Tag: wildlife
Scene Around A-Town: Green Spring wildlife
A heron (?) of some sort at Green Spring Gardens yesterday. Anyone know what this is? The springs at Green Springs are really green.
Scene around A-Town: lots of butterflies
Tiger swallowtail Have you seen all the butterflies around here? “This has been a banner year for the tiger swallowtail, the state insect,” says naturalist Suzanne Holland of Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. “It is not unusual to have many nectaring this time of year. They are a welcomed addition to backyards everywhere.” The … Continued
Beaver attacks swimmer in Lake Barcroft
American beaver Police from the Mason District report an 83-year-old woman was attacked by a beaver while she was swimming in Lake Barcroft Sept. 4, around 6 p.m. The beaver has tested positive for the rabies virus, according to a police update issued Sept. 5. “The woman managed to get to shore,” states an earlier … Continued
Cop school: Animal Services
Fairfax County has a pilot program to test the 4-poster system for combating deer ticks that spread Lyme disease. [photo from 21st Century Deer Management.] The work of the Fairfax County Police Department isn’t all about chasing bad guys; sometimes it’s about chasing a rabid raccoon or catching an aggressive dog. That’s because a key … Continued
Film captures contributions of pioneer conservationist
By Elizabeth Kirchner The public is invited to a free screening of “Green Fire,” a documentary about Aldo Leopold, the biologist and writer who raised the nation’s consciousness about environmental conservation. Aldo Leopold The film offers plenty of scenes of windy prairies, handsome forests, and purple mountains, but alos piles of elk carcasses, as it … Continued
Animal advocates urged FXCO Board of Supervisors to end bowhunting program
Opponents of Fairfax County’s use of bowhunting to control the deer population told the Board of Supervisors (BOS) Dec. 6 that archery is ineffective and inhumane. Murry J. Cohen, president of a national organization called In Defense of Animals, said, “Bow hunting is an unacceptable and extremely cruel way to kill deer.” Studies show deer … Continued
Feld, Gross battle over transit, development, and deer
Feld Mason Supervisor candidate David Feld proposed so many new ways to spend money at a debate last night, Penny Gross asked, “are you sure you’re a Republican?” That comment came after Feld proposed building more affordable housing in the county, although he also talked about other costly projects. When asked how he would pay … Continued
Archers killed 31 deer so far along Accotink Stream Valley
Since Fairfax County’s bowhunting program started Sept. 24, 31 deer have been killed by archers in parks along the Accotink Stream Valley, says Kristen Sinclair of the Resource Management Division of the Fairfax County Park Authority. Bowhunting in county parks while people are walking on the trails with their children and dogs is “incredibly safe,” … Continued
Bowhunting to control deer population called ‘inefficient and inhumane’
People concerned about animal welfare are taking a dim view of Fairfax County’s “deer management” program, which includes bowhunting in 19 parks including the Accotink Stream Valley in Annandale. Camelot resident Christina Perez Bass, who does animal rescue, says, “My children and I walk everyday on the Cross County Trail, and I am terrified about … Continued
Park users unaware FXCO is using bowhunters to reduce deer population
Deer on the Cross County Trail in Annandale, Oct. 4 It’s deer hunting season in Fairfax County parks, but most park users don’t seem to know much about it. All but one person the Annandale blogger encountered while on a walk along the Accotink Stream Valley were unaware that the county has authorized a group … Continued
Venomous wildlife can be annoying but won’t kill you
Copperhead We’ve got some dangerous wildlife around Annandale, but not as much as you might think, says Suzanne Holland, director of the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Holland always has local children enthralled when she teaches them about the natural world, and her presentation on venomous snakes and poisonous plants Saturday afternoon was no exception. The … Continued
Snapping turtle babies released to the wild
Janis Jeffers, naturalist and volunteer coordinator at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale, sent us some photos of the baby snapping turtles released at Lake Accotink:
Hidden Oaks naturalists release snapping turtle hatchlings
Naturalists from the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale released a group of snapping turtle hatchlings into Lake Accotink on Friday, Aug. 12. The baby turtles were the first to emerge from a clutch of 35 eggs rescued from a local resident’s flower garden. The next group of turtles will be released into the lake … Continued
Bowhunting in FXCO parks starts in September
If you’re planning an early morning or evening walk in county parks during the next few months, you might want to see if there’s a sign posted warning that bowhunting or another deer management operation is in progress. Bowhunters will be permitted in county parks from the first Saturday in September to the last Saturday in … Continued
Despite development, deer still call Annandale home
These deer were spotted just outside the Fred M. Packard Center close to Annandale Community Park. Have you spotted any wildlife in Annandale? Send us photos.