Wake Audubon Society

Wake Audubon Society Wake Audubon is a non-profit dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of wildlife.

Last month, Wake Audubon and NAMI Wake County brought Birding for Wellbeing to Schenck Forest, and a break in the spring...
06/13/2026

Last month, Wake Audubon and NAMI Wake County brought Birding for Wellbeing to Schenck Forest, and a break in the spring rain delivered cooler temps and clean air for the walk.

The group found 27 species among the loblolly and longleaf pine, including Hairy Woodpeckers feeding their young, Eastern Bluebirds on their second clutch of the breeding season, and Cedar Waxwings lighting briefly in the treetops before disappearing across the sky.

Thank you to Wake Audubon board director and NC environmental educator Matt Florez for guiding the outing, and to licensed mental health therapist Alexis Schulman for the mindful moments. Hosted by Rick LaRose and Mark Simon.

Photo Credit: Alexis Schulman

Learn more about Birding for Wellbeing: https://nami-wake.org/support-and-education/birding-for-wellbeing/
nami-wake.org/sup...beinf/

The last day of May brought a big morning at Bass Lake and Sugg Farm. The Wake Audubon group led by Jessica Williams fou...
06/12/2026

The last day of May brought a big morning at Bass Lake and Sugg Farm. The Wake Audubon group led by Jessica Williams found 49 species, including Blue Grosbeak on the Sugg Farm lawn, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks perched atop a pine, and Purple Martins and Tree Swallows sweeping overhead.

Along the shaded Bass Lake trail, Prothonotary Warblers worked the water's edge and the understory just above the path. Lake, woodland, and farmland habitat all in one loop, right here in Holly Springs.

You can join the next outing tomorrow, June 14th!

Photo Credits Rick LaRose & Evan Weiss

See the full checklist from the outing: https://ebird.org/checklist/S350204281

This week's Bird of the Week: the Great Blue Heron. Standing nearly four feet tall, the Great Blue Heron is one of the m...
06/10/2026

This week's Bird of the Week: the Great Blue Heron.

Standing nearly four feet tall, the Great Blue Heron is one of the most recognizable birds in Wake County. Right now, in June, they're at peak nesting season. Local rookeries are active, and if you know where to look, you can watch pairs working together at the nest. The courtship behavior in this week's photo is something you can see right now at local sites.

Great Blue Herons nest colonially, often in tall trees over or near water. They're year-round residents here, but summer is when their breeding plumage and courtship behavior are most visible. Watch for them at Jordan Lake, Falls Lake, and any slow-moving waterway across the region.

Want more birds in your inbox? Sign up for the Wake Audubon newsletter for local sightings, upcoming events, and conservation news from right here in Wake County: https://u6cl8.share.hsforms.com/2p6PqXP7hRymyQA_ay59CsQ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=newsletter_signup

Photo: Dennis Goodman / Audubon Photography Awards

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GoodmanPhotography

In April, Wake Audubon joined NAMI Wake County and Alexis Schulman for a Birding for Wellbeing outing at Lake Lynn Park ...
06/09/2026

In April, Wake Audubon joined NAMI Wake County and Alexis Schulman for a Birding for Wellbeing outing at Lake Lynn Park in support of Stress Awareness Month.

The group found 36 species along the boardwalk trail and lake, including Blue-winged Teal, Solitary Sandpiper, and Killdeer. Northern Rough-winged, Tree, and Barn Swallows rounded out the list, with some collecting mud to build nests right under the boardwalk.

Thank you to Wake Audubon volunteer guide Bob Winstead for joining hosts Rick LaRose, Mark Simon, and Alexis Schulman.

Photo Credit: Rick LaRose

Watch the ABC11 coverage of Birding for Wellbeing: https://canva.link/abc11birding

Wake Audubon volunteers Cathy Sprangle and Rick LaRose visited the NC legislature last week alongside the Audubon North ...
06/08/2026

Wake Audubon volunteers Cathy Sprangle and Rick LaRose visited the NC legislature last week alongside the Audubon North Carolina team to advocate for birds and the habitat we all depend on.

They met with Bella Allen, Legislative Assistant to Senator Gale Adcock, to discuss funding for conservation trust funds and the tax credit program that protects North Carolina's natural resources. Senator Adcock and her office have been supportive of both programs.

Also visiting that day: Ebony Bowing and Vanessa Akosah, UNC Adams School of Dentistry students learning the legislative process. It was a good reminder that advocacy for birds and clean air connects communities across different fields and perspectives.

Protecting habitat and clean water in North Carolina is good for birds. It's good for people to
Photo: Rick LaRose

Wake Audubon volunteers Cathy Sprangle and Rick LaRose visited the NC legislature last week alongside the Audubon North ...
06/08/2026

Wake Audubon volunteers Cathy Sprangle and Rick LaRose visited the NC legislature last week alongside the Audubon North Carolina team to advocate for birds and the habitat we all depend on.

They met with Bella Allen, Legislative Assistant to Senator Gale Adcock, to discuss funding for conservation trust funds and the tax credit program that protects North Carolina's natural resources. Senator Adcock and her office have been supportive of both programs.

Also visiting that day: Ebony Bowing and Vanessa Akosah, UNC Adams School of Dentistry students learning the legislative process. It was a good reminder that advocacy for birds and clean air connects communities across different fields and perspectives.

Protecting habitat and clean water in North Carolina is good for birds. It's good for people too.

Photo: Rick LaRose

Five events this week from Wake Audubon. Something for every schedule and skill level!Wake Audubon Monthly Meeting: Uwha...
06/07/2026

Five events this week from Wake Audubon. Something for every schedule and skill level!

Wake Audubon Monthly Meeting: Uwharries Pollinators and Other Arthropods
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7:30 PM
Nature Research Center (NC Museum of Natural Sciences), 121 W. Jones St., Raleigh, 4th floor conference room
In person and Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314882736/

Birding at Williamson Preserve 2026-0612 (Register Off Meetup)
Friday, June 12, 2026, 8:00 AM
Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, 4429 Old Country Mial Rd, Raleigh
Registration required through Triangle Land Conservancy: https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925265/

Birding NC Museum of Art, Goodnight Park 2026-0613
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:00 AM
NC Museum of Art, Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925377/

Birding with Frank at TURNIPSEED! - 2026-0613
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:30 AM
Turnipseed Nature Preserve, 1525 Pleasants Road, Wendell
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925397/

Birding at Bass Lake - 0614
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 8:15 AM
Bass Lake and Sugg Farm, 900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925190/

Five events this week from Wake Audubon. Something for every schedule and skill level.Wake Audubon Monthly Meeting: Uwha...
06/07/2026

Five events this week from Wake Audubon. Something for every schedule and skill level.

Wake Audubon Monthly Meeting: Uwharries Pollinators and Other Arthropods
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7:30 PM
Nature Research Center (NC Museum of Natural Sciences), 121 W. Jones St., Raleigh, 4th floor conference room
In person and Zoom: https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314882736/

Birding at Williamson Preserve 2026-0612 (Register Off Meetup)
Friday, June 12, 2026, 8:00 AM
Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, 4429 Old Country Mial Rd, Raleigh
Registration required through Triangle Land Conservancy: https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925265/

Birding NC Museum of Art, Goodnight Park 2026-0613
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:00 AM
NC Museum of Art, Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925377/

Birding with Frank at TURNIPSEED! - 2026-0613
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:30 AM
Turnipseed Nature Preserve, 1525 Pleasants Road, Wendell
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925397/

Birding at Bass Lake - 0614
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 8:15 AM
Bass Lake and Sugg Farm, 900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs
https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/events/314925190/

Purple Martin banding is happening this week, and Wake Audubon wants you there.Join bird biologist John Gerwin for two b...
06/06/2026

Purple Martin banding is happening this week, and Wake Audubon wants you there.
Join bird biologist John Gerwin for two banding sessions at active martin colony sites:

Wednesday, June 10, 9:30 AM
University Club

Thursday, June 11, 9:00 AM
Yates Mill County Park

Banding gives us critical data on Purple Martin survival, migration routes, and site fidelity. These birds return to the same colonies year after year. Banding helps us understand how and why. Come see the process up close and learn what it takes to study one of North Carolina's most beloved colonial nesters.

Photo: Karen Wiles / Audubon Photography Awards

Twelve volunteers. One big trailer load of Chinese Privet and English Ivy. One cleaner 28-acre park. On May 14, Wake Aud...
06/05/2026

Twelve volunteers. One big trailer load of Chinese Privet and English Ivy. One cleaner 28-acre park. On May 14, Wake Audubon joined South Wake Conservationists, local volunteers, and staff from the Town of Fuquay-Varina Parks to tackle invasive plants at Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park. This was the third removal event at this location in 2026, with three more planned for September, October, and November. Watch the Wake Audubon calendar and Meetup for fall dates. Photo: Jim Hunsberger volunteers. One big trailer load of Chinese Privet and English Ivy. One cleaner 28-acre park.

On May 14, Wake Audubon joined South Wake Conservationists, local volunteers, and staff from the Town of Fuquay-Varina Parks to tackle invasive plants at Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park. This was the third removal event at this location in 2026, with three more planned for September, October, and November.

Watch the Wake Audubon calendar and Meetup for fall dates.

Photo: Jim Hunsberger


South Wake Conservationists

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2615 Fitzgerald Drive
Raleigh, NC
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