Ash-throated flycatchers are seen during the summer months in the Upper Klamath
and Tule Lake Basins. They may also be found in fairly open upland habitats
with scattered trees and brushy areas.
Black-headed grosbeaks breed in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. They
are most commonly observed in trees and bushy areas during the spring and fall migrations.
Cassin’s finches are found primarily in locations dominated by pine or high elevation forest.
They are an uncommon year round species seen mostly in the northern portion of
the Upper Klamath Basin watershed.
Chipping sparrows may be observed during the spring and summer months
in brushy and forested habitats within the Upper Klamath Basin watershed.
Clark’s Nutcrackers may be found in conifer forests in the Upper Klamath
Basin watershed. They are found most abundantly at high elevations in pines,
Douglas fir and true fir stands.
Flammulated owls nest in mature Ponderosa pine stands in the Upper Klamath and
Tule Lake Basins. This uncommon small insect-eating owl migrates to Mexico and
Central America during the winter months.
Lewis’s woodpeckers are found year-round in scatter locations in the Upper Klamath
Basin watershed. They nest in Ponderosa pines or cottonwoods feeding mostly on
insects during the summer months. Other habitats include high elevation forests.
Mountain bluebirds may be seen at anytime of the year in the Upper Klamath Basin
watershed. They nest primarily in open pine stands where past fires have resulted
in dead trees that provide nesting cavities.
Pygmy owls are an uncommon resident the upland habitats in the Upper Klamath and
Tule Lake Basins. They are sometimes seen near bird feeders during the winter
months where they prey on small birds. Other habitats include juniper/sagebrush
and high elevation forest.
Pinyon jays are found in pine and juniper habitats in the southern portion of the
Upper Klamath Basin watershed. They are a rare to uncommon resident occasionally
observed in the Lava Beds and Clear Lake areas. Other habitats include juniper/sagebrush.
Pygmy nuthatches are an uncommon species found throughout the year within
the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. This cavity nesting species is found
in open stands of pine where suitable nesting cavities are available.
Red-breasted nuthatch are commonly found throughout the year in the Upper Klamath Basin
watershed. They are seen primarily in forested areas where conifers are the dominant
overstory species. Other habitats include high elevation forest and riparian area.
Western bluebirds are seen in the Upper Klamath Basin watershed during the
spring and fall migrations, as well as the summer. This uncommon species is
observed primarily in open areas of scattered trees and brush.
Western Tanagers are a locally common species in the Upper Klamath and
Tule Lake Basin. It is seen in forested upland habitats during the summer as well
as the spring and fall migrations. Other habitats include juniper/sagebrush
and high elevation forests.
White-breasted Nuthatches are an uncommon species that may be found
year-round in most forested habitats. It favors locations with deciduous trees whereas
the red-breasted nuthatch is more common in conifers and at higher elevations.
White-headed woodpeckers are found an uncommon resident species
in the northern portion of the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. They may be observed
in open Ponderosa pine stands during the summer months. Other habitat
includes juniper and sagebrush.
Golden-mantled ground squirrels are commonly observed in all wooded and
brushy upland habitats in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins.
Other habitats include Juniper/sagebrush and high elevation forest.
Yellow-pine chipmunks are seen primarily in the northern portion of
the Upper Klamath Basin watershed in open stands of Ponderosa pine.
Other habitats include juniper and sagebrush.
Cropland and pasture habitat are found mostly at the lower elevations (4,100-4,200) within the central and southern portions of the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. This category includes diverse areas within the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins such as towns, smaller communities, rural residential areas, farms and ranches. The wildlife associated with these habitats have adapted to living close to human development and activities.
Riparian Habitat is located along the shoreline of rivers, lakes and wetlands within the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. Vegetation found in riparian habitats includes deciduous trees such as willow, cottonwood and aspen which are found along the shore lines of these water bodies. Many bird species use riparian habitats as travel corridors during the spring and fall migrations. Other birds may use riparian locations as favored sites for nesting and breeding.
Deep water and permanent marshes are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. Habitat includes Klamath, Williamson, Wood, Sprague, and Lost Rivers; Upper Klamath , Clear and Tule Lakes, many smaller deep wetlands
and permanent marshes. Fish eating species such as grebes, pelicans, gulls, terns and diving ducks use these wetlands. The vegetation growing in these wetlands
(primarily cattail and bulrush stands which are also called “tules”) provide habitat for rails, white-faced ibis, egrets, herons, yellow-headed black birds to name only a few.
Abundant shallow wetlands are found in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins. These wetlands have historically had water during the winter and spring, but tended to dry out during the summer and fall. Today, most wildlife areas and
refuges manage seasonal wetlands using water control structures to mimic this yearly wet and dry cycle. Wading shorebirds and dabbing ducks are among the diverse wildlife species commonly seen in seasonal marshes and wetlands.
Juniper/Sagebrush habitat is found most extensively in the southern and eastern portions of the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. Both the Clear Lake area and Lava Beds National Monument have large expanse of this habitat. Plants found here include Western Juniper and several plants collectively known as sagebrush and rabbit brush.
High Elevation Habitats are forests above 5,500 feet in the Upper Klamath and Tule Lake Basins consisting primarily of Douglas fir, western red cedar and true firs. These habitats are found mostly in the Cascade and Siskiyou mountains. Popular travel destinations with these habitats include Crater Lake National Park, Medicine Lake, Lake of the Woods and the Pacific Crest Trail. Wildlife species found in mountain meadows, streams and lakes as well as those seen above timberline are included in this habitat grouping.
Presented by Dave Menke, Anders Tomlinson, Howard West and anderstomlinson.com/tule-lake/.
©2014 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.
