The Rotary Club of San Saba held its regular business meeting last Thursday, April 20th. President Beth Griess opened the business meeting.
Tom Griess and Assistant Superintendent, Keith Owen, inducted Katheryn Robertson as our newest member. Katherine is the SSISD Director of Federal Programs. She and her husband, Wesley, live in San Saba.
Speaker – Jimma Byrd – Backyard Birds of the San Saba Area; byrdjimma13@gmail. com Jimma is a member of the Texas Ornithological Society (TOS), a Texas Master Naturalist, and a Master Gardener. Jimma co-founded and is president of the San Saba Bird and Nature Club.
A college class in ornithology at University of Nevada - Reno sparked her interest in birding. She has studied birds for over 40 years.
She recommended Sibley Guide to the Birds or Merlin Free Bird ID app for iphone and android, and Audubon app, which is free, and Ebird.com, which is a citizen science reporting platform.
Birds of Permanent Residence in San Saba – White Winged Dove, Inca Dove, Morning Dove, Golden Fronted Woodpecker, Ladder Backed Woodpecker, Easter Phoebe – flycatcher, Caroline Chickadee, Black Crested Titmouse, Bewick’s Wren, Carolina Wren, European Starling (non-native bird), Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird (East of Rocky Mountains), House Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Lark Sparrow, Red winged Blackbird, Brown headed Cowbird (native), Crested Caracara, Killdeer, Painted Bunting, and Turkey Vulture, as well as various hummingbirds.
The Rufous hummingbird has lost 2/3rds of its population since 1970. There has been a 25% decline in all birds in recent years. Jimma advised that we can help by keeping our cats indoors, keeping not only feed but moving shallow water available.
She further explained that turning off outside lights is important. Each year during fall and spring migrations, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas. Texas is a major migration thoroughfare with one-third of the bird population passing through our state.
Excessive lighting causes birds to become disoriented causing them to collide with buildings or windows, as well as to wander off course.
Jimma and her husband, John, make their home in a pecan orchard on the river, 14 miles southwest of San Saba. When she isn’t chasing birds, you can find her gardening or enjoying her grandchildren.
Upcoming Events:
● April 27 – Pepperbelly's Speaker: Ralph Cox ● May 4th - Tour of the San Saba Museum by Jerry Blankenship