Date: 4/19/26 7:58 pm From: Jean Van Hulzen <jeanatrockypoint...> Subject: Re: [KlamathBasinBirdNews] KBAS field trip to Fort Klamath area
Nice report Kevin. Good group of participants and large number of species
seen.
On Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 12:46 PM <rriparia...> wrote:
> 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
> <rriparia...>
>
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