Anderson Point Park is one of the City of Raleigh parks that Wake Audubon has adopted. This park sits at the confluence of Crabtree Creek and the Neuse River. As part of our commitment to this park, we coordinate a workday every spring. It was cold, breezy, and clear Saturday morning, March 28th, when we met at the park. Industrial Engineering students from NC State University were participating in Service Raleigh, teaming up with Wake Audubon volunteers doing our usual spring work at the park.
With 14 hard-working students, 7 Wake Audubon folks, and 3 helpful park staff personnel, we were able to make a big dent in the Elaeagnus (aka Autumn Olive) and Chinese Privet in the area between the greenway trail and Crabtree Creek. The park is being managed for wildlife and as a showcase for native habitat, so it is especially important to keep working on elimination of these highly invasive non-native plant species. These plants are not eaten by our native wildlife, including dear, which initially made them very attractive to gardeners. Unfortunately, they spread quickly and crowd out native plants. And, since they are not host plants for native butterflies and moths, they do not provide food for growing baby birds.
Brush pile at Anderson Point
We created brush piles from the invasive plant material. This means more habitat for small mammals.
Dan and Sue Harvey spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk nest in the area. They photographed one of the hawks on the nest. They also spotted native wildflowers growing where we had cleared away invasive plants last year.
Spring Beauty at Anderson Point
Red-shouldered Hawk on nest at Anderson Point
Click here to learn more about Anderson Point Park
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