Wildlife Rescue League

One of the most identifiable turtles around Virginia is the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)! These striking reptiles are easily identified by the bright yellow and brown/black pattern on their shells and bodies, which varies from turtle to turtle. These turtles typically have a lifespan of 25-30 years but can sometimes live over 100 years!

As we’ve mentioned before, wildlife is best enjoyed from afar and snakes are no exception. Virginia is home to roughly 30 species of snakes and the vast majority are not dangerous to humans; they play an important role in pest control, which curtails the spread of disease to people and pets and also reduces property damage. However, three Virginia resident species are venomous and it’s important to know which. These are the Copperhead, the Timber Rattlesnake and the Water Moccasin (also known as the Cottonmouth). Each one lives in different terrain, forests, mountains and brackish water, respectively-so no matter where you’re traveling, be aware of your surroundings and don’t mess with wildlife!

In early May, a young opossum was found running down Eva Drive in Port Royal, VA, and brought to rehabber Karen Brace on May 6. The tiny marsupial was all fur and bone when Karen received her, but the most worrisome part - she had no eyes! Gaining her namesake from the street she was found on, Eva has pulled through and now serves as an ambassador for her species. Read Eva's full story on our website here: bit.ly/WRLEva

Tomorrow is World Lizard Day! On August 14, World Lizard Day celebrates these eclectic reptiles and encourages us to learn more about them! Although there are a lot of lizards in Virginia, there are only 9 native species (Eastern Six-lined Race Runner, Common Five-lined Skink, Southeastern Five-lined Skink, Broad-headed Skink, Eastern Fence Lizard, Little Brown Skink, Eastern Glass Lizard, Eastern Slender Glass Lizard, and Northern Coal Skink) and 3 introduced species (Mediterranean Gecko, Italian Wall Lizard, and Green Anole).

Interestingly enough - not all these lizards have legs! The Eastern Glass Lizard and Eastern Slender Glass Lizard are legless. The main difference between legless lizards and snakes are that lizards have small ear holes and their tails make up most of their bodies - whereas snakes have shorter tails.

As the summer stays hot, keep your eyes peeled for these cool critters!

Virginia isn’t home to many lizards, but these colorful creatures are ubiquitous in our state parks! Very noticeable by their beautiful blue tails as juveniles, the common five-lined skinks (Plestiodon fasciatus) are one of only three species of lizard that are commonly found in the commonwealth. One would think their tails would be a liability given how visible they are; however, the tail is meant to attract predators. Juvenile skinks will scurry under leaf litter to avoid predation, leaving only their tail exposed. Once the predator has taken hold of the skink’s tail, it breaks off, and the young skink has an opportunity to scurry away!

Photo credit to Michael Holroyd; Photo from the public domain

Did you know Virginia has a state salamander? Well, if you didn’t, now you do! Back in 2018, Virginia selected the Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) as an emblem of the state. The selection was made based on the red salamander’s widespread distribution throughout the state and its striking colors. Keep an eye out for these guys on your next hike!

Photo credit to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources; Red Salamander photo by Scott Bolick

# salamander

In mid-June, WRL's helpline received a call from Prince William County. Someone had rescued a juvenile crow being attacked by other crows. This wasn't just any young crow - it had white feathers, white beak, and red eyes. A white crow's appearance is the result of a genetic mutation that disrupts the production of melanin, a pigment that gives feathers their typical coloration. True albino crows, which have pink eyes, pale bills and completely white feathers, are estimated to be born once in every 30,000 to 100,000. Catherine Sevcenko with Diva Crows was excited to take this unusual crow to raise and possibly keep as an education animal. She reports that the crow is healthy and doing well.

Read more about the albino crow here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/07/18/white-crow-attacked-virginia-sevcenko/

Continuing our summer exploration on shore birds, on the other end of the height spectrum Virginia is home to the itty bitty piping plovers! These shorebirds blend in really well with the sand on our beaches; it’s not until they’re moving that you can get a good look at these little guys! You’ll also have to look a little higher up the dunes to find them, as they don’t generally spend much time right at the water’s edge. Unfortunately, these masters of disguise are on the endangered species list due to habitat loss, predation and disturbance-so as with all wildlife, enjoy these small bundles of energy from afar!

Wildlife Rescue League - Support Northern Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitators Wildlife Rescue League is a non-profit providing care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the intent of releasing them back into their habitat.

Earlier this week we posted about spotted sandpipers - for an even taller variety of shorebird, look for this distinctive high contrast bird: the black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)! Notable for their height (second only to flamingos!) and unique plumage, they are also very vociferous. When disturbed, these shorebirds emit a very high pitched call that carries for quite a distance! Have you heard or seen them this summer?

Wildlife Rescue League - Support Northern Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitators Wildlife Rescue League is a non-profit providing care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the intent of releasing them back into their habitat.

If you’re out on the Virginia rivers this month, or cruising the Chesapeake, keep an eye on the shore. You might see some long-legged birds running to and fro. Spotted sandpipers (Actitis macularius) frequently forage along our state’s waterways. You can pick them out by their stuttering wingbeats and teetering motions.

Wildlife Rescue League - Support Northern Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitators Wildlife Rescue League is a non-profit providing care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the intent of releasing them back into their habitat.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington called attention to the ability to comment on Arlington County Parks and Recreation's recommendation to establish a sharp shooting program to reduce deer populations. Today is the last day to weigh into this decision.

You can email the County Board your thoughts at [email protected] or attend the next County Board Meeting today, July 22. More information on the meeting can be found here: bit.ly/AWLA722Meeting

In April the Wildlife Rescue League Helpline got a call from Saffa in Falls Church. She had torn down an old shed, and found two vulture nestlings. Billy Rios, a Wildlife Rescue League volunteer who rescues raptors and other wildlife, transported them to Owl Moon Raptor Center to be examined, where they were found to be healthy. However, their home was now gone, along with their parents. Luckily, vultures and other raptors with nestlings already will foster more nestlings. Billy had to find a location with one nestling about the same age, which would leave room for two more. After checking two other sites with no luck, Billy remembered three years ago he had released a red-shouldered hawk near an old shed where vultures were said to nest. The hawk’s finder, Janice, confirmed that the vultures were back, and Billy found a single vulture nestling high up in the shed. From a ladder, he carefully placed the two orphans with the singlet. He also set up a camera and confirmed that the parents were feeding all three babies. Fast forward to late June, and the three are all grown up!

Thank you Billy for your help in making sure these birds got the care they needed to succeed in the wild!

Photos courtesy of Billy Rios and Janice Coleman.

Today is World Snake Day! Although snakes can sometimes get a bad rap, they play a very important role in our ecosystem and are relatively harmless to humans. They maintain biodiversity by serving as both predator and prey - they eat both mammals and reptiles, helping to regulate populations of smaller animals. They also can be eaten by larger predators, such as birds and some mammals. Of course, Virginia is home to some venomous snakes, and although snakes are more scared of you than you are of them, it's best to keep your distance from any snake to reduce the chance of being bit by one.

Virginia is home to a variety of snakes, including the Dekay's brown snakes (Storeria dekayi).These small snakes are identifiable by their brown coloring, with black spots mirrored down the length of their bodies. These non-venomous snakes mostly eat small insects, and are known for being very secretive so they're not spotted very often. They are the only snake in North America where both their generic and specific name honor people. In this case, their specific name "dekayi" honors zoologist James DeKay, and their generic name "Store" honors zoologist David Humpreheys Storer.

If you do see a brown snake or any other snake - remember to admire from a distance. If it does appear obviously injured, please call our Helpline for more information on how you can help at (703) 440-0800.

Osprey, also known as fish hawks, are another species you’ll likely encounter during your forays to lakes and rivers this summer. Osprey are uniquely well adapted to fishing, sporting long legs with specialized barbs on their feet, hooked talons and a reversible outer toe that allow them to easily grasp fish. With their oily waterproof wings, ability to close their nostrils as they plunge into the water, and strong wings bent at the wrist-they are especially adept hunters, successfully catching a meal on at least a quarter of all their dives. Keep an eye out for these awe-inspiring birds this summer!

Wildlife Rescue League - Support Northern Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitators Wildlife Rescue League is a non-profit providing care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the intent of releasing them back into their habitat.

Seeing a bird struggling on the ground is always a cause for concern right? Actually, in most cases you are probably seeing a fledgling in its final stages before becoming a fully independent adult bird. It is common to see fledglings in Virginia in the spring and summer, and they can be identified by a short tail on a fully feathered body. If the bird appears healthy and energetic and hops away when you approach it, leave it alone. The parents are generally flying overhead and may even attack you as you approach their baby. Keep pets out of the area for a few days to allow the bird to learn how to fly and get off the ground. Birds at this age do not do well in rehabilitation, so please allow every chance for their parents to care for them.

If the bird appears injured, give our Helpline a call at 703 440-0800 to see if it does need help!

Wildlife Rescue League - Support Northern Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitators Wildlife Rescue League is a non-profit providing care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the intent of releasing them back into their habitat.

Following the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were tasked with designing the official seal for the new nation. Unfortunately, the three Founding Fathers and two later committees failed to gain the approval of Congress for their designs. In 1782, Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress at the time, reviewed the work of all three committees. He ultimately chose what he thought were the best elements of the various designs, including the eagle—which had been recommended by William Barton, an artistic Pennsylvania lawyer. However, where Barton’s original design featured a small, white Eagle, Thomson replaced it with an American Bald Eagle. With that, Congress had finally found the design! After it was approved, the American Bald Eagle went on to appear on important documents, currency, flags, architecture and more becoming emblematic of American life, virtues and aspirations!

As the summer stays hot, we might be seeking time down by the water to stay cool. And that's the perfect place to see some of the unique bird species in our area - like the Belted Kingfisher! The name Kingfisher derives from a Greek myth - their species name, alcyon, was the name of the daughter of Ae**us, the god of the wind. Alcyone and her husband died at the hands of Zeus after angering him by comparing themselves to Zeus and Hera. Other gods compassionately chose to turn them into halcyon birds, otherwise known as Kingfishers. The term "halcyon days" has come to mean a time of peace or happiness.

Kingfishers can be identified by their large heads and blue and white coloring, and are found in all types of waterways throughout North America. They mostly live off of fish, and sit high above the water waiting to spot their prey and strike. Kingfishers will breed once a year between April and July, and their young will hatch within a month. Kingfishers are one of the few birds where the females are more brightly colored than males, with a bright orange band that goes across their stomachs.

Did you know Wildlife Rescue League has a YouTube channel? Visit our page to find educational videos, rehabilitation interviews, release information - and more! bit.ly/WRLYouTube

Last week was National Pollinator Week, which was established to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of pollinators. Pollinators help carry pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part of the flower (stigma) and include: bees, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, and more! These critters are an essential part of our ecosystem, contributing to food supplies, keeping our air clean, and helping wildlife thrive. Next time you stop to smell the roses - thank the pollinators!

Yesterday was the first day of summer! Summer brings ample opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitats as the days are longer and the weather is warmer! But as the temperatures continue to rise, local wildlife also has to find ways to say safe and cool this season. Some ways you can help support them are to provide clean drinking sources, like bird-baths for critter visits to your yard. And keeping shady sources of foliage for animals, like shrubs and trees in garden spaces, provides a cool refuge for smaller animals. The most important thing you can do for wildlife this summer is to watch and not interfere! Unless an animal obviously looks like it needs help, keep your distance and observe with respect. If an animal does look sick or injured, call our helpline at 703-440-0800 to see if it needs help!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day this past Sunday. Although it's usually considered the mother's job to child rear in the animal kingdom, nature has its fair share of rockstar dad animals! One of those examples is the red fox. While mom stays in the den caring for the kits, dad diligently hunts for the whole family. Father foxes have also been known to play with their young, and when it comes time to teach them survival skills, dad teaches them how to hunt and forage for food.

June is Great Outdoors Month - a month-long celebration of outdoor recreation and America’s outdoor spaces! And what better way to celebrate than getting outside and observing wildlife in their natural habitats? Virginia is home to a ton of great parks, such as Huntley Meadows Park, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, Great Falls Park, Pohick Bay Regional Park, Auburn Naturalist Society Rust Sanctuary, Theodore Roosevelt Island and more! Take your pick and get outside this month!

On May 31, a caller from Fairfax County called the Wildlife Rescue League Helpline about a fledgling green heron that had fallen from the nest and was injured. Long-time helpline volunteer, Jane, referred the caller to WRL's partner vet, VCA Alexandria. VCA staff Amy and Chris gently handled the tiny heron to get several pictures of the leg for wildlife vet Dr. Belinda Burwell. Luckily, the break was mid-leg and could be fixed. WRL transporter Brian, made the long drive from VCA to Dr. Burwell, who bandaged the leg and will keep the heron well fed until it can be released. See before and after pictures below. Thank you to our wonderful volunteer team, partner vets, and rehabilitators for helping to save wildlife like this bird!

Calling all crafty individuals! Wildlife Rescue League needs your help! Rehabilitators are always in need of knitted and sewn items to help wildlife on their way to release. Items like knitted and crocheted nests, hammocks, pouches and snuggle sacks, and more help keep wildlife warm and safe. Your donations make a difference! To learn more, visit: bit.ly/WRLCraft

As the school year comes to a close and kids pack up for the summer season, what better time than now to provide them with some wildlife-focused educational activities? Visit our website to find crafts, puzzles, and habitat construction projects that not only provide fun but help teach kids about wildlife in our local communities! Visit: bit.ly/WRLKids to learn more!

Help end wildlife killing contests on public lands! Project Coyote has introduced a petition calling for an end to wildlife killing contests. Sign today to support this initiative and create an environment with a compassionate approach to coexistence with wildlife. Learn more: bit.ly/WRLCoyote

Are you signed up for our Nutley News? Nutley News is Wildlife Rescue League's monthly e-mail newsletter that informs readers of WRL updates, upcoming events, wildlife-related tips and articles, and more! Sign up today on our website: wildliferescueleague.org

Wildlife Rescue League wants to take a moment to remember and honor the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform, and the loved ones they leave behind. Without you, we would not be free to do what we do. Thank you.

March 23 is World Turtle Day! How can we help turtles today and everyday? Check out these tips from rehabilitator Beth Axelrod on how you can help our local turtles thrive, and see some of the turtles that she’s rehabilitated!

It may be tempting to feed wildlife, but it can cause widespread issues for nutrition, behavior, and safety. Read more about the dangers of feeding wildlife in this article on our website! bit.ly/WRLDontFeedWildlife