Nature Notes

A combination of wildlife sightings and interesting notes about our native wildlife, check back for updates! 

A Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), found by naturalist Brian Umanzor from Hidden Pond Nature Center in the Pohick Stream Valley.  Little Brown Bats hibernate during the winter months, usually in hollow trees, sometimes even abandoned buildings.  This bat was found under the bark of a Virginia Pine tree.   Little Brown Bats are one of the most common bats in Virginia.  They are very beneficial as they feed on many insects, including moths, wasps, beetles, mosquitoes, and gnats. 

  
 

A captive juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) kept at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg, Pennsylvania.  This young eagle is starting to get his adult plumage.  Juvenile Bald Eagles usually take 4-5 years to get the white head and white tail.  The Raptor Center at Shaver’s Creek keeps birds of prey that are injured and would not be able to survive in the wild.  In northern Virginia Bald Eagles have made a tremendous comeback and can now be regularly seen around many large sources of water.  Pohick Bay, Occoquan, and Fountainhead Regional Parks all commonly have sightings of Bald Eagles.  This picture taken by Shaver’s Creek Intern Alyssa Thiel.

A juvenile Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentin)handled by volunteer naturalist Elise Hagenberger.  Common Snapping Turtles grow to be our largest turtles, with a shell length average of 8-14 inches long, and weighing between 10-35lbs.  However the current Virginia state record is 51lbs.  This turtle was captured during a Pond Life Exploration program in May of 2010 at Bull Run Regional Park.  The pond is located near the Atlantis waterpark facility and is normally off limits to the public as a wildlife sanctuary.  The roving naturalist program offers special dip netting programs that allow for hands on exploration of the pond.  Participants usually catch small fish, tadpoles, crayfish, and aquatic insects.  Sometimes even baby turtles are found in our nets!  Programs are offered throughout the spring and summer for all ages.

  
     
 

A pair of Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) observed while kayaking at Occoquan Regional Park near the Ox Road Bridge.  Black Vultures are commonly seen in small or large flocks in good roosting spots.  These birds feed mostly on carrion (dead animals), but occasionally take small live mammals.  Black Vultures and our other species, the Turkey Vulture are commonly seen along highways and main roads soaring in search of a fresh road kill.   If startled and approached too close, the Black Vulture will regurgitate with amazing power and accuracy.  Occoquan Regional Park now offers kayak rentals on weekends, stop by for a chance to explore the Occoquan River on your own and see wildlife like this up close!
     

A Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) found during a nature hike at Bull Run Regional Park.  This wolf spider was observed carrying her egg sac with her.  Many wolf spiders build a silk egg sac and attach it to their abdomen for protection.  The egg sac goes where the mother spider goes.  When the eggs hatch, the young spiders stay on the mothers back until they are ready to survive on their own.  Rabid Wolf Spiders prey on many small insects on the ground, they do not build a large intricate web like other spiders.  While these spiders will bite if handled, they are not considered dangerous. 

  
     
  A Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) caught by angler Thomas Craft at Fountainhead Regional Park.  This fish was estimated to be about 35 lbs.  Flathead catfish occur in the Occoquan reservoir/ river, James River, and New River in Virginia.  They are also stocked in many of the states well known fishing lakes.  Fountainhead Regional Park offers great opportunities for catfish and bass fishing.  The park has recently begun several night catfishing tournaments as well.
     
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), spotted near Bull Run Marina Regional Park.  Red Foxes are common throughout northern Virginia and are mostly nocturnal.  This fox was observed patrolling the roadside, most likely in search of a small rodent for a quick meal.  
     
  An Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio) kept in captivity at Potomac Overlook Regional Park.  This bird was injured, most likely hit by a car and cared for by the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia.  After surgeries were done to try and repair the owl’s broken hip, it was decided that she could not survive in the wild again.  Potomac Overlook currently houses three rehabilitated birds of prey including a Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, and Great Horned Owl.  Unfortunately this Screech Owl recently died, most likely of natural causes.  Potomac Overlook’s Birds of Prey viewing area is open to the public during regular nature center hours.  Come by and see these amazing birds!
 
     
A Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) found at Fountainhead Regional Park by Ranger Axel Boy.  Copperheads are the only commonly found venomous snake in northern Virginia.  This snake can grow between 2-4 feet long and have a stout thick body.  Copperheads mainly feed on rodents, amphibians, and insects.  Copperhead bites are serious and should receive prompt medical attention, however they are rarely if ever fatal to humans.  This snake is usually not aggressive and will only bite if handled or in most cases accidently stepped on. For more information on how to identify a venomous snake, go to the Virginia Herpetological Society website at www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com
 		  
     

 

This Juvenile Queen Snake (Reginaseptemvittata) was found at Bull Run Regional Park on April 16th 2010.  Queen Snake’s are small non-venomous snakes that inhabit creeks and swamps.  These snakes have a very specialized diet that mainly includes crayfish.  Due to habitat loss, they are not commonly found in northern Virginia.
     

This Osprey nest was spotted on a sign post in the Occoquan River near Occoquan Regional Park.  Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are fish eating birds of prey that usually live around larger sources of water.  During most months, ospreys are commonly seen in many of our regional parks.  Nesting usually occurs during the months of May and June in northern Virginia.  This nest can easily be spotted from the shore on the paved trail at Occoquan Regional Park.

  
     

  Green Treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) while rare in much of northern Virginia are still found at Pohick Bay Regional Park, listen for a high pitched quacking call during the mid summer months.  This is the mating call of the male Green Treefrog.  Join in on paddle tour at Pohick Bay for a chance to see and hear these treefrogs up close.
     
A mating pair of Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) observed at Pohick Bay on June 5th 2009.  Gray Treefrogs will mate when conditions are right anytime in the mid spring through the summer.  
 
     
  A Barred Owl (Strix varia) photographed by the night ranger Tom Krial at Bull Run Regional Park.  Barred Owls are a common owl that inhabits many of our regional parks.  This owl was observed hunting rodents in the fields near a playground at Bull Run.