Calendar

May 17, 2024

|By Chris Robinson

	March 2026
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7 Durant birding - Registration required Durant birding - Registration required March 7, 2026 8:00 am - 9:30 am Durant Nature Preserve, 8305 Camp Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614, USA Early Bird at Durant Nature Preserve (registration required off Meetup) Saturday, MARCH 7, 2026, 8 am - 9:30 am Register Off-site only: Requires a login and password: Login FIRST at https://ncraleighweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/splash.html THEN register for this free event at: https://ncraleighweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=441383870 Or click on Search - Keyword Search and type in "EARLY BIRD" Grab your binoculars and meet us at beautiful Durant Nature Preserve’s SOUTH entrance for a bird-watching hike led by Wake Audubon naturalist, Lynn Erla Beegle. Spend your morning watching and learning about birds that prefer forests and thickets edges on this approximately 1.5 mile hike. For beginning and advanced birders. Bring your binoculars, or borrow a pair of ours. Pre-registration is required. Limited to City of Raleigh residents. Meet in the SOUTH parking lot at Durant Nature Preserve at 3237 Spottswood Street near Campbell Lodge. Note there is also a north parking lot on Camp Durant Road, but, you cannot drive from one lot to the other through the park . See more details LGBTQ+ Beginner Bird LGBTQ+ Beginner Bird March 7, 2026 9:00 am - 12:15 pm Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park, 5229 Awls Haven Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614, USA Complete this form to register. This free workshop requires registration OFF Meetup. LGBTQ+ Beginner Birders Program with Wake Audubon, Field Inclusive, Inc. and Raleigh Parks. Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026 Time: 9:00* a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (*Please arrive 15 minutes early to reach the Education Center from parking and check-in; arrive 8:40 a.m. if also borrowing binoculars), Location: Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614 Hosting this event expressly for the LGBTQ+ community are workshop sponsors Wake Audubon and Field Inclusive, Inc. in partnership with City of Raleigh Parks and the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Collectively we’re striving for everyone to feel welcome, safe and included in the natural sciences and outdoors. ‘Birding’ – or the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby – has become one of the most popular outdoor activities. If you are taking a new interest in birds and looking for help getting started, come develop your skills together with others at our Beginning Birding workshop. This free public program teaches the basics of bird identification; how to use binoculars, guides and apps; types of bird safety and ways to bird safely; and the importance of inclusion and allyship in birding and the outdoors. We’ll spend time outside putting your learning to quick use. Our route outside will consist of a mix of paved, gravel, and grassy surfaces with slight gradients. All-gendered restrooms will be available. No binoculars? No problem! We have plenty of loaners to spare. Note: Participation may be capped due to space restrictions, at which time notice of a wait list will be added to the top of the registration form. Please continue to register to join the waitlist. Should we receive cancellations, we’ll right away invite those on waitlist to confirm in the order registrations were received. Reach Wake Audubon board director and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging co-chair Rick LaRose at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to building your beginner birding skills together with you on March 7! See more details • •
8	9	10 Wake Audubon Meeting: Wake Audubon Meeting: The Purple Martin Story: Their Journey, Their Future, and Our Role Wake Audubon Meeting: Wake Audubon Meeting: The Purple Martin Story: Their Journey, Their Future, and Our Role March 10, 2026 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Nature Research Center, 121 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA Wake Audubon Monthly Meeting: The Purple Martin Story: Their Journey, Their Future, and Our Role (Meeting is usually In Person and Zoom, but check back for updates!) Time: Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 - 9:00 pm Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601 Topic: This presentation will explore the biology and history of the Purple Martin, the conservation challenges impacting the species, effective techniques for colony attraction and management, and opportunities for community involvement in local Purple Martin projects. Speaker: Certified Environmental Educator Courtney Rousseau is the President and co-founder of the North Carolina Purple Martin Society, which was established in 2010 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2021. Since 2008, she has worked with multiple martin colony sites, helped to coordinate annual banding events in Raleigh, and mentored new martin landlords , while collaborating with birding and wildlife groups across the state. Her conservation and educational work has been recognized with awards from the Wake Audubon Society and South Wake Conservationists. https://www.ncpurplemartin.org/ Place: In-person + Virtual via Zoom Location: NC Museum of Natural Sciences: Nature Research Center, 121 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC - 4th floor meeting room Location: In-person + Zoom (Note: The two speakers will be on Zoom ) Place: In-person + Virtual - use https://www.zoom.us/join , choose "Join meeting" (no login needed) Meeting code: 831 3786 5298 Password: 4Birds Park (for free after 6:30 pm) and walk to the main museum entrance on Jones Street, just to the right of the giant globe. Since the NC Museum of Natural Sciences is usually closed at night, someone will be at the door ONLY from 7 to 7:45 to let you in, so please be on time. Take the elevator to the fourth floor meeting room. The east-facing entrance of the "old wing" of the museum will not be used. If you feel unwell, please stay home and enjoy our presentation over Zoom We hope you will help us by joining Wake Audubon and National Audubon! visit wakeaudubon.org *Last updated 2025-07-17 by Beegle WATCH for updates. Location and date sometime change! See more details •	11	12	13 Williamson Preserve: Reservation-only birdwalk Williamson Preserve: Reservation-only birdwalk March 13, 2026 8:00 am - 10:30 am Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, 4409 Mial Plantation Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610, USA Birding at Williamson Preserve When: Friday, MARCH 13, 2026, 8:00 - 10:30 am Where: Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, 4409 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh Leader: Marc Ribaudo Note: After a heavy rain, the preserve may be closed to prevent erosion, so we may have to cancel the outing. You should receive an email from TLC if the event is canceled. Note the specific location to park, which is also in the TLC email. Sign up using this link; a waitlist is available if the walk is full! https://triangleland.org/explore/events and scroll to the Wake Audubon event. Join Wake Audubon and Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) for a morning of birding and exploring the Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve near the Wake County / Johnston County line. Our volunteer birder, Marc Ribaudo, will guide you through the meadow and Two Ponds Loop covering about 2 miles of soft trails. Please wear good walking shoes and bring a water bottle, and binoculars if you have them. More info available on Meetup. See more details •	14 NC Art Park Birding NC Art Park Birding March 14, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, 1800 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA NCMA Goodnight Park birding is on the second Saturday of each month. Register via Wake Audubon Meetup, limited to 25 participants. Leader is LynnErla Beegle Location is Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, 1800 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; meet outside the Park Welcome Center, near the old tall smokestack, west end of the parking lot. See more details Wendell Park with Frank Wendell Park with Frank March 14, 2026 8:30 am - 10:00 am Wendell Park, West 3rd Street, Wendell, NC WAKE AUDUBON BIRD OUTING: MARCH 14, 2026, from 8:30 to 10:00. Location: Wendell Community Park, 601 West 3rd Street, Wendell, NC Leader: Frank D This birdwalk repeats on the second Saturday of most months. Check Meetup ( https://www.meetup.com/wake-audubon-meetup/ ) and wakeaudubon.org calendars for updates. Wendell Park is one of our easternmost Wake County hotspots. It has a range of habitats. It tends to get plenty of winter birds if conditions are right (not windy). Technically, an RSVP is not required for this birdwalk, but it is helpful.  Park in the grassy field on the left. Look for people with binoculars. Wendell Park ebird hotspot: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L5460345 Thank you for your interest in birding with others. Our Meetup is FREE to you and supported by Wake Audubon. We hope you will support us by joining Wake Audubon Society ($20 per year) and by donations and by volunteering. See http://wakeaudubon.org/support/ for more information See more details Beginner Bird for All Beginner Bird for All March 14, 2026 9:00 am - 12:15 pm Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park, 5229 Awls Haven Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614, USA Complete this form to register. This free workshop requires registration OFF Meetup. Beginner Birders Program with Wake Audubon and Raleigh Parks. Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026 Time: 9:00* a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (*Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in; arrive 8:40 a.m. if borrowing binoculars), Location: Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson St. Raleigh, NC 27610 Calling everyone curious about birding, but not sure where to begin! ‘Birding’ – or the observation of birds in their natural habitats as a hobby – has become one of the most popular outdoor activities. If you are taking a new interest in birds and looking for help getting started, come develop your skills together with others at our Beginning Birding workshop. This free public program teaches the basics of bird identification; how to use binoculars, guides and apps; types of bird safety and ways to bird safely; and the importance of inclusion and allyship in birding and the outdoors. We’ll spend time outside putting your learning to quick use. Our route outside will consist of flat, paved concrete and asphalt trails. Gendered restrooms will be available. Snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided. No binoculars? No problem! We have plenty of loaners to spare. Co-founded by Wake Audubon and Field Inclusive, Inc., in partnership with City of Raleigh Parks, our mission is to provide safe, equitable and accessible outdoor experiences for everyone. Note: Participation may be capped due to space restrictions, at which time notice of a wait list will be added to the top of the registration form. Please continue to register to join the waitlist. Should we receive cancellations, we’ll right away invite those on waitlist to confirm in the order registrations were received. Reach Wake Audubon board member, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging co-chair and Beginning Birding program manager Rick LaRose at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to you beginning to bird with us on March 14! See more details • • •
15 Bass Lake Park Bird Outing Bass Lake Park Bird Outing March 15, 2026 8:15 am - 10:30 am 900 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540, USA Join Jessica W and Wake Audubon for a Bird Outing at Bass Lake on Sunday, MARCH 15, 2026, 8:15 The park opens at 8 am. The address is 900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC (note that this is the main parking lot, not the smaller lot on another road). Meet at the end of the parking lot near the building. This 2+ mile walk on unpaved trails begins at 8:15 and ends shortly after 10:30. **This outing is on soft trails. We might cover the east side of the lake and then walk to the adjacent Sugg Farm, which is also part of Bass Lake Park. Wear shoes that can take a bit of mud as the trail if it has rained recently. Leader is Jessica Williams ([email protected], 913-424-5062). See more details •	16	17 Book Club - Wake Audubon MacGregor Starbucks Book Club - Wake Audubon MacGregor Starbucks March 17, 2026 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm Starbucks, 101 Edinburgh S Dr, Cary, NC 27511, USA Wake Audubon Book Club Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 6:45 pm to 8:00pm MacGregor Village STARBUCKS, 101 S Edinburgh Drive, Cary, NC We will be discussing Salmon Cannon and Levitating Frog by Carly Anne York https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carly-anne-york/the-salmon-cannon-and-the-levitating-frog/ The author, Carly Anne York, shows how unappreciated, overlooked, and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Our next meeting will be at 6:45 at Starbucks. We discuss the current book, and we encourage you to bring a readily-available book to suggest for our next Book Club meeting. You are also encouraged to participate in our book exchange (bring books to give away or trade). Thanks Please be prepared to make a small purchase to justify our free use of the conference room. See more details •	18	19 Invasive Plant Removal at CHJEEP Invasive Plant Removal at CHJEEP March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 11:00 am Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park, 301 Wagstaff Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, USA Volunteers Needed for Invasive Plant Removal at Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park (CHJEEP) on Thursday, MARCH 19, 2026, 9 - 11 am Location is 301 Wagstaff Rd., Fuquay-Varina 27526 Leader: Jim Hunsberger, [email protected] Please join Wake Audubon volunteers and help with invasive plant removal at CHJEEP. This helps the birds and other wildlife. We will meet in the parking lot of CHJEEP. NOTE: Must be 18 years old or older, close-toed shoes required. Bring hand tools and buckets (or borrow from town supplied tools), water, bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, safety glasses, wear a hat, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt. Town staff will be on hand with a debris trailer. They will use targeted herbicide treatments as necessary after we remove the plants (thus, we don't have to struggle to dig out the roots). Thanks for helping to improve the flora of this lovely park! "The focus of this 28-acre park is environmental education. Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park was originally a 20-acre tract of land donated to the Town of Fuquay-Varina in 1992 by the late Mayor Alfred Johnson and his wife Carroll Howard Johnson. Eight acres were donated by Horace Tart in 1998, enlarging the park to its current 28 acres. Get back to nature at the Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park. Explore the 2-mile nature trail and uncover the natural treasures in Fuquay-Varina. Crossing beautiful overlooks and natural bridges, visitors will find a path of wooded splendor, local flora and fauna, and many species of birds that highlight the everyday wonders of Fuquay-Varina’s nature." Thanks for helping out! (Rain date is Thursday March 26) See more details •	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28 Hilltop-Needmore Park (North) Bird Outing Hilltop-Needmore Park (North) Bird Outing March 28, 2026 8:30 am - 10:30 am Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve, 4621 Shady Greens Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, USA Free Birding trip with Wake Audubon at Hilltop-Needmore Park NORTH 4621 Shady Greens Drive, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 Leaders: Larry Zoller and Kyra Thurow Bartow Location: Lower Clubhouse Parking Lot Date: Saturday, FEBRUARY 28, 2026, 8:30 to 10:30 AM Come join Wake Audubon for a winter morning bird walk on the North Trail. The walk is leisurely with frequent stops for birds. There are elevation changes but we often stop to enjoy birds. Please wear shoes good for walking on the dew-covered grassy fairway. Anyone 6 years and up are welcome to join us! The path we take includes steep inclines, but no stairs. This walk is usually on the fourth Saturday of most months. Ebird hotspot site: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L16295752 Let's Go Birding! See more details •
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