Bird Watching Vacation
An Bird Watchers dream is found at the
Upper Klamath Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1928 and is comprised of 15,000 acres of
mostly freshwater marsh and open water. These habitats serve as excellent
nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds
including American white pelican and several heron species. Bald eagle and
osprey nest nearby and can sometimes be seen fishing in Refuge waters. A boat is
a must for those Birdwatching enthusiasts who wish to explore the
Upper Klamath Wildlife Refuge. A marked canoe trail is open year round and canoes may be rented nearby.
Upper
Klamath Wildlife Refuge
Birding at Running Y Ranch
Resort
The abundance of unspoiled, protected lands surrounding the Running Y™
has made the area the most important gathering point for watching wild birds along the
Pacific Flyway. It is also host to the largest gathering of wintering Bald
Eagles in the continental U.S. With binoculars ready, birders have sighted the
American Bald Eagle, American White Pelican, Osprey, Canada Goose, Pintail,
Mallard, Gadwall, Canvasback, Teal, Western & Eared Grebs, Black Tern, Great
Blue
Heron, Great Egret and the Snowy Egret.
Although dammed and diked for agriculture, the Upper Klamath Basin is still the
heart of a great wetland system. A birder’s paradise, this stopover on the
Pacific Flyway hosts the largest congregation of wintering bald eagles outside
Alaska, and millions of ducks, geese and swans pass through on their fall
migrations. Its shallow waters and rivers, springs and marshlands harbor at
least 25 species of fish, freshwater mollusks and land snails found nowhere else
on Earth.
Birding Vacation Links:
Klamath Birding Trails
Hummingbirds
Kalmiopsis Audubon
Oregon Birds.org
The
Nature Conservancy
Great Basin Visitors
Association
Osprey at Graves Creek Falls / John Craig Photo
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Take the Bus leave the driving to us! Mother Merganser and her passengers.
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Mallard Drake Requesting runway clearance to land. Everybody out of the pool!
Dinner time is all the time if you want to become big-bird.
Bird Watching can be taken two ways! Here's looking at ya!
Bandon
Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Shore Birds Festival
Wonderful Bird the Pelican, his bill can hold more than his belly can!
Valley Quail checking out the morning around the Old Homestead.
Things look good over here! Now this is Birdwatching!
I'm checking it out from up here! That's what American Bald Eagles do. You will find
Bald Eagles near lakes mostly. Almost all of our high lakes have populations of
these masters of the sky. Often you will see Bald Eagles and Osprey in aerial
battle for territory or the spoils of the hunt. The Klamath Basin has a large
wintering population with a main wintering area owned and protected by
Nature Conservancy.
Osprey add a little to the nest every year and will use the same nest year after year!
Watching these great birds of prey build their nests and hunt rivers for
their dinner is a entertaining experience.
Golden Eye Duck he's Birdwatching Too!
Mom! Can I have my own room!
Seasonal Highlights
Klamath Basin
National Wildlife Refuges
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FALL
Waterfowl
migration begins in early September with the arrival of northern pintails
and greater white-fronted geese. Peak numbers of over 1 million ducks,
geese, and swans are usually present by early November with other major
species including mallard, American wigeon, green-winged teal, snow, Ross',
and Canada geese, and tundra swan. August and September are good months to
view water birds such as white pelican, double-crested cormorant, and
various herons, gulls, terns, and grebes. Most will have departed the
Klamath Basin by late October. |
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WINTER
From December
through February, the Klamath Basin hosts the largest concentration of
bald eagles in the contiguous United States. Some years more than 1000
of these majestic birds are present with most daytime use occurring at Lower
Klamath and Tule Lake Refuges. During these months a large number and
diversity of other raptors, including golden eagle, Northern harrier, and
red-tailed and rough-legged hawks also can be found. Waterfowl numbers on
the Refuges increase dramatically in February with the arrival of the first
northbound migrants. |
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SPRING
Waterfowl
numbers peak in March with more than 1 million birds present in some years.
April and May are alive with activity as many songbirds, water birds, and
shorebirds arrive in the Klamath Basin to rest and build fat reserves for
their continuing journey north. Others remain to nest in the Klamath Basin.
Three of the West's few remaining American white pelican breeding colonies
are located at Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, and Clear Lake Refuges. |
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SUMMER
Refuge wetlands
are among the most prolific waterfowl and marsh bird production areas in the
Pacific Northwest. An estimated 45,000 ducks, 2,600 Canada geese, and
thousands of other water birds are raised on the Refuges each year. Large
numbers of young can be viewed from June through August.
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Contact Rogue River Country
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