2024-2025
Event Photos
Grand Harbor Audubon Day
November 23, 2024
Grand Harbor Audubon (GHA) hosted our first program of the 2024/2025 season, Audubon Day, on November 23rd. Friends of GHA gathered for a nine-hole scramble and buffet dinner on a beautiful, sunny day. Audubon Day, our only fundraiser, and seasonal memberships provide the funds needed to support our programs, nature gardens’ upkeep, and special projects, and we are so grateful for your continued support of our organization.
Enjoy a stroll through our butterfly garden, an early morning bird walk in February with neighbors, learn about our ponds in April, and join us as we celebrate our gardens with tours at our Garden Party. And for those of you that like to play in the dirt, worker bee days and times are listed online. No experience in gardening is needed as our gardens’ committee members will steer you to the nearest patch of weeds. Thank you to all who attended our successful Audubon Day, and to all of you who continue to support us with your donations, memberships, volunteering, and participation in various programs.
Sincerely, Lyn Groves
Welcome Back
Holiday Wine & Cheese Reception
December 9, 2024
Photos are courtesy of Rose Virgin
On December 9, 2024, Cindi and Michael Brunner hosted the Grand Harbor Audubon Holiday Wine and Cheese Reception at their beautiful home in The Falls. The festive surroundings and holiday atmosphere provided for a well-attended event. There was no shortage of refreshments and cheer provided by our hosts as well as Programs Committee and Board members.
Sales of memberships, renewals, note cards and garden pavers were also well received by our guests. Lastly. a wonderful gift donated by Glenn Harmon of ENTONCES.ORG was raffled off to our guests. This gift was a private guided Wildlife-Kayak Tour for Six, with Gourmet Lunch Catering, along waters in the Wabasso Beach/Indian River Lagoon Area.
Kathy Phillips
Live Animal Presentation
by Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
January 7, 2025
In spite of the chilly afternoon/evening, we had a tremendous turnout with close to 100 attendees (standing room only!) at our live animal presentation.
Our presenters, Olivia and Ed, presented us with a fascinating and animated program where they introduced us to six rescued native FL wildlife ambassadors that included: a baby alligator, an opossum, a box turtle, a snake, a barred owl and an American Kestral. They especially impressed us with their extensive knowledge and fun facts throughout the program.
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, FL has a twofold mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. It is worth a trip to spend a day visiting the many other animals too large to make the trip to Grand Harbor as well as to see the many other interesting exhibits.
By Kathy Phillips
Click on any photo to enlarge
Photos are courtesy of Bob Joy (1-16) and Rose Virgin (17-31)
Grand Harbor Audubon
Annual Bird Walks
Our bird walks were very successful and saw our largest group turnouts to date, the fog on February 8th added a unique touch to the morning. Luckily after a light early morning rain, our 7:30 am group saw a much prettier day. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic birdwatchers come together to enjoy nature.
For both dates, we met at Spoonbills and enjoyed a generous coffee, pastry and fruit breakfast presented by the Club. Our first group was led by Naturalist Heather Stapleton, with an assist by Lynne Schneebeck in logging the bird sightings, departing around 7:00 am. The second group followed at 7:30 am. This group was led by Deb Fletcher with a bird sighting logging assist by Al Alley. Both groups walked for about 1.5 hours on the River Course and within the GH Community to enjoy the opportunity of not only seeing great views of Grand Harbor but spotting and learning of the many species of birds.
The February 8th walk was a tie with 34 different species sighted by both groups. The February 15th groups had similar counts of 34 and 31 species, respectively.
We look forward to more amazing walks in the future. Please consider joining us for a future fun and educational bird walk. You will not be disappointed!
To see a enlarged spreadsheet of all of the different birds that were sighted click here.
Kathy Phillips
February 8, 2025
Click on any photo to see them in full screen
A special thank you to Bob Joy, Rose Virgin and Heather Stapleton for the photos
February 15, 2025
A special thank you to Bob Joy and Rose Virgin for the photos