Seminole Audubon Society In Action

Brown-headed Nuthatch – photo by Ken Schmidt

SAS in Action!

other fun stuff we do!

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The Big Sit!

The Big Sit! is an annual, international birding event founded and hosted by the New Haven (Connecticut) Bird Club.

Every year, bird watchers from around the globe unite on this special day by participating in this free event, open to any person and club in any country!

Since 2008, the Seminole Sitters, SAS’s team has participated in the Big SIT! Our count circle is located at Lake Jesup Wilderness Area.

Most years, the Seminole Sitters have enjoyed the “bragging rights” for coming in second and third on the most species documented in Florida. Our circle often is the only one reporting a Limpkin.

Limpkins – photo by Ken Schmidt

Adopt-a-Park at Lake Jesup Park

At the Big Sit! bird count at Lake Jesup Park, participants noticed a lot of trash. This is a passive park which also has a boat ramp to the lake. SAS started cleaning up the trash on a regular basis through the Adopt-a-Park program in 2020. Interestingly, after this project was started, more trash cans were installed in the park and they are emptied on a more regular basis. Subsequently, the park has been much cleaner.

Purple Martin Houses

Each January, we erect gourds on two poles along Lake Monroe to attract the Purple Martins. The poles are removed by mid-August when the Purple Martins have left for their wintering grounds in South America.

These birds live in small colonies close to people and water and help control the insect population along the Sanford waterfront.

The project began when we noticed that Purple Martins were using light fixtures to build nests. We received permission from the City of Sanford Parks & Recreation Department to erect the housing in the marina area.

In 2020, SAS received a grant from National Audubon to develop an education kiosk about Purple Martins. This was placed at the marina so visitors can learn about these birds as they enjoy watching them.

In 2024, the City of Sanford purchased 36 gourds and upgraded poles. These were installed in January 2025 prior to the nesting season