Our Mission
Educate and motivate residents to embrace an active commitment to our natural environment including native plants, waterways and wildlife, especially birds and butterflies.
About Us
Grand Harbor Audubon, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 2007 by a group of concerned residents to ensure that Grand Harbor retains its unique certification as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. We have since developed into a thriving member organization. Throughout Grand Harbor, wherever you venture and admire the beauty of nature, remember that your Audubon team of volunteers has had an important role in creating and maintaining what you see.
Annual Meeting and Garden Party
The Grand Harbor Audubon Annual Meeting and Garden Party was held on April 6, 2026. The Audubon president (Lyn Groves) opened the meeting and provided a summary of accomplishments. Her remarks were followed by Kathy Phillips’ treasurer report, and a review of next season’s programs presented by the Programs chair Annette Jameson. Kathy Phillips, Alex Diedrick, and Bob Filebark were then unanimously elected to fill the three open board seats.
Last year’s Volunteer of the Year, Jeanine Nestor, announced the 2026 winner and presented a very surprised Bob Joy with the award. Lyn Groves ended the meeting with a great slash pine story that was enjoyed by all.
At this point we normally adjourn to our amazing gardens, but Mother Nature had other ideas. While it was still sunny when the meeting adjourned, the lightening sirens were sounding. Most of the 100 attendees adjourned to the Pete Dye room to enjoy our wine and cheese reception, while a few braved the weather and headed to the gardens in search of the little slash pine. All in all, it was a lovely way to end the season.
Rose Virgin
Grand Harbor Audubon Annual Meeting Speakers
Click here to read the native Slash Pine plant talk
Volunteer of the Year
Bob Joy
Jeanine Nestor announced Bob Joy as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year and presented him with the award
"In recognition of and admiration for his steadfast leadership, tireless efforts, expansive knowledge, and multiple talents we honor Bob Joy as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year.
We applaud his leadership and creativity as he served two terms on the Grand Harbor Audubon board of directors initially serving on the programs committee and then three years as board president.
During his tenure Bob initiated several successful programs, including the production of Audubon notecards using the winners of a photo contest. He led the butterfly garden tribute paver project and chaired the pond twenty-two, now Audubon Pond, beautification project. Under his leadership as president, he encouraged donors to fund various projects and he enhanced Grand Harbor Audubon’s presence in the Grand Harbor Club and community. He continues to provide his amazing photographic talent by capturing participants and birds during our bird walks.
Bob’s positive spirit, ongoing leadership and peerless dependability are greatly admired and appreciated."
Seen in Grand Harbor
Click on any photo for full screen
We encourage Audubon members to email info@grandharboraudubon.org to share pictures of birds, plants and wildlife captured in Grand Harbor. All residents are welcome to join GHA.
Thank you to all that submitted the beautiful pictures.
The GH Audubon Nature Gardens (Butterfly & Native) are alive with plants, trees, birds and butterflies abound in a thriving natural scene. This special place is located behind the main GH clubhouse, on the other side of any of the bridges you will see a pergola which is the entrance to the gardens. Grand Harbor club members and community residents are welcome to explore and enjoy the gardens.
In order to maintain the gardens, a 2 hour, once a month morning "worker bee" is held during the season where volunteers show up at their own convenience to pitch in with planting, weeding, trimming, etc., whatever is needed at the time.
Come join us when the next garden volunteer opportunity is announced, there are plenty of tasks for all abilities.
Grand Harbor Audubon
Butterfly & Native Nature Gardens
BEHAVIOR AND NEST DEFENCE
Killdeer are often spotted in pairs because they are typically monogamous during the breeding season and share duties defending their ground-based nests. If a person or predator gets too close, an adult may slip off the nest and perform a dramatic “broken-wing” display—limping and calling to lure the threat away—sometimes for 15–20 minutes before circling back when it’s safe.
Nest & EGGS
Killdeer nests are simple: a shallow scrape on the ground, often on a slight rise and about 3–5 inches across. Pairs typically lay 4–6 eggs. The eggs are buff-colored and heavily marked with blackish-brown speckles, providing excellent camouflage against gravel or bare ground. Eggs usually hatch in about 22–28 days because incubation does not begin until the final egg is laid.
CHICKS AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Chicks are precocial, meaning they can move and feed shortly after hatching. They are born with eyes open and a full coat of buffy down, and they can walk within minutes of drying. To reduce the chance of attracting predators, parents remove broken eggshells from the nesting area after hatching. Unlike many other baby birds, killdeer chicks forage for their own food (such as small insects) right away, and they typically take their first flight around day 25.
DIET, CALL AND LIFESPAN
Despite their shoreline reputation, killdeer mostly forage on dry land—running in short bursts to snag insects and other small prey such as beetles, grasshoppers, snails, and crayfish. Their name comes from their sharp “kill-deer” call. The oldest recorded killdeer lived 10 years and 11 months.
A ground nest was nearby—thanks for helping us give it a little space.
Because killdeer nest on the ground and often forage near people, they are especially vulnerable to vehicle strikes and pesticides.
OUR KILLDEER NEST HAS HATCHED!
By Janet Thomas
The killdeer pictured was recently nesting on 4 eggs in the coquina outside the back of the Accounting trailer, just off the concrete sidewalk and parking area. On May 1st the eggs hatched! All signs of the nest are gone. It appears from sightings of the Killdeer babies playing on the putting green near the GH Clubhouse and down by the pond that the chicks were safely on their way after hatching. CONGRATS TO MAMA KILLDEER!
If you're interested in bringing your children or grandchildren over to the Audubon Garden to play Garden Bingo, just stop by and ask the GH concierge for a bingo card for each child and enjoy this activity with your children and/or grandchildren. When done, the child can stop by the concierge for a treat.
Click the card name if interested in seeing our Spring/Summer 2026 bingo card.
Garden Bingo
An activity for kids
For Answers to Common Questions about Injured Birds or Wildlife
Click to visit our Resources Page
Alligators
Alligator mating season is now underway, so it’s especially important to stay alert around our ponds. During this time, alligators may be more active and territorial than usual. Please keep a safe distance from the water’s edge, closely supervise children and pets, and never feed or approach wildlife.
Videos are courtesy of Anne Diedrick
More ... Seen in Grand Harbor Through the Years
