Wildlife You Might Spot in Our Parks this Fall

Photo credit: Douglas Hill, at Rippon Lodge

While you’re out and about in our parks this fall you might come across one or some of our many interesting “neighbors” that also live in the area. From birds, butterflies and deer, to river otters, snakes, foxes and raccoons, these are just some of the wildlife you may come across this fall in our parks. The deciduous forest regions in the county make for a wide array of wildlife for all of us to enjoy. 

Gray squirrel, American crow and the northern cardinal are often spotted by our park rangers depending on what part of the county they’re working in that day. 

“Some wildlife you see at one park you may not see at another,” notes one park ranger.

For example, at Neabsco Regional Park and the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, you might see beavers, muskrats, American bullfrog, red winged blackbirds, osprey, bald eagle, great blue heron, common snapping turtle and much more. And at Lake Ridge Park and the Marina you might spot a red fox, box turtles, lots of barn swallows as they nest around the marina, painted turtles, red bellied sliders, cormorants and more. 

If you’re visiting George Hellwig Memorial Park, you might spot American crows, northern mockingbirds, gray tree frogs, raccoons, bluebirds or even a black bear.

“Silver Lake Regional Park offers the opportunity to see wild turkey, coyote, black bear, kill deer, numerous species of woodpeckers and maybe a timber rattlesnake,” says Senior Ranger, Matt Sale.

While we encourage “wildlife watching” our park rangers want to make sure everyone knows how to do it responsibly. 

Some rules our rangers say to follow: Do not feed or disturb wildlife; always view from a distance to not interfere; and always leave no trace when visiting a park. If you are walking a dog, always keep them on a leash, and never let them chase wildlife.

Photo credit: Douglas Hill. Photo taken at Rippon Lodge.

Some things we do encourage – take photos! And share them with us if you’d like. 

“Wildlife viewing and photography has increased in popularity,” says Senior Park Ranger, Matt Sale. But he reminds us “it is best to view wildlife from a safe distance.” 

Other “do’s” Sale offers, “Always stay on the main established trails and practice the “tread lightly” concept. Some wildlife have become accustomed to humans, especially in parks where human/wildlife encounters are more common, but please resist the temptation to get too close.”

Sale also says that if you observe an injured animal, please report it to a park ranger. “When observing young wildlife that looks like it has been abandoned, it is best to leave it alone. In most cases mother is close by, so just contact a park ranger.”

Our park rangers will also work with animal control officers and wildlife rehabbers as needed for any injured or sick animals found in the parks. 

When visiting our parks, it’s good to remember that these animals live there and we are just visiting the parks.

If you see our park rangers while you’re out and about at our parks, feel free to ask questions. Our rangers are there to make sure the park is clean, safe and accessible for patrons and wildlife, and have a wealth of knowledge about our parks.

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