Our Mission Statement
Educate and motivate residents to embrace an active commitment to our natural environment including native plants, waterways and wildlife, especially birds and butterflies.
To learn about Grand Harbor Audubon's Vision and Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Certification -- Click Here
Annual Bird Walks
"Birds Galore!"
Once again, Audubon sponsored two bird walks, one on February 7th and another on February 14th. Both were bright and beautiful days, but Mother Nature decided to add very cold breezes to our walk. So, …. we all bundled up and followed our Master Naturalist, Heather Stapleton as she led us around the property telling us stories and details of the many birds and native plantings. The crowd was smaller than usual but the birds were abundant! On our first walk, we saw 36 species and on our second walk, we viewed 39 species, with a very large showing from our White Pelicans! The air was filled with callings from our Sandhill Cranes, but somehow they avoided our cameras.
We were happy to welcome Shawn Byrnes, bird photographer, who has shared many of his photos with us. And of course, we welcomed our own Bob Joy who has delighted our Audubon group with his pictures for many walks and events.
Hopefully as we look forward to February 2027 and our bird walks, Mother Nature will cooperate with sending us some warm and sunny weather. Hope you can all join us at that time!
Annette Jameson
Audubon Program Chair
Photos courtesy of Bob Joy
Thank you, Bob!
Click on any photo for full screen to enjoy them at your own pace
To view detailed spreadsheets showing all of the birds spotted on the February 7 and 14th GHA bird walks, click here.
Tribute Pavers
In anticipation of a round of engraving occurring in early May, we are inviting you to consider supporting Audubon’s Nature Garden’s. Order forms can be picked up at the concierge desk, printed from our website and will be available at our Annual Meeting and Garden Party on April 6th. Orders must be received by April 20th.
Our program of selling tribute pavers in the Audubon Gardens has been enthusiastically received by the Grand Harbor community. To date, more than 60 pavers have been engraved in the Gardens pathway to thank friends, honor or memorialize loved ones and celebrate milestone events. All proceeds are dedicated to improving and maintaining the gardens.
Click on "Document.pdf" to open
Seen in Grand Harbor
A special thank you to Shawn Byrnes, a photographer that shared many of his stunning photographs with GHA
Click on any photo for full screen to view at your own pace
We encourage Audubon and Club 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.
Monarch Butterflies in Florida: Habits, Breeding, and Migration
Florida serves as a vital habitat for Monarch butterflies, renowned for their striking orange and black wings. Each autumn, Monarchs migrate thousands of miles from the northern United States and Canada to central Mexico, with Florida providing essential resources for their journey. Florida’s diverse environments—including coastal dunes, wetlands, pine flatwoods, and gardens—provide abundant nectar from native wildflowers such as milkweed, lantana, and goldenrod, which are essential for supporting Monarch butterflies.
Monarchs are important pollinators and contribute to Florida’s biodiversity. Their distinctive coloration signals toxicity acquired from milkweed, the exclusive host plant for their larvae. Florida’s climate enables a year-round breeding population, unlike northern regions where Monarchs are strictly migratory. Monarchs lay eggs on approximately 20 native milkweed species, which are crucial for healthy larval development.
Life cycle of Monarch Butterfly; Stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.
Monarch caterpillars feeding on native milkweed.
Close-up of Monarch eggs laid on milkweed leaves
GHA Native Garden’s milkweed provides a nectar source for Monarchs. While tropical milkweed is widely available, it is less suitable and may disrupt migration patterns; native milkweed is preferred for conservation. creating pollinator-friendly gardens and supporting habitat protection initiatives.
The Monarch migration is a unique phenomenon. No individual butterfly completes the entire round trip; instead, successive generations continue the journey, guided by instinct, solar cues, and Earth’s magnetic field. A special gene that enhances muscle efficiency gives Monarch butterflies a remarkable ability for long-distance migration. In spring, Florida serves as both a key breeding habitat and a starting point for Monarchs traveling northward.
Janel Thomas
Monarch butterfly egg
Twenty-five monarch caterpillars were collected at the January 5th worker bee, shown above. The below photos are of the 1st of 25 monarch butterflies to emerge from its chrysalis. After a monarch emerges from its chrysalis it sways for several hours drying its wings before taking flight.
Given the cooler weather at the time, and freeze on the way, two Audubon team members loaded up the butterfly cages and brought them to a warm home; the chrysalis were kept safe and monarchs kept fed and comfortable the extra few days they had to wait to be released in warmer temperatures. All 25 were healthy and took off with gusto and enthusiasm!
Grand Harbor Audubon
Butterfly & Native Nature Gardens
There is a place in Grand Harbor where birds and butterflies abound. The Nature Gardens are are alive with plants, trees, birds and butterflies in a thriving natural scene.
The Nature Gardens are located behind the main GH clubhouse, on the other side of any of the bridges. Follow any one of the paths behind the clubhouse and look for a pergola which is the entrance to the gardens. We welcome both Grand Harbor club members and community residents to explore and enjoy the gardens. Take a walk on the wild side and visit our Nature Gardens. We would also love to have you join one of our worker bees!
In order to maintain the gardens, monthly "worker bees" are held during the season and in the summer where volunteers show up at their own convenience to pitch in with planting, weeding, mulching, trimming, etc., whatever is needed at the time.
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Please join us on for the March Worker Bee on March 30th from 9-11
Any amount of time that you can volunteer is greatly appreciated!
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Uncle Manky
Verse
Red-shouldered Hawk
The afternoon of January 28th delivered an unexpected and dramatic moment.
After entering the front Grand Harbor gate, I noticed the Egyptian Geese goslings once again feeding along the roadside of Grand Harbor Boulevard, settled into one of their usual spots. Concerned about their safety, I stopped to gently shoo them back toward the pond. Once they were clear, I paused to take a photo of the rapidly growing brood - when the scene suddenly turned tense.
Out of nowhere, a red-shouldered hawk swooped in, attempting to seize one of the goslings. What followed was an astonishing display of instinct and bravery. Beloved by many residents and members, the hybrid goose/duck that has been helping raise to their young for at least 4 years, “Uncle Manky”, immediately sprang into action, confronting the hawk head-on. The two became locked in a fierce tussle, captured in the attached photos, as Uncle refused to yield an inch. Two golf course personnel on the other side of the pond also witnessed the scene and could see their curiosity.
Despite the close call, all seven remaining goslings were unharmed. Manky was an absolute superstar throughout the chaos, helping ensure the safety of the brood. Earlier this year one of the parents was sadly killed by a car so Uncle has been working overtime.
The first photo shows the initial standoff, a frozen moment of tension before the tussle . In the last image, you can see the hawk being chased off, a startled cormorant caught mid-frame as the hawk retreated.
It was a powerful reminder of both the dangers these young birds face and the extraordinary vigilance of those protecting them.
Alex Diedrick
Click on any photo for full screen
Grand Harbor Audubon
Garden Bingo
Audubon has an activity for children to use while exploring our garden. Just stop by and ask the GH concierge for a Garden 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.
If you are interested in seeing our winter 2025 bingo card, please click here.
The bingo card will be updated seasonally to highlight specific plants in bloom or different flora. The next card will be ready March 20th (the 1st day of Spring). Have fun!
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For Answers to Common Questions about Injured Birds or Wildlife
More ... Seen in Grand Harbor Through the Years
