What we’re about
This group enjoys local (and regional) trips to see wildlife in the Raleigh, Wake County area of North Carolina. We focus on birdwatching, and we enjoy teaching anyone who is new to birding. We welcome visitors to the area who want to attend our trips.
We also volunteer for various events, including river cleanups, prairie management at local parks, nestbox maintenance, helping with events at various parks and museums, and "citizen science" projects (such as Christmas Bird Count and Great Backyard Bird Count).
Wake Audubon has a group for youth (teens 12 - 18); you can read more about the Young Naturalists Group at http://www.wakeaudubon.org/ync.htm as the trips for YN are not posted on this Meetup site.
There is no requirement to join Wake Audubon Society in order to be a member of this Meetup. There is no fee for this Meetup. We encourage you to join Wake Audubon, however, as we depend on member fees to support our environmental projects: http://www.wakeaudubon.org/join.htm Wake Audubon meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh. The meeting is open to the public.
Wake Audubon Society is a member of Audubon NC and of the National Audubon Society. We have a membership of about 1,200 and hold monthly meetings, field trips, bird walks and other activities. Wake Audubon is made up of a diverse group of people with a variety of interests and specialties; we're not just birders. Wake Audubon members share a common interest in wildlife, nature and environmental conservation: http://www.wakeaudubon.org/what_we_do.htm
Mission Statement: "To foster knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of nature; to encourage responsible environmental stewardship; to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity."
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hilltop-Needmore Park (North), 2024-04-27Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Hilltop-Needmore Park (North)
Saturday, APRIL 27, 2024
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 am
Free Bird Outing with Wake Audubon4621 Shady Greens Drive, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Leaders: Kyra Bartow (leaders also include David Southwick, Larry Zoller)Join us for a Wake Audubon bird outing at Hilltop-Needmore Park on the last Saturday of most months (check here for updates). You can RSVP after the Wake Audubon newsletter publishes, near the start of each month.
We will meet at the lower end of the old Club House parking lot. Look for a "Bird Walk Here" sign. We will start promptly at 8:30 am regardless of the weather and should finish by 10:30 am.
Dress for the weather and be prepared to walk paved trails and occasionally on wet grassy fairways. There is some elevation change but we will not be moving quickly as we stop frequently for birds. No birding experience is necessary. Bring your binoculars and a bird guide if you have one. The walk is not recommended for children under 6. Please leave your pets at home.
Ebird hotspot site: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L16295752
The hotspot has over 115 birds observed!Here is the April 2023 ebird checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S135067769Let's Go Birding!
The Leader will make and share an ebird list and share it with your ebird account. Individual lists are discouraged because they duplicate the data, but you can edit your list once it's shared to you. - Early Birders at Prairie Ridge (NO LEADER, 2024-05-10, 06:00 AM or later)Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh, NC
Early Birders at Prairie Ridge (NO LEADER, 2024-05-10, 06:00 AM or later)
Early Birders welcome at Prairie Ridge Ecostation on:
Friday, MAY 10, 2024, 6:00 AM EDT or any time thereafter!
Leader: NONE. Bird on your own or with people you meet.
Address: 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh. Do NOT park outside the gates.
The Prairie Ridge staff are opening the gates EARLY, ONE FRIDAY A MONTH, so that birders can come enjoy early morning birding.
And yes, you can arrive ANY TIME after the start time!
Visit the event website here: https://naturalsciences.org/calendar/venue/prairie-ridge/
Normal hours of operation for Prairie Ridge Ecostation are Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 4pm (closed on Sunday and Monday) and closed on most state holidays. Please CONFIRM that there are no delays to the opening date and time by visiting their website!Please note that there is no official birding program happening.
Their website says: "Everyone knows the best birding happens early in the morning, so we are pleased to welcome Early Birds at Prairie Ridge! Bring your own binoculars or camera and stop by before we open to enjoy our early morning birds. No pre-registration is required and you’re welcome to arrive as early as the stated time! Rain cancels event.
Assume no facilities will be available.
See their website for maps and other information.
https://naturalsciences.org/prairie-ridge
Follow along on Facebook @prairieridge
You can RSVP here but remember, there is NO LEADER for this outing.
NOTE: Prairie Ridge is NOT a wheelchair accessible site; it has all soft trails.
It is best to wear long sleeves and boots for your visit.
NO DOGS are allowed at Prairie Ridge Ecostation.
The restrooms in the building near the Purple Martin houses might be open. The brick building is not open to the general public.
Hope to see some birders out nice and early! : )
- Birding at Williamson Preserve (Register Off Meetup)Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, Raleigh, NC
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 experienced birder will guide you through the meadow and Two Ponds Loop covering about 2 miles of mostly dirt trails. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, this is a great chance to connect with nature and learn about the diverse bird species that call the grasslands, woodlands, and ponds home. You may even see a Loggerhead Shrike! View recent bird sightings here: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4669077
Please wear good walking shoes and layers and bring a water bottle, and binoculars if you have them. We will have a couple of loaner binoculars on hand.
REGISTRATION ON TLC'S WEBSITE IS REQUIRED
VERY IMPORTANT: 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 cancelled.
- Birding with Frank at Wendell Community Park 2024-05-11Wendell Community Park, Wendell, NC
BIRD OUTING: Wendell Park Birding With Frank
Bird Outing on SATURDAY MAY 11, 2024, 8:30 am TO 10:30 am
Location: Wendell Community Park, 601 West 3rd Street, Wendell, NC
Leader is Frank Doherty ( fdoherty@nc.rr.com )
This birdwalk repeats on the second Saturday of most months. Check Meetup and wakeaudubon.org calendars for updates.Wendell Park is one of our easternmost Wake County hotspots.
RSVP on Meetup opens about the start of the month.
Technically, an RSVP is not required for this birdwalk, but it is helpful.
Note: at times there is an event at the park and thus an entrance fee -- tell them you are there for the free birdwalk to avoid the fee.
Park in the grassy field on the left. Look for people with binoculars.
Wendell Park ebird hotspot: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L5460345
Thanks, Frank, for volunteering to be the trip leader!
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.