Many people have long thought of bird watching, or “birding” as something that was for our grandparents… a way for older people to spend their free time, or something for the seriously nerdy. And for many, birding is serious business, and some definitely do become experts in locating and identifying the rarest and most elusive of birds. However, birding can be good, old, plain fun too. The truth is, birding is quickly growing in popularity amongst all ages, and is becoming known as a really fun and interesting way for families to spend time together learning and exploring. Birding opportunities abound most everywhere at any time of the year, and you don’t need to know much of anything to get started. For this blog, we’re going to focus on birding in the Klamath Basin, near the Oregon/California state line. The Klamath Basin Birding Trail, or the KBBT as it’s called, includes 47 birding locations where birding enthusiasts can spot more than 350 species among the mountains and marshes of the area. The Klamath Basin was rated on Sunset Magazine’s list of “Fantastic Five Birding Destinations in the West.” According to southernoregon.org, “There are eight state and federal wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin. Winter bald eagle numbers peak in mid February with Basin populations ranking as the largest recorded in the contiguous United States. Waterfowl migration begins in early September with the arrival of northern pintails and greater white-fronted geese. Numbers peak in March with more than one million birds. In early November you can expect other species that include: 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 the American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, and various herons, gulls, terns, and grebes.” For families wanting to get their children interested in birding, there are some simple tips to help you get them going. The website, education.audubon.org offers some really great tips. They suggest that you “Pick a time of day for your walk when birds are most plentiful — usually early morning or late afternoon works best. Start nearby. Walk through your yard or neighborhood or a local park. As your kids become more invested in birding, you can explore wilder places. Take kids to a pond, lake, or wildlife refuge where they can easily see large water birds such as ducks, geese, or herons, or to a nature center with a bird feeding station where they can closely observe birds coming to a feeder. Some of the very best habitat for birding consists of open water wetlands, where you can see water birds easily and note their field marks and behaviors. There will usually be a number of small birds like marsh wrens and song sparrows at wetlands as well, which can offer a greater challenge to a slightly more advanced birder. And you may get to see an osprey or bald eagle! Be sure to dress your kids in comfortable clothes. Bring along snacks and sunscreen. Bring binoculars if you want, or pairs of empty toilet paper rolls to make pretend binoculars. They won’t make the birds look bigger, but they will help kids focus in. If you want to get binoculars for your kids to use, they should be small enough that they are easy to hold, with a wide field of view and an easy way to focus them. For older kids, consider bringing along field guides to help them identify the species they are spotting. A great guide to backyard birds with a foldout ID chart is Audubon Pocket Backyard Birdwatch, which can be ordered at us.dk.com. You might want to consider getting a spotting scope, which allows an adult to focus in on a bird and easily show it to kids. When visiting the beautiful Klamath Basin, there are some great lodging options near this area. One great place to stay for RV’ers is the Rocky Point Resort, located just a half hour from Klamath Falls. Rocky Point offers full and partial hook up RV sites, as well as other lodging options such as cabins, guest rooms, and tent sites. Are you an avid “birder” with some favorite spots or tips to share? We’d love to hear from you right here or you can comment on our Facebook page!