On April 24th, San Saba Bird and Nature Club sponsored a birding event in the LCRA San Saba River Nature Park. San Angelo’s Concho Valley Bird Banders and volunteers from SSB&NC helped more than 250 people increase their appreciation of the natural world we all share. After seeing the announcement in this month’s Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, folks from as far away as Leander, Arlington, and Belton attended. Students from San Saba Elementary, Cherokee ISD, and San Saba Christian Home Educators all participated in activities including nature journaling, bird feeder making, and an educational program provided by Master Bander Charles Floyd and his wonderful team.The group obtains data without harm to the birds banded and makes reports to the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory where it is available to all who are interested. They maintain an extensive database of their efforts for sharing with local and state researchers. Without the ability to capture birds, study their molt patterns, measure them, determine their age and sex, mark them and then release these birds back into the environment for subsequent recaptures, our knowledge of these most marvelous of creatures would be greatly reduced. The safe, efficient marking of birds rests in the hands of trained, experienced bird banders that are licensed by the state and federal government for this purpose.Bird Banding in the Park was a great event that served over 175 students from all over the county. San Saba Bird and Nature Club is a non profit group that strives to increase the understanding and appreciation of wild things and wild places and the use of state and local parks for nature activities. Donations that help fund activities like this are appreciated. If you’d like more information about SSB&NC call Jimma Byrd at 325-372-7615. For more information about bird banding visit www.conchovalleybirdbanding.com orwww.westtexasavianresearch.org