T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society

06/17/2026

We were saddened to see that City of Greensboro and Greensboro Parks and Recreation GSO Goes Green completely tore out their native pollinator garden at Keeley Park. It completely goes against the native plant policy they passed on March 5, 2024. Our native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators need our help now more than ever and ripping out native gardens is very irresponsible and destroys biodiversity!

Did you know every native plant garden, whether it is a small container garden on your balcony, a large bed in your yard, or your entire yard, makes a difference. Urban development continues to break our natural landscapes into small, isolated patches, making it increasingly difficult for wildlife to travel and survive. Pocket gardens combat this habitat fragmentation by acting as vital stepping-stone corridors. They provide sanctuary, nesting resources, and safe passage for wildlife including small pollinators in an increasingly urbanized landscape.

Pictures from the native pollinator garden at Keeley Park from 2025, before the destruction.

06/14/2026

Coming June 27th! We hope you will join us!

06/10/2026

We hope you will join us! The hike is free and open to all. See our website for all the details...
https://www.tgpearsonaudubon.org/events/2026/6/27/gibson-park-hike

or scan the QR code.

06/06/2026

Native Plant of the Month: American Elderberry
by Sharon Daugherty

American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis ) is a medium sized shrub or small tree native to a large portion of eastern and central U.S. and is a keystone plant for wildlife. It is blooming now and can be found throughout North Carolina, including in meadows, forested areas, and along streams and wetland margins. (There were several blooming in my neighborhood along the creek until the City of GSO mowed the entirety of all plant life next to the water’s edge recently.) While it tolerates a wide range of soils and conditions Elderberry prefers rich, moist soil that is slightly acidic in sun to partial shade.

Well known for its fruit which is used to make syrup, wine, baked goods, and more, Elderberry serves as an important keystone and host plant to several moth species, including the Cecropia moth—the largest moth in North America—and provides nectar and pollen to numerous pollinators, including flies, moths, bees, beetles, and butterflies like the Red-spotted Purple. The fruit feeds well over 40 species of birds, including Gray Catbirds, Robins, and Cedar Waxwings, while also nourishing small mammals and other wildlife species. The large arching branches and thick foliage also provide important habitat for wildlife and the stems serve as nesting areas for many native bees—truly a cornerstone plant to have in your garden!

Sources: Sambucus canadensis (American Elder, American Elderberry, Common Elderberry, Elderberry) | https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-canadensis/

American Elderberry ( Sambucus canadensis ) - Sag Moraine Native Plant Community. https://sagmoraine.org/native-plant/american-elderberry/
Photo by Sharon Daugherty.

06/05/2026

Native Pollinator of the Month: Delta Flower Scarab Beetle
by Sharon Daugherty

I became fascinated with the Delta Flower Scarab beetle (Trigonopeltastes delta) last summer when I spotted it on Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) in my pollinator garden. Such a distinctive looking insect, with its namesake yellow or white triangular mark on its pronotum (or “collar”), named after the Greek letter for delta. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae, in the subfamily Cetoniinae.

They are native to the southeast but range as far north as New Jersey. Scarab beetles are active from May through August; they visit many different flower species, including New Jersey tea, Goldenrods, Magnolia, and the previously mentioned Rattlesnake Master. They are diurnal and live their entire adult lives on and around flowers, including while mating. They lay eggs in the soil near flowering plants in mid-summer; larvae emerge about ten days later. While adults mainly collect and eat pollen, the larvae feed on decaying wood and other organic matter. There is a unique species known as Trigonopeltastes floridana native only to Florida and considered rare.

Though these insects have not been studied extensively, it is thought they serve an important role in pollination by moving pollen grains that stick to their hairy legs, transferring them to the next plant they visit!

Sources: Delta Flower Beetle, Bugs With Mike

Photo by Bradley Saul, iNaturalist

06/05/2026

We want to share a huge thank you to Jim Eldrett as he wraps up his time as the steward of our Audubon Natural Area on Tankersley Drive across from Cone Hospital. Jim has been the driving force behind countless creek cleanups, property workdays, and invasive plant removals. From mowing the grounds to tackling endless odd jobs, Jim did it all. Thank you for your incredible dedication and hard work, Jim!

We are looking for folks who would be willing to take on the following tasks:

Regular mowing of the entrance area, Hillmer trail, Creek trail. This needs to be done every two weeks depending on precipitation.
Walk the trails every week or two to assess trail maintenance needs, vandalism, inappropriate use, e.g., bikes on trails, dogs off leash.
Liaise with city agencies, e.g., Storm Water, Parks and Recreation. Also, Cone Health.
Maintain and develop signs, including those identifying plants and trees.
Maintain and water the native plant garden by the entrance/sign.
Check journal box for tick repellent, check journal and photograph new entries (it has been stolen a few times).
Monitor nest boxes for activity and any damage.

If interested, please contact us at [email protected]

06/04/2026

House Finches need little introduction—they are a familiar sight in our area. This season, I’ve especially enjoyed watching a female tend her second nest on my front porch while her mate sings nearby, letting her know he is close at hand.

House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) are small, vibrant songbirds native to western North America that have successfully adapted to human-dominated landscapes. They were originally found in arid deserts and open woodlands; however, the species experienced a massive expansion after individuals were illegally released on Long Island, NY, in 1940 after they were unable to be sold as cage birds. Today, these resilient birds occupy urban, suburban, and agricultural areas across the entire United States and southern Canada. Their ability to nest in hanging planters, building ledges, and backyard trees highlights their incredible ecological flexibility.

Adult House Finches are easily recognized by their distinct physical traits and cheerful twittering vocalizations. Males feature a bright, rosy-red plumage around their face and breast, which is derived from carotenoid pigments found in the seeds they eat during molt. Females lack these bright colors, sporting a more subdued grayish brown, heavily streaked body that provides excellent camouflage while nesting. Their lively, warbling songs are a common soundtrack in suburban neighborhoods, often delivered from high, visible perches like telephone wires or treetops.

Their short, thick, conical bills are perfectly adapted for crushing seeds which suits their almost exclusively vegetarian diet. They feed on a variety of seeds, making them frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders containing sunflower or thistle seeds. Wild foods include mustard seeds, thistle, mulberry, poison oak, and knotweed. House Finches also enjoy cherries, apricots, pears, plums, and berries.

House Finches are highly social birds outside of the breeding season, often forming large foraging flocks that move together in search of food. By acting as prolific seed consumers and occasionally assisting in accidental pollination, these charming birds play a vital and highly visible role in local backyard ecosystems.

They nest in a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees as well as on cactus and rock ledges. Finches also nest in or on buildings, using vents and ledges, streetlamps, and hanging planters. Their nest is cup-shaped and made of fine stems, leaves, rootlets, thin twigs, and feathers, with similar softer materials for the lining. They lay 2-6 eggs per clutch and raise anywhere from 1-6 broods per nesting season. House Finches feed their nestlings a diet that consists only of plant foods, which is very unusual in the bird world since most songbirds feed their nestlings and young a diet of insects and caterpillars.

Photo caption: Male House Finch on Cercis Canadensis (Eastern Redbud), Suffolk county, NY
Photo credit: Jane Fenton/Audubon Photography Awards

06/04/2026

The most important thing is to never ever feed or give water to birds! Improper feeding and water can aspirate baby birds, causing death. It can also cause fatal digestive issues, respiratory distress, and crop impaction. If you find a bird or other wildlife that is injured, orphaned, or needing care, search for a local wildlife rehabilitator in your area by going to Animal Help Now.

06/04/2026

05/18/2026

Happening tonight! An evening you don't want to miss!

Night Magic is a terrific read and Leigh Ann is a wonderful speaker and storyteller.