Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge celebrates centennial
Year-long celebration begins with winter ‘Raptor Rally’ this weekend in Tulelake
TULELAKE – The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, the nation’s first refuge dedicated specifically for waterfowl conservation, turns 100 years old this year.
This weekend, the refuge opens a ‘year of celebration month’ with the Winter Refuge Raptor Rally on Saturday, Jan. 26.
Families and novice birdwatchers in particular are expected to enjoy this introduction to the raptors in the Klamath refuge, according to a recent press release.
Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch, drinks, warm clothing and binoculars when they meet at the Lower Klamath Refuge entrance parking area at 8:15 a.m., for a promp 8:30 a.m. departure.
Winter is the time when the highest number and greatest variety of birds of prey are seen in the Klamath Basin, and participants may see up to 11 raptor species on the all day trip.
According to the release, the Klamath Basin is also home to the largest gathering of wintering bald eagles in the continental United States.
At 3:30 observers will have the opportunity to go to Laird’s Landing until dusk with an experienced guide to observe bald eagles coming into a night roost.
The parking area is located at 4009 Hill Road, in Tulelake, and may be reached from U.S. 97 by going east on California Route 161, and then south on Hill Road.
The refuge has posted its schedule of events on the Internet at the Web site www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges.
Questions about the events planned throughout the year may be directed to Dave Menke at (530) 667-2231 or emailed to him at dave_menke@fws.gov.
Future updates to the monthly schedule of events will also be posted on the website.
History
The Lower Klamath refuge was established on August 8, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the nation’s first wildlife refuge set aside specifically for migratory waterfowl and other marsh birds.
The refuge encompasses nearly 51,000 acres and is a varied mix of shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that are intensively managed to provide feeding, resting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl and other water birds.
In all, three refuges in southern Oregon and three in northern California are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the 190,000-acre Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
More information about refuges in California is available at the Web site www.fws.gov/cno.
Centennial Events Celebrating the Centennial of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
January 26, 2008
Winter Refuge Raptor Rally
The public is invited to participate on ‘teams’ of observers scouring Lower Klamath and Tule Lake areas to view raptors on each Refuge. After a noon break and a sharing of sightings, teams will switch refuge locations to complete the counts. At 3:30 observers may elect to go to Laird’s Landing with an experienced guide to observe Bald Eagles coming into a night roost.
February 17-19, 2008
Winter Wings Festival – This winter celebration of the wildlife in the Klamath Basin is held each President’s Day weekend in Klamath Falls. The Festival features many field trips for wildlife observation and photography to Lower Klamath, Tule Lake and Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuges. Contact the web site http://www.winterwingsfest.org/ for a complete description of events and registration information.
March 15, 2008
Tour of Lower Klamath Refuge (Eagles and Spring Migration) – Join members of the Refuge staff to view the spring migration in progress and learn how wildlife habitats and water are managed on Lower Klamath Refuge to maximize benefits for wildlife. Two tours will be hosted starting at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Call the Refuge for reservation as space is limited.
April 19, 2008
History tour – Participants will meet at the refuge visitor center to learn about some of the historic milestones which led to the establishment of Lower Klamath Refuge and many other parks and refuges established during The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Following this talk, the group will tour the CCC Camp, the Tulelake museum, the Japanese American Internment Camp, Petroglyph Point and Captain Jack’s Stronghold on Lava Beds National Monument. Participants should bring a sack lunch.
May 17, 2008
Tule Lake Migratory Bird Festival – Airboat rides to Tule Lake Marsh, Refuge habitat tours, bird banding, and live bird demonstrations are just a few of the events that the public may take advantage of at the Festival which will be held at the Tule Lake Refuge visitor center. This year’s event will include a tour of the newly stabilized Mess Hall at the historic Tule Lake CCC Camp.
May 30 to June 1, 2008
Weekend Tour to Malheur Refuge – Visit our sister Refuge which also celebrates its Centennial in 2008. Stops along the way will include Fort Rock, Christmas Valley and late afternoon birding at Malheur Refuge. Meet at refuge headquarters at 8:00 am for a full day tour of the Refuge led by expert birders. Call at least two weeks in advance for reservations and lodging information.
July (Date TBD)
Clear Lake NWR – Refuge employees will lead a tour which includes views of Clear Lake Refuge, wildlife viewing opportunities in this remote juniper/sagebrush habitat and lunch an exploration of nearby Boles Creek. Historic connection of this area to the Applegate Trail, the surrender of Captain Jack in 1872, and ranching history in the area will be discussed during the field trip.
August 8, 2008
Employee and Friends Centennial Celebration (August 8) — Past employees, friends and supporters of the Klamath Basin Refuges will be invited to a celebration of the Refuge Centennial Day. Events will include an Old fashioned picnic and ice cream social with a chance for all invitees to obtain a stamped envelope with a special cancellation and cache highlighting the Refuge Centennial.
September 2008 (Date TBD)
Shaw Library – Refuge Book (Subject to final Arrangements) — The Shaw Library is writing an historic publication with photos on Lower Klamath Refuge and other refuges in the Klamath Basin. An event is planned to highlight the release of this important work.
October 4, 2008
Lower Klamath Habitat Tour — This tour will focus on the management of habitats and importance of water to Lower Klamath Refuge as options such as walking wetlands and rotational management continue into the Refuge’s next 100 years. The date may vary as hunting seasons are finalized.
November 2008 (Date TBD)
Migration peak field trip — Mid November – For the novice to moderately experienced birdwatcher, this field trip will focus on both waterfowl and raptor identification. Mid-November normally coincides with the peak of the fall goose migration with the possibility of observing 18 to 20 species of ducks, geese and swans. It is also a good time to view raptors with the possibility of observing eight to 10 species in a single day.
December 2008 (Date TBD)
Mid-winter wildlife on Lower Klamath Refuge – Date TBD – The week prior to the annual Christmas Bird Count. Observers with an experienced guide will document as many species as they can in a single day of bird watching on Lower Klamath Refuge and nearby. The numbers of each bird species will also be estimated. This will be an opportunity for people to see how mid-winter bird counts are done on refuges and in other locations throughout the country.
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