Sunshine Country Club Estates

Sent 2026-01-29: Birding & Nature Club - Info & Interest Survey -  

Birding & Nature Club – A legacy of positive impact for SEPO residents

Early members played a significant role in making Texas Avenue what you see today. Previously, the swamp covered most of the current grassy areas where the dogs now walk. The club removed trees and other types of vegetation, brought in fill and worked to level the ground. Periodically, new trees and shrubs were planted, and identification plaques were installed.

The original butterfly garden and fountain were installed. Berms and plantings were made behind the gazebo. Bird feeders were added and maintained. Last summer the metal mesh fence was installed to support vines. The goal of that area is to have native plants that continue to attract birds and butterflies.

The club has held beginning birding classes, led bird walks in the community and around the RV “lakeside”. Field trips have gone to local birding hotspots. Bird books were donated to the library, and a community bird sighting list is maintained there. The club continues to host outside speakers.

Some members have even participated in the annual Audubon Bird Count.

To help keep the Birding & Nature club relevant to current SEPO residents, we would greatly appreciate it if you would take a couple of minutes to at least review the survey. Just click on the following link. You DO NOT have to sign-in to take the survey. Please click SUBMIT to send us your responses.

https://forms.gle/jHRsLsir7nNjzcb29

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Thank you!!

Reminder: Our next meeting is Monday, February 2nd, 7:00 PM

- David L'Heureux

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Sent 2026-01-17: Birding and Nature Club meeting minutes -  

Birding and Nature Club Minutes

January 5, 2026

Meeting was called to order by President Tom Stone

There were 28 people present

Unfortunately our speaker John Yochum who was going to speak about the lower RGV Magic did not make the meeting.

Last month’s minutes were not available.

Financials: the balance of the checkbook is $2990.74 with no activity since last month.

Brenda made a motion, 2nd by Ralph to accept the report, motion passed.

Old Business: Judy Stone reported on the bird feeding project. Mary will check into different types of signs for the trees and also the cost of signs.

New Business: Tom asked for volunteers to head up the nominating committee for 2026-2027. Dave volunteered to head this committee.

There is a field trip being planned to go to Resaca De La Palma state park in March of 2026. Tom will set it up with the park so we have a tram.

Ralph gave a report on the end of the year bird count, the total species seen was 71.

The most numerous bird was the Grackle, 2nd was Black Bellied Whistlers and 3rd was pigeons. They did see 27 green parakeets.

Deb Gossman gave a presentation about the new garden that is by the bird feeder. She had a power point showing the whole process

The next meeting will be February 2. 2026 in Retzlaff hall. Our speaker will be Keith Hackland from the Alamo Inn.

Motion by Miles, 2nd by Ralph to adjourn

- Tom Stone

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Sent 2026-01-17: Birding & Nature Club Speaker - 

Reminder: Birding and Nature Club Speaker, Monday, February 2nd will be Keith Hackland, proprietor of Alamo Inn, Alamo, TX, who will be speaking to us on the RGV bird migratory patterns. The meeting will be at 7PM in Retzlaff Hall, Monday, February 2nd. All are welcome. See you soon.

- Tom Stone, President,   Birding and Nature Club

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Sent 2026-01-12: Birding & Nature - ​

Birding and Nature Club with the help of the Garden Club are asking for community volunteers to help spruce up the Texas Avenue B+N Garden.

If you can help, let's meet Thursday, January 15th on Texas Avenue from 12:30 to 1:30.

We have some grasses that have embedded themselves into the landscape fabric. The goal is to remove the fabric and expose the nice soil underneath.

The sawdust from the woodworkers will be used in this area as it becomes available. Thank you in advance volunteers and woodworkers.

Needed: utility knives, garden hoes and rakes.

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Tom Stone, President of Birding and Nature

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& See the community hard at work below when they were asked to help.