Birding the Basin

May 31, 2008

OBOL and Klamath Basin Bird News,I observed a female PURPLE MARTIN this morning as it was foraging on a hillside near the A Canal and not far from the Link River. It was seen from the USF&WS office parking lot in Klamath Falls. This is the first sighting of a Purple Martin in Klamath County in more than 20 years. Previously, they were known to nest in Chiloquin. None however, have been seen since the mid to early 1980's. I, unfortunately was the only person in the group to see the bird. Others were excited enought that they vowed to get home and get a martin box up ASAP. Also at that same location was a CALIFORNIA TOWHEE. They have been regular at that location for more than a year now.I'll report other sightings from a trip to Wood River Wetlands, later.Kevin Spencerrriparia@charter.net

June 1, 2008

Klamath Basin Bird News:After noting a Purple Martin observation in Klamath Co., I was correctly reminded by Mike Neuman that Purple Martin is a nesting species at the Lava Beds National Monument, not too far to the south. They have been a consitent nester there historically. And besides that location I have also seen at least one nesting location in Lassen Co. So, at least to the south of Klamath Co. it appears that Purple Martin is having some success at hanging on to its traditional nesting locations. My reference to Purple Martin not being sighted for at least the last 20 years was strictly for Klamath Co. I know political boundaries are not observed by wildlife, but as far as eastside Oregon goes, Purple Martin is an extremely rare occurance. If the bird on Saturday were of a nesting population on the eastside, and not an overshoot from a CA population, hopefully it finds this year's nesting season a success. That to me was the most exiting part of seeing that bird. It was the thought that it might be possible that they could make a comeback. Kevin Spencerrriparia@charter.net