Campbell Pollinator Meadows and River Park

04/30/2024

Check out the latest bird sightings in the park through the eBird app. Anne recorded an impressive 53 species over the weekend! App link in comments below ⬇️

04/16/2024

What an honor to welcome Sandhills Natural History Society to the park this past weekend! Their collective knowledge of the natural world was astounding, actually. Bruce, their resident botanist extraordinaire, helped us identify some interesting spring bloomers and add to the invasive species list. Many thanks to Campbell University President Bradley Creed for hosting the group for lunch after a long hike!

04/04/2024

April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue but an important topic, none the less! Which ones do you see in the Campbell Pollinator Meadows and River Park?

Nonnative invasive species are a hot topic these days, and rightfully so as they are considered one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. News headlines are filled with stories of emerald ash borer (EAB) causing widespread decline of ash trees, zebra mussels clogging waterways, Bradford pear and tree of heaven choking out forests and feral hogs plowing through an area consuming anything in their path.

Over the past centuries, globalization has led to the intentional and unintentional introduction of more than 37,000 species beyond their natural ranges. Over time, more than 3,500 species have been introduced and classified as invasive, wreaking havoc on their new environments by outcompeting native wildlife, disrupting ecosystems and causing significant economic damage.

So, what's looming on the horizon for North Carolina?

Read more in our latest blog article: https://bit.ly/3vBHiYl

04/02/2024

Bird Box Distinctions

You’ll see three different types of bird boxes around the Pollinator Meadows:.The ones along the river have very small openings to host a very small bright yellow bird, the Prothonotary Warbler. Upland, you’ll find the Bluebird boxes with round holes reinforced to prevent larger birds from using the nest site.

The most unusual box is the one with a narrow slot just under the top piece of wood. These are designed for Chickadees, Titmice, and Wrens. The slot is to accommodate larger twigs these birds may use for nest building. We’ll be monitoring how successful this design is this year.

03/29/2024

Have you noticed those tepee structures popping up in the meadows recently? Dr. Bartlett’s Ecology class (BIO 327) is setting up dozens of these perch points for birds that “hawk” insects. Mostly used by Bluebirds, you may also see flycatchers like Phoebes, Peewees, and Kingbirds using them throughout the year, and if we’re lucky, perhaps Loggerhead Shrike.

Let us know what you observe in the park

03/16/2024

Thank you to the Buies Creek Garden Club for touring the park this week. Their enthusiasm and support is so appreciated!

Please come see for yourself what's newly in bloom and singing from the treetops!

02/24/2024

Campbell River Park has three new trails: Hidden Pecan Path, Lightning Strike Path and Buies Creek Trail. Check out our new map for 2024 to locate trails. Have fun out there!

11/08/2023

Lights out to help protect our migrating birds!

111,700 migrating birds crossed North Carolina last night, according to BirdCast’s migration dashboard. Turn off all unnecessary lights at night from 11pm-6am to help birds navigate the night sky. https://buff.ly/47WODQz

11/03/2023

Hey Harnett County, we KNOW you have nasty, unused chemicals sitting around! Time to put them in their proper place which is not the landfill. See the full flyer in comments which lists accepted items. Good job, friends of the planet!