Dancing Grebes and Klamath Basin

This outing highlights two great activities: Dancing Grebes in Klamath Falls and the Spring migration at the two primary Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. The featured attraction of this outing will be to watch the grebes at Putnam Point in Klamath Falls.

Since best viewing is in the morning or late evening, we'll get a fairly early start with a return to Bend for a late dinner. Plan on bringing a picnic lunch, water, and snacks for this no fee outing.

First, we'll stop in Klamath Falls to witness "the chase", "the dance", "rushing", "bobbing", "preening": names for the fascinating mating behaviors of the Western and Clark's Grebes. They're the largest vertebrates with the ability to walk on water. We're fortunate to be so close to such an amazing sight at Klamath Falls.

FYI, all of the photos in the photo album and the announcement for this outing were taken at Putnam Point last week.

ABOUT THE GREBES

Western and Clark’s Grebe are seen around lakes and freshwater marshes in Oregon. These two species look and behave similarly. In fact, up until 1985, scientists considered them to be different color phases of the same species. The Western Grebe is larger than the Clark’s and the black cap on the head usually extends below the eye, whereas, on the Clark’s Grebe the black cap extends to just above the eye.

The Western and Clark’s Grebe also have similar courtship ceremonies. Two of the most famous are the “Rushing Ceremony” and the “Weed Ceremony.”

The “Rushing Ceremony” consists of advertising calls made to a potential mate followed by dip-shaking: dipping their heads near or in the water and shaking them on the way out. Rushing/dancing occurs when pairs run on the surface of the water side by side before finally diving head first into the water. Each grebe's dance step starts with a splayed foot slapping the water, generating between 30 to 55 percent of the vertical force needed to keep the animals from sinking. They sprint around 66 feet (20 meters) across the water in about seven seconds. Grebes take between 14 and 20 steps per second so they can run across the surface of the water. In comparison, the fastest humans can make perhaps five or six steps per second.

In the “Weed Ceremony,” pairs have already been formed. This ceremony consists of neck-stretching, bob-shaking/dip shaking, weed diving, and bob-preening. During the weed diving, they will gather vegetation from below the water bringing it back up to the surface to display to their mate. They will then shake their heads side to side until all the weeds fall back into the water.

ABOUT THE REFUGES

After watching the grebes and other waterfowl in Klamath Falls, we'll head down to the Lower Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge and Tule Lake NWR to observe the Spring migrators. Lower Klamath Basin NWR was established in 1908 as the first waterfowl refuge in the country.

While many of the snow geese and bald eagles of early Spring have migrated north, waders, shorebirds, and waterfowl increase in number as they travel along this this popular section along the Pacific Flyway.

After exploring the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake Refuges, we may choose to stop in Klamath Falls for an encore performance of the dancing grebes when good lighting conditions should continue.

Another bonus option when returning to Bend would be a quick detour from Highway 97 to drive along the section of Klamath Marsh NWR that borders Silver Lake Road. Although sightings here can be variable, I also had my best day ever photographing birds at this location.

BACKSTORY ON THIS OUTING

The group has been making Spring outings to the Klamath Basin for many years. In the past, large numbers of active cormorant, egret, and black crowned night heron nests could be seen and photographed. However, for some reason, even though there is ample water on the refuges again, the nesters have not returned.

Fortunately, there were a lot of birds on the refuges. Tim L. saw many species last week (4/17/2026) when he went to scout the locations for this outing.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSIDERATIONS

A telephoto lens of at least 200mm would help with getting photos that you can somewhat crop. If you have a longer lens, be sure to bring it. A tripod will be very advantageous to be ready faster when the grebes decide to dance/rush. A pair of binoculars would be helpful at watching the behaviors in detail. You also might want to try to take a video.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

07:15am Meet at Fred Meyer's Bend to arrange ride-sharing.

07:30am Leave Bend Fred Meyer's

08:00am Pick up South County members in South LaPine.

09:45am Pit Stop at Pilot Travel Center, Klamath Falls.

10:00am Arrive at Putnam Point, Klamath Falls.

12:00am Leave for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

12:15pm Arrive at Lower Klamath NWR.

4:15pm Leave Lower Klamath and Tule Lake NWRs

4:30pm Return at Putnam Point (Optional)

5:30pm Leave for Bend

8:00pm Arrive in Bend