Birding topic at Kiwanis meeting

Bob Welsh introduced Dan Buchanan, who spoke on birding at Kiwanis. Buchanan is an attorney who was recently elected to the Jamestown City Council. He spoke of the trees in the Jamestown area, saying Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer take away a lot of good trees for the birds. He said leaving some of the dead trees for the birds is good as Yellow Bellied Sap Suckers and certain woodpeckers have been seen in some of the dead trees. He said people have a habit of cleaning things up right away but the dead trees and stumps are good for the birds.

Bird watching is a hobby for all ages and all skills levels, Buchanan said. All people really need are binoculars and a field guide. It’s not an expensive hobby. Backyard birding is enhanced if people have the three basic things required for birds: food, water and shelter. The morning is the best time to see many of the birds and then around 4 p.m. when they come out before they settle in for the evening. Birding by ear is when you can hear a bird and tell what kind it is. There are more than 325 bird species in the state of North Dakota, Buchanan said.

Sandy Franke led the meeting with 21 members attending. Don and Sharon Caine led the group singing and Jeff Wiedemeyer collected “Happy Dollars” for Stuff the Bus. Members were reminded that on Sept. 17th at 5:30 p.m. they will be meeting at Camp Rokiwan for the Eliminate Project auction. Members were asked to bring family members and friends.

Jan Barnes will introduce Cody Champagne, from the Jamestown Regional Medical Center Rehab Department, at the noon Aug. 27 luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room. He will speak about the new AlterG treadmill that the hospital recently obtained.

Tags: community, clubs