Hill Road and out towards the first kiosk. The star attraction in that area was an American Bittern which jumped up very close to us.
We then began to travel south along Hill Road and stopped at the overlook, where we found a variety of waterfowl and grebes, plus some Pelicans. However the big find at this stop was an absolutely magnificent Golden Eagle soaring over the ridge behind the overlook. The next stop was "hotel rock" where we immediately found a Barn Owl in the rocks above the road. There were also some additional waterfowl and shore birds in this area.
We found some geese along the auto tour along with additional waterfowl species. At various places along the way we saw immature Western Grebes that are almost completely white this time of year. They were still begging for food and when they saw an adult with food they would take off like a miniature motorboat in a high speed race to reach the food as soon as possible.
Sump B, which is still being re-filled with water, was full of many duck species and some geese who were feasting on the seeds of the vegetation that had grown up while the sump was dry during the summer. A stop at the Petroglyphs yielded another Barn Owl along with a Prairie Falcon.
In one of the stubble fields on the right side of the tour route we counted 174 Great Egrets in a group and about 6 Great Blue Herons mixed in. It was an impressive sight.
Some of us stopped to check out Photo Blind 4 on the way back to the refuge office and were rewarded with a Bald Eagle soaring over the ridge next to Hill Road. In total we saw 66 species of birds, plus coyotes and deer.
Participants: Philip Carr, Cy Phillips, B.J. Matson, Andrew Matson, Damian Matson, Mike & Ruth Smith, Marshall Moser, Dave Potter and Charlotte Ann. The trip leader was Michele Nuss.
Where Did That Car Go? a.k.a. Raptor Round Up
By Julie Van Moorhem
Those in the know turned over and went back to sleep--the rest of us (Ken Johnston and Kevin Spencer, trip leaders, Jo Massey, Elaine and Bill Deutschman, and Julie Van Moorhem) met at 0815 for the Butte Valley Raptor Round-up on November 18. The sky was cloudy and overcast, but at least it wasn't raining. We met Dick Ashford, another leader, Charlotte Kisling, Shanna Simmons, and Brian Norton in Dorris at 0900.
It was somewhat foggy, but we decided to set off into Butte Valley on the search for raptors. After about an hour we gave it up--it was not quite pea soup-thick, but we couldn't see much--we could see the car ahead if we stayed close but if we got separated too far we lost sight of them. Decided to go back to Stateline Road and see if we could find better visibility. It worked--sort of. Visibility was better but as long as we stayed near water we had fog. Kevin led us up onto Lower Klamath Road heading east and our luck began to change. We saw a beautiful Prairie Falcon that was a little on the large size. We all looked and looked and tried to make it into a Gyrfalcon, but we just couldn't do it--no matter how we looked at it, it was a Prairie Falcon--probably a female. While at this stop, we also saw a Ferruginous Hawk sitting on the ground and a Northern Harrier.
We started for the next location and noticed that the rest of the group hadn't moved. With our wonderful radios we discovered that they had seen a Merlin and while watching that, they found a Peregrine Falcon. Counting the American Kestrel that was also in the area it was a 4-Falcon Stop!! Kevin heard a Lapland Longspur while we waited for the rest of the group to get their fill of the Peregrine.
We headed east and went around the end of the ridge over to Beusing and Chin Roads. We saw a Bald Eagle here along with a Ferruginous Hawk and a Rough-legged Hawk. For our last stop we went to Spring Lake. Again there was a hawk or two but not much. Tundra Swan, Snow Geese, Canvasback, American Coot, and Pied-billed Grebe took the place of raptors. At this point the group split up and people began their trip home. Elaine and Bill, Kevin and I went to look for the CaliforniaTowhee by the A-Canal Diversion along the Link River. We saw lots of Golden-crowned Sparrows and soon heard the familiar "chink" call note of the California Towhee. Soon Kevin spotted the bird and we had some brief looks at it.
Not too many raptors were in the area--it seemed a little early for large concentrations, I think. And though our group was not large, we had a good time--in spite of the fog.
Field Trips Schedule
Saturday, December 9 Rare Bird Chase
Exact route of this trip will depend on what rare birds are being reported and location. Meet at the new Fish & Wildlife Office, 1936 California Ave., off the on-ramp to Hwy 97 South from Nevada/Oregon Ave. (This is the old Klamath Ranger District Office) at 8:30 a.m. The first viewing spot may be near Putnam Point, Moore Park, or Veterans Park. A lunch is optional but recommended because we will not know until that day how many locations we will try to cover or how long it will last.
Saturday, January 13, 2007 Bird Feeder Hop
The details of this trip will be determined after a line-up of feeder locations is developed. The tour will start at 9:00 a.m. from the Fish & Wildlife Office, 1936 California Ave. (see above) Some refreshments may be served along the way by hosts.
Saturday, February 24, 2007 Winter Wings Unusual Bird Sightings Follow-up
The trip will start at 9:00 a.m. from the Fish & Wildlife Office, 1936 California Ave. (see above)
Questions regarding any trips: Call or e-mail Julie Van Moorhem, 882-4488 or
Fall North America Migration Count (NAMC)
By Kevin Spencer
Spending all day searching and looking at birds is always a fun day, and this year's Fall North America Bird Migration count day was no exception. By the end of the day, six observers tallied more than 120 species and counted over 9 thousand birds.
In years past, the tactic was to assign groups to different areas of Klamath County in order to search thoroughly and get coverage. All the reports from those areas were then added up. This year's tactic was traveling to numerous locations as just one group. Trying to fit all of Klamath County's great birding locations into one day covered by just one group is nearly impossible, so the best of the best were narrowed down to just enough locations to visit and still have a pleasant day.
The day began at Lake Ewauna, and quickly moved to Putnam's Point. Water birds such as grebes, pelicans, cormorants, and herons were seen at those locations. A short walk down the Link River trail turned up some warblers and GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Then onto Odessa Campground, where it seemed somewhat quiet, but everyone had some great looks at LEWIS'S WOODPECKER and HERMIT THRUSH, and a single CASSIN'S VIREO was heard singing. Rocky Point boat launch was the next stop where the group got some up close views of a GREEN HERON. Malone Spring was the next stop, but that location seemed even less active, so it was onto Seven-mile Guard Station. On the way through a section of gravel road between Westside Rd., and Nicholson Rd., the group found some TOWNSEND'S and HERMIT WARBLERs.
After a short stay at the guard station, the next stop was Wood River Wetlands. This stop had many species not yet seen for the day. Wes Stone didn't overlook FRANKLIN'S GULLS circling overhead as they were catching insects. An AMERICAN BITTERN quietly flew off and away towards a section of the marsh. Several flycatchers were seen including DUSKY and WILLOW. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE made an appearance, as they are normally found there.
About the best bird of the day, a BLACK PHOEBE was seen near the bridge. This would make about the 5th individual seen in the Klamath Basin for the fall season, and shows how this species keeps increasing in numbers on the east side of the
Cascades. A stop at Henzel Park at the south end of Agency Lake had a quick glimpse of a pair of shorebirds flying away and might be "the ones that got away", as they showed field marks that could support either Red Phalarope or Sanderling, both of which are very rare in the Basin.
As the afternoon time was running out, a quick trip down to Township Rd and the Lower Klamath seemed too quick to really look closely at birds, but none the less, PEREGRINE FALCON, TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD, SWAINSON'S HAWK, were seen, and near Merrill, EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES were seen; a somewhat recent and rapidly expanding exotic that has arrived in Klamath County.
While the Fall Migration count can't be fairly compared the Spring count, it is still a good time to get out and see some good birds. And the Fall NAMC certainly had its share of good birds this year. The observers on this trip were: Wes Stone, BJ Matzen, Julie Van Moorhem, Jean Van Hulzen, Marilyn Christian, and Kevin Spencer.
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Plan now to join fellow birders for the 107th CBC and help make it the best ever. As part of three winter birding activities hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it is just great fun to do during the holidays. See www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/
Time: Saturday, December 16, 2006, all day (7:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Location: 7 areas to cover by 7 groups (within 15 mi. diameter circle centered at Klamath Falls Airport). Areas include: Lost River, Spring Lake, Miller Island, Greensprings, Klamath Falls town, Link River, and Lake Ewauna
Why? To provide a window of winter bird population data for this area at this time of year, AND to have fun while looking at birds.
A compilation and potluck dinner will follow at the home of Julie VanMoorhem, 3510 Pine Tree Drive, off Pine Grove Road, just east of Shield Crest Golf Course starting at 5:00 pm. Of course you'll learn what others found during the day.
For more information and to participate, contact the count compiler: Kevin Spencer, 541-884-5739, or email: .
Book Review . . .
By Philip Zalesky
Need a Christmas gift idea? Birds of Washington State by George H. Bell and Gregory Kennedy, Lone Pine Publishing International, 1808 B Street NW Suite 140, Auburn Washington, 98001, 2006, $21.95
When I was sent a copy of this book and asked to review it, I had expectations of another birding guide to places in the state of Washington. It could be compared to where-to bird guides in Oregon such as The Great Oregon Birding Trails and other local guides...all good sources about where to bird in Washington and Oregon. Who needs another guide to birding places?
Surprise! It's not a where-to-bird guide. It's a field guide. Now my comparison must be to Peterson, Kaufmann, Stokes, and Sibley. How does it stack up? If there was one book I would recommend for any field trip in the state of Oregon, the Bell-Gregory book is the one. It has all the information you could possibly use. But this is a book about the birds in the state of Washington. So why am I recommending that it be a first choice field guide to the flyway of the Klamath Basin?
What does this field guide have to offer birders in the Klamath Basin? I find it has features found in no other field guide. The paintings are clear and definitive. Innovations abound within this book. To start with, it has "A quick guide to the bird groups" on the back cover, arranging the birds in a non-traditional way by groupings such as waterfowl, diving birds, shorebirds, birds of prey, finch-like birds, woodpeckers, etc. - altogether 25 groups. Each is color coded and can be turned to by a page number with the color; also, by looking at the closed book you see small colored index matching lines. If you are like me and want to look at every bird in the book to find the right one, it has seven reference pages of small species pictures arranged for picking. Easy ways to find your observed bird!
Author Brian H. Bell is the president of the Washington Ornithological Society and works as a full time professional birding and natural history guide with 30 years in California and Washington pursuing his birding natural history passion. Gregory Kennedy is the author of many books on natural history and has produced films as well as television programs on environmental issues worldwide. Bell and Gregory must have listened to every birder they ever contacted to see what birders wanted in a field guide. It seems all the suggestions have been answered. The paintings (clear and precise and digital-like renditions) occupy about one-third of a page with each page devoted to one of the 320 birds. The authors start with a general paragraph of the idiosyncrasies of the bird. On each page you will find the following: range map, ID, habitat, nesting, feeding, voice, similar species, best sites for finding the bird. Of interest regarding the range maps, not found elsewhere, is a color for migration/post breeding dispersal.
No other field guide I know of gives the birder such complete information. It would take very little to convert this to a Birds of Oregon field guide. We divide our time between Washington and the Klamath Basin and bird extensively in both areas. I will not be able to use the range maps or the best sites for finding the species, but all in all it has what I expect from a field guide and more. I have decided I will use it in the Klamath Basin on our bird field trips. What it covers about birds for Washington it covers to a needed extent for Oregon.
I would list this book as our most recent great field guide.
Note: Philip Zalesky is a member of both Pilchuck Audubon Society and Klamath Basin Audubon, spending seven to nine weeks every year at Harriman-Rocky Point, birding the Klamath Basin area. Zalesky was the first president and an organizer of the North Cascades Conservation Council - an organization that conceived of and promoted to conclusion the North Cascades National Park. He has served on this board for 50 years and is presently secretary and his wilfe Laura is membership chair. In 2005 the Washington Trails Association named Phil and Laura jointly as one of 12 Living Legends of Wilderness.
Relicensing Klamath Hydroelectric Project
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for relicensing of PacifiCorp's 161-megawatt Klamath Hydroelectric Project, located primarily on the Klamath River in Klamath County, Oregon and Siskiyou County, California has been available for comment. On average, the project generates 716,820 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. The project occupies 219 acres of lands of the United States, which are administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The existing project consists of eight developments, seven of which are located on the Klamath River. PacifiCorp proposes to decommission the upstream-most East Side and West Side developments and to remove the Keno development, which has no generating facilities, from the project. The remaining project developments on the main stem of the Klamath River are J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate. The proposed project also includes the existing Fall Creek development, located on a Klamath River tributary.
An extension of the due date for receipt of written comments to December 1, 2006 has been announced. This is a very significant environmental issue and leaders of all the stakeholders as well as the governors have been negotiating solutions.
For more information, plus instructions on e-mailing comments, visit the website: www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/eis/09-25-06.asp.
New California Wilderness Designated
Take time to celebrate some very good news in the world of conservation! October 17, 2006, The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act was signed into law. The bill was championed by Congressman Mike Thompson and Senators Boxer and Feinstein.
This bill designated some 273,000 acres of public land as wilderness and 21 miles of Wild and Scenic River in California's first congressional district, which stretches from the Oregon border to West Sacramento and includes some of the most scenic and rugged country in all of California. It protects some of the North Coast's most incredible areas including the King Range, the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 states. The Cache Creek area is just a short drive from the Sacramento area and is home to an incredible wildflower display in the spring and California's second largest wintering bald eagle population. This bill also takes important steps toward preserving intact watersheds vital to the health of the North Coast's imperiled salmon and steelhead runs.
For the full story and map, visit action.wilderness.org/ct/t1NAeW11IqZm/.
Field Notes
By Julie Van Moorhem
This is a relatively new column, and we hope that many of you who are frequently out in the field or watching your feeder birds will share your sightings. As a reminder, we are interested in some of the less common birds found in the Klamath Basin, those that might be of particular interest to others, those that arrive early or stay late for the year, or those that are seen in large concentrations. We encourage you to also post your sightings on the KBAS website's Birder's Message Board (a link to complete instructions is available) so people have a chance to get out and see the birds immediately. If you have problems, contact Charlotte Kisling at . Report your sightings to me directly if you do not put them on the website: or 882-4488. Please include your name, phone number (in case we need to contact you), location and date of sighting, bird/s and numbers if notable. This column will be successful only if you help!
HORNED GREBE, Link River, and Putnam Pt., Nov. 11, (JVM)
RED-NECKED GREBE, 1, transitioning to basic plumage, Lake Ewauna and upstream, 11 Nov., (JVM)
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - 1, female, Lake Ewauna, 9 Nov. (KS)
WOOD DUCK, 5 drakes and 4 hens, Loosely Rd., 19 Nov., (JVM, KS, mob)
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, Link R., near Putnam's Pt., 28 Oct. (KS) and Wood River Wetland, 19 Nov., (PS)
MERLIN, OFWS Office, California Ave., Nov. 18, (KS)
PRAIRIE FALCON, Bonanza Oct. 22, (JVH), and 18 Nov., (KBAS Field Trip DA, CK,ED, BD JM, KJ, KS, JVM))
PEREGRINE FALCON, Lower Klamath Lake Rd., 18 Nov, (KBAS Field Trip DA, CK, ED, BD JM, KJ)
BONAPARTE'S GULL, numbers down from 1,000's last month, but are being seen around most water locations (KS)
LONG-EARED OWL, OC&E Trail at Beatty area, 2 Oct., (JVM)
WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER pair, Odessa Campground area, 19 Nov., (KS, PS, mob)
YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER, 1, 6 Nov., slightly east of Beatty, on OC&E Bike Trail, near historical cemetery on Sprague R. aspen/riparian area. (KS)
BLACK PHOEBE - 1, Lake Ewauna, Wingwatchers' Trail, 8 Nov. (KS) and from bridge at Merrill, 19 Nov., (PS)
GRAY JAY, 2, Horseglades Trailhead on OC&E Trail, 2 Oct., (JVM)
PINYON JAY, 400-500 Bonanza, 10 Oct. (JVH) and 40, slightly east of Beatty, on OC&E Bike Trail, near historical cemetery, 6 Nov. (KS)
AMERICAN CROW, 7, near Henzel Park, south end of Agency Lk., 9 Nov., moving south in usual time for most Klamath Co. observations (away from Klamath Marsh). (KS)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, 6-8, Wood River Wetlands entrance trail, 8 Nov., typical post breeding numbers for location.
WINTER WREN, Pinegrove yard, 18, 26, 27 Oct., (JVM)
AMERICAN DIPPER, Collier SP, 19 Nov., (JVM)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, near A-Canal Diversion on Link R., 12 Nov.(JVM)
SAGE THRASHER, Pinegrove yard, 31 Oct., (JVM) and Bonanza, 20 Oct. (JVH)
CALIFORNIA TOWHEE, near A-Canal Diversion on Link R., 9 Nov. and 2 seen on 12 Nov., (JVM) and 1 seen on 18 Nov., (KS, BD, ED, & JVM)
EVENING GROSBEAK, 50 Westside Rd. mid-Oct., (JVH) and 100+ Wood River Day Use Area, 19 Nov., (JVM)
Contributors: Dick Ashford (DA), Bill Deutschman (BD), Elaine Deutschman (ED), Ken Johnston (KJ), Charlotte Kisling (CK), Jo Massey (JM), Kevin Spencer (KS), Paul Sulllivan (PS), Jean Van Hulzen (JVH), Julie Van Moorhem (JVM),
President's Message
By Ralph Opp, KBAS President 2006/07
It seems that we are well into our winter season. We've had enough cold weather, snow and our usual abundant compliment of migratory birds moving south through the Klamath Basin. Bald eagles and some other bird species have returned to winter in the Klamath Basin plus the sale of snow shovels and the gritty sound of snow tires on our streets, all good indicators of wintertime in the Klamath Basin.
I like to add a gentle reminder that if you feed birds through the winter see that their feeders are kept clean and that once started you should continue to feed until spring weather returns. We don't usually begin feeding until harsh weather and snow cover makes it harder for birds to scrounge 'wild' food. It seems like a dirty trick to 'hook' birds to winter feed then leave them 'out in the cold' without the food they have become so used to. Our usual Cooper's hawk has again returned to our feeders to feed off our abundant supply of wintering songbirds and quail. As an active wildlife ecologist I recall reminding people, as early as September, they should take down those sugar feeders to remind the hanger-on hummers to go south. And too, more than once, 'No Ethel it is not a good idea to put a heater on that porch feeder through the winter.'
We very recently received an alert that there are plans to close wildlife refuges basically due to under funding by the Bush Administration. According to work plans obtained by The Wilderness Society the federal government may close or de-staff dozens of national wildlife refuges in the northeastern and southeastern U.S. The report indicates more work plans for refuges across the rest of the nation are due to be released in the near future. As you can well imagine this issue have very drastic implications for our very important Klamath Basin refuge system. (I guess by the very nature that they are refuges, they are very important to wildlife and people. Gee duh!) We will try to stay on top of this drastic issue.
Your board of directors is lining up some very interesting program speakers and field trips for the remainder of the meeting year. Keep an eye on our newsletter and the local newspaper for detailed information. Please join us at the monthly meetings and help support your chapter. Remember you are also welcome at our board meetings. We want your suggestions and feed back as this is your Audubon chapter.
Editor's Note: To read more regarding refugee closures, visit action.wilderness.org/ct/57NAeW11IqZu/
The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.
-Shakti Gawain
DID YOU KNOW?
By Ralph Opp, KBAS historian
That a collection of eagles is called a 'Convocation'?
The Klamath Basin Audubon Society, (KBAS) chapter had its very first general meeting on September 17, 1981 and published its first newsletter about October of the same year, Vol. 1 Issue 1. That newsletter indicated the chapter was starting off with a bang. It listed 5 field trips for Oct. through Dec., including the first KBAS Christmas bird count, a Thursday October 8th general meeting at OIT and a potluck dinner for a group of British birders Lew Leidwinger was the chapter's first president. At about 35 members initially we were a little short on member numbers so may have fudged a little to get National Audubon's blessing for a one year provisional chapter charter. By April of 1982 we had 9 board members, including 4 officers, and 6 committee chair positions. They covered conservation, education, field trips, membership, newsletter and program and publicity activities. We promised to try scheduling at least one field trip a month.
As reported in the Feb. 1982 KBAS newsletter the KBAS organized its first Klamath Falls Christmas Bird count, which took place on December 27th 1981. One hundred thirteen species were seen totaling 16,778 individuals. The Christmas count area in the Klamath Basin is reported to be over 100 years old this year. Eight species were reported for the first time in the Christmas count.
Our logo, the Grebe was selected from several possible birds at the February 1982 board meeting.
The bald eagle lost out due largely to another Oregon chapter (Bend) already having the eagle (golden) as their logo. The pelican, egret and bald eagle were runners up.
Stay tuned for more "Did You Know?" in future newsletters.
Note: A collection of historic newsletters may be seen periodically at general meetings or upon request.
WORDS TO LIVE BY
Live with intention
Walk to the edge
Listen hard
Practice wellness
Play with abandon
Laugh
Choose with no regret
Continue to learn
Do what you love
Live as if this is all there is.
-Author Unknown
Board Member Profiles
Ken Johnston, Program Chair and Past President
Ken Johnston grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where he enjoyed hiking and camping in the mountains, and where he graduated from the University of Colorado on a wrestling scholarship and was a national AAU Champion in 1966. He graduated from CU with a B.A. in Biology in the same year. He later served as an officer in the Navy during the Viet Nam War and used the GI bill to get his masters degree in zoology at Chico State University in California. He has worked as a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska and for the National Park Service as a ranger naturalist in several National Parks, including Denali, Olympic, Lassen, and Mesa Verde.
Ken was a secondary education teacher in Klamath Basin for the last seventeen years. He just retired in June, when he subsequently took a trip to New York for his youngest daughter's wedding. In going to N.Y. and back, he drove over 15,000 miles (with gas prices nearing or exceeding $3.00/gallon - (Ouch!), visiting relatives & friends, stopping at National Parks and Historic Areas, and doing research in libraries, museums and historical archives for a writing project. He is working on a book on the pioneer, Peter Lassen, and his contribution to the development of the Lassen/Applegate Emigrant Trail.
Ken returned from his summer journey in November and is now dealing, he says, with the "guilt" of not having to go to work every day and act like a productive citizen. But, he adds, a cup of coffee and a hot roll in the morning at Swan's Bakery helps immeasurably! And doing just what he wants to every day or just being able to write on his book is his idea of living like the "Rich & Famous" even though he is doing it on a budget.
Ken was both president of the Klamath Basin Audubon Society and the editor of the Grebe newsletter for several years. He has been interested in birding and animal behavior since college and has birded in such exotic places as Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Africa, and the Klamath Basin.
He is still on the Board of Directors for the Klamath Basin Audubon Society and is happy to see that the membership is increasing and that the programs and activities are getting better attendance than in the past.
Ken has two daughters and one son--all married, and one grandson, that he will visit often, but he plans to remain in the Klamath Basin, stay active in Audubon, finish his book as soon as possible, travel the world "extensively," and spend more time in the out-of-doors being a grandpa to his grandson, Ryan Nork.
Jo Massey, Membership Chair
Jo Massey grew up in northern Colorado with a family who taught her to love the outdoors at an early age. As an adult she lived in several places, as diverse as Los Angeles, California; Kerrville, Texas; Cody, Wyoming; and Anchorage, Alaska, where she spent 14 years. She moved to Oregon four years ago. She has four grown daughters and two adult step children, who have given her 13 youngsters who call her "Grandma Jo."
Jo is a writer, speaker and trainer. Beyond Solitude, a Cache of Alaska Tales was published in 2004. As a presenter of writing and communication seminars, Jo has the opportunity to travel and speak all over the country, as well as internationally. Some of these trips have had the side benefit of birding in exotic locations, including New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, and points around the USA. When not traveling for her job, she spends her time writing and traveling with Ken.
Jo is the membership chair for KBAS, a position that keeps the membership list updated, sends reminders for renewals, and encourages people interested in birding and environmental issues in Klamath Basin to join with other of like mind.
KBAS Finance Report
Current financial worth is $8,029.
Tom Essex, KBAS Treasurer
Board Schedule/Location
Please call the host for directions (see the Contact Us page). All members are welcomed at Board meetings
| DATE | LOCATION/HOME |
| January 3, 2007 | Julie Van Moorhem |
| February 7, 2007 | Marilyn Christian |
| March 7, 2007 | Tom Essex |
| April 4, 2007 | Ralph Opp |
| May 2, 2007 | Charlotte Kisling |
Welcome New Members
Welcome to the following new members. Please join us at the next meeting!
| Paul Albertson | Sharon Kirkpatrick |
| Kathy Berkey | Michele Nuss |
| Ralph Breitenstein | Janet Paxson |
| Cathleen Casey | Howard Rea |
| Ada Curry | Lonice Rice |
| Adam Dillon | Joseph Ridley |
| Sharolyn Gallagher | Fern Robinson |
| Chet Hasselbrink |
Olympic BirdFest 2007
Sequim, Washington, March 30 - April 1, 2007
Information at: www.olympicbirdfest.org
Phone: 360-681-4076
E-mail:
Winter Wings Festival
Thursday, February 15 - Sunday, February 18, 2007
Save the Date!
Brochure to be mailed early December
Visit newly designed website now:
www.winterwingsfest.org
