1190 S. Thomas Stewart Drive
The public is invited to attend the Feb. 19 meeting of the San Saba Bird and Nature Club. This month’s presenter is Mark Mitchell, a Natural Resource Specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at Mason Mountain WMA in Mason County Texas. The title of his talk is “Management Techniques for Smaller Properties to Benefit Birds and Other Non-Game Wildlife”.
Jeff Forman will assist and bring some bluebird boxes. Forman is a TPWD wildlife technician who lives and works on the 5,300-acre Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Jeff is an expert on birds and will be available to help answer questions regarding bluebird boxes, their use and maintenance.
Mark Mitchell went to work for the TPWD in 1986 after graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 1986. His first location with TPWD was as a Regulatory Biologist in Gonzales and then Edna Texas with extra duties as a Non-game specialist working with Bald Eagles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, colonial water birds, and whooping cranes. He transferred to Mason Mountain WMA in 1999 assuming the title of Site Manager in 2001. At Mason Mt WMA he has been involved with research concerning exotic ungulates, white tailed deer, Texas Horned Lizard, Texas spiny crevice lizards, collard peccary (javelina), and black tailed prairie dogs. He has also worked extensively with prescribed fire and other tools associated with habitat development and management.
Jeff Forman has worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife since 2005 with his only assignment on Mason Mountain WMA. His interest is anything with birds and plant identification and is responsible for bird banding activities (dove and Rio Grande turkey) and surveys on the WMA to include Black-capped Vireo, Northern Bobwhite Quail, and Eastern Bluebird.
San Saba Bird and Nature Club welcomes both biologists on Feb. 19, at 2pm to the San Saba Civic Center, 1190 S. Thomas Stewart Drive.
You are invited to join but need not be a member to attend SSBNC programs. All with an interest are welcome. For more information about San Saba Bird and Nature Club visit the website, www.sansababirdandnatureclub.org or call 325-372-7615.