*Late July blooms in the new native plant pollinator garden at Lake Elberta Park. Photos by Kathleen Carr*

Summer is usually our slow season, but this year AAS has been active at Lake Elberta Park, monitoring the Purple Martin nests (a new activity for us!) and installing a new native plant pollinator garden; located on the east side of the lake near the Stearns Street park entrance.

After the City tilled a plot for us in late April, AAS members and friends donated a variety of native or Florida-friendly plants from their home gardens. The only plants that we purchased came from the Leon County Extension Office plant sale. Many thanks to the following plant donors:

Juli deGrummond
James Carr
Sara Van Beck
Margaret Feaster

East Pollinator Garden as of July 26, planting started May 4, 2024. If you haven’t been by the park lately, stop by and check it out! Meanwhile, take a tour via the slideshow and video below. Photo by Kathleen Carr

Volunteer Kudos

AAS volunteers have been busy the past three months and many thanks to all who have given their time and efforts. Juli deGrummond gave presentations for aspiring birders at four different Leon County Public Library branches, and has continued to lead bird walks, including outings for young birders.

James Carr, tending to the new garden.
Photo by Kathleen Carr

Since May 5th, James Carr has put in over 200 hours at Lake Elberta Park caring for the new native plants pollinator garden, helping with the Purple Martin array replacement in May, and assisting with nest monitoring. He has also made numerous trips to pick up loads of mulch.

He has been the primary caretaker of the garden, with nearly a dozen varieties now in place. James has been to the park nearly every day, sometimes twice, adding more donated plants and keeping them watered during an EXTREMELY hot, dry season, hauling 6-8 gallons a day! Visit the slideshow below to see more of the garden.

Black-eyed Susan
Candelabra bush
Daisy Fleabane
Firebush
Mexican Sunflower
Milkweed
Pentas
Purple Coneflower
Rain Lily
Salvia
Stokes Aster

Purple Coneflower being visited by a bumblebee. Recorded by Kathleen Carr.

Purple Martin Colony Volunteers

Purple Martins congregating at the 8-nest-gourd array. Recorded by Kathleen Carr.

*Young Purple Martin nestlings. Photo by Lucas Pittman*

The Purple Martins have left the park and are headed to Brazil. This year’s nesting season was devastated by the May 10 tornado that toppled the 16-nest-gourd array, killing 66 nestlings and eggs. After the gourds were re-hung on a replacement array on May 11, 7 pairs re-nested and successfully raised 17 nestlings who we believe fledged successfully. Thank you to the following volunteers who helped with the Purple Martin nest monitoring starting last spring:

Lucas Pittman
Ashley Casciotti
Fred Fergus
Kathleen Carr
James Carr