KBAS field trip to Fort Klamath area

[rrip...@charter.net]

Hello All,

 

There were 15 people on this trip. Excellent weather, mostly sunny, started out cool, but pleasant walking tempertures, no wind

 

Stops along the day:

Wood River Day Use Area

Jackson Kimball State Park

Dixon Bridge/Wood River stop

Seven-mile Guard Station

Flooded Field N of Fort Klamath along Crater Lake Hwy

Hackler Road

Mare's Egg Spring, stop

Wood River Wetlands

 

Brief overview/highlights

Went to Wood River Day Use Area where there were Evening Grosbeaks, Types 1 and a few Type 2s. flying around, and gleaning buds from Quaking Aspens. Red-breasted Sapsuckers were very busy chasing one another. I wonder what was going on there? Ha! There were several minutes that a Pygmy Nuthatch was seen not moving much as it was inspecting a nesthole. Black-capped Chickadee pair were foraging there. Many House Wrens singing and seemed to be on territory, singing. A Brown Creeper was seen up close and it's small "Gonzo" bill was mentioned.

 

At Jackson Kimball State Park, numerous Red-breasted Nuthatches calling, Pileated Woodpecker had distant calls, and drumming, and across the Wood River whose headwaters were nearby, loud pecking heard. A Nashville Warbler was singing, a first of the year for me! One Cassin's Finch had calls that were distinctively differerent than the Purple Finch call at that stop. 

 

At the Dixon Bridge crossing the Wood River, the American Dipper was seen. It's likely nesting under the bridge. We observed it pumping its body up and down, and then jumping to the water, putting its head underwater, looking and checking what was there, and then submerging for a few seconds. It was seen with presumably some prey items on a couple of times it was seen resurfacing. Cliff Swallows were calling and sailing across the bridge. Will they be building nests under the bridge also?

 

At Seven-mile Guard Station it was quiet. But there was a group of Chestnut-backed Chickadees heard. All of the chickadee species that are residents in the Klamath Basin were seen or heard by the group on this day. It was decided to return to Fort Klamath to try to observe some shorebirds seen on the way to the guard station. On the way back, along Nicholson Road, numerous Mountain Bluebirds were seen. One male with its sky blue plumage was seen through a scope. 

 

Flooded Field N of Fort Klamath had two Long-billed Curlews and about 80 Greater Yellowlegs. Their yellow legs were much brighter on this day than ones seen back in February, or winter time. The curlews did not recite their amazing courtship song. Maybe those on the trip will get to hear it on another day.

 

Along Hackler Road, there were a few Mountain Bluebirds, and a Red-tailed Hawk seen on a nest. One Western Meadowlark was heard by all. Horned Larks were heard as the van window was down. But since the rest of the group did not hear, it was omitted from the trip list. 

 

Mare's Egg Spring, at the two wide pullouts along the north end of Westside Road was a stop where the group got to see the globular, or maybe better described as spherical, algae balls that are common at springs in the Klamath Basin where springs have cool nearly pure water coming out into a pool of water. Although some breezes rilled the water, between some winds, and during some calm still moments the water settled down enough to see these uique objects of nature. It's certainly interesting, and points to the amazing place this area is.

 

At Wood River Wetlands the day was winding down. Although the bird life here has definitely not hit its peak yet,  the Yellow-headed Blackbirds were present to start off that stop on the right foot. Marsh Wrens were chattering away,  and the small Pied-billed Grebe was "yelping" its loud calls. That calling song is so loud that it's hard to believe that such a small bird could produce such a sound. Rind-billed Ducks were the most common waterfowl, oh wait, no that would be American Coots, which were pointed out as the "favorte food of Bald Eagles". To end the day, there were two Horned Grebes seen in a scope near the shore of Agency Lake. This grebe species is so stunning when seen in full breeding plumage. It's hard to imagine that Eared Grebe can be outdone, but in my opinion, the Horned Grebe is quite showy. They haven't reached full breeding plumage yet, so you might find some more stunning individuals later in spring. They usually are not found after later May in the Klamath Basin. While  talking to some people a male Rufous Hummingbird rang by. I say "rang" as the males of this species have special sound, a ringing sound to their wings.One other person besides me heard it.

 

I pasted a link to the species list seen and heard on this day. Seeing the list and the species can help you further study what was seen, or prepare you for the next trip,  maybe out on your own. Copy and paste this link into your browser to see the list. If you were not able to go on the trip.  You can at least see what is being seen  locally, in the basin, or where to go and see birds.

 

https://ebird.org/tripreport-invite/502873/editor/4p8L3vg0fEX1cwKGgVj1cBtApQE

 

Maybe see you on a future trip.

Good Birding!

 

Kevin Spencer

rrip...@charter.net

[Jean Van Hulzen]

Nice report Kevin.  Good group of participants and large number of species seen.

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