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Virginia State Parks
Virginia Department Of Conservation And Recreation

Learn about Wildlife

Wildlife

Virginia offers a vast selection of animal species, from marine invertebrates to powerful raptor birds.

Topic Articles

The Copperhead

The Northern Copperhead is one of three venomous snakes in Virginia (the others being the Canebrake and the Cottonmouth).

Honeybee on Summersweet

This is a picture of a honeybee on a Summersweet bush (Clethra alnifolia).  You can find these bushes along woodland creeks, wet forests, bogs, wetlands, and pine flatwoods.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

I was at York River State Park strolling along the river and snapped this photo of a Grass Spider, also known as a Funnel Weaver.

Wilderness Road Hosting Junior Rangers!

Calling all children ages 10-12 for a week of fun, educational and entertaining activities as part of Wilderness Road State Park’s annual Junior Rangers program set for Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23 from 9 am- 12 noon daily.

Richmond's Peregrine Falcons Get Bands

On June 1st VDGIF biologists attached leg bands to three falcon chicks nesting on a high-rise in downtown Richmond, VA.

The Timber Rattlesnake

Snakes seem to get a bad rap for one reason or another.  Personally, I am a great admirer of snakes.  Sure, some could be dangerous when provoked, but that could be said about most wildlife.

Moose Goes Camping at Bear Creek Lake State Park

First let me introduce myself, Moose here, a basset hound born & bred in Cumberland County who moved to the big city of Richmond to reign over the West family.

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 3)

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 2)

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!

Snakeheads in Virginia

Snakehead fish in Virginia.

Virginia's Endangered Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat

Join Department biologist J.D. Kleopfer on a survey of the state endangered Rafinesque's big-eared bat.

Bald Eagle Release

A healthy and feisty Bald Eagle is released on April 13th by Ed Clark, President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Living With Black Bears in Virginia

Black bears are becoming an increasingly common sight in Virginia—bears now live in almost every county!

Banding and Transmitter-Fitting of Bald Eagles

On May 5th DGIF Nongame and Watchable Wildlife along with Agency Outreach staff were at the Norfolk Botanical Garden for the banding and transmitter fitting of nestling bald eagles by researchers at the Center for Conservation Biology.

Backyard Birds Program Flies Into Wilderness Road

Wilderness Road State Park will host a special birding program on Saturday, June 5 at 1 pm, entitled Backyard Birds.

Wildflower Hike and Slide Show at Holliday Lake State Park

Want to do something fun and unique for your mom for Mother's Day? Bring her to Holliday Lake State Park on Saturday, May 8, for our 11:00 am Wildflower Hike.

May Programs at Mason Neck State Park

As the weather warms up, there are lots of things to do here at Mason Neck State Park.

Early wildflowers and a surprise sighting at Mason Neck State Park

After writing this morning's post about rain showers bringing spring wild flowers to Mason Neck State Park, I couldn't resist going to look for early flowers myself.

Wildlife Watching Tips for Beginners

Spring weather is finally here at Mason Neck State Park, and with warmer days we see not only more park visitors but more park wildlife.  We also see many visitors exploring nature for the first time.

Wily Coyote Spotted at False Cape

A few weeks ago, False Cape Park Manager Kyle Barbour snapped this beautiful picture of an elusive coyote that has been living in the park.

Helping Wildlife

I started working for Virginia State Parks in 1986 and in a long career have had the chance to get up close with wildlife and working on enhancing it.

Your Camera - Don't Leave Home Without It

The old American Express slogan "Don't Leave Home Without it" came to mind today when my husband called with the news.

Essential Equipment for Visiting Mason Neck State Park

Making your visit to Mason Neck State Park the most enjoyable it can be is as easy as having the right equipment. 

One of my favorite hikes!

Spring has to be close now and as soon as we start having a few days in the 60's and 70's there will be a rush to get out to our great Virginia State Parks.

The Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus

As Winter sets in I can’t help but reflect how quickly Fall passed. As with each season there are always regrets and always delights to be tucked away.

February is For the Birds

Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month? If you are interested in backyard habitat, this is a great month to assess your own property to determine how well you are feeding our feathered friends.

Egret Rookery in Back Bay at False Cape State Park

The Great White Egret is the symbol of the National Audobon Society and represents the regal beauty of all bird species.

The Owl in the Osprey Nest

False Cape State Park offers some of the most unique landscape and wildlife viewing opportunities in Virginia.

Virginia Snakes – The Eastern Cottonmouth

There are three poisonous snakes that can be found in Virginia, and I am starting off this series with my favorite one.

Make a Snow Day Special

How to make a Snow Day Special by having fun outdoors.

Rare Encounter with a Northern Parula

Only when I peaked behind my garden wagon did I find the most beautiful bird I’d seen in years, a Northern Parula (Parula Americana).

Fall at Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a great destination year round and First Landing State Park makes an excellent base for visiting that resort city and the surrounding cities.

Autumn Nature at Mason Neck State Park

Autumn is a great time to explore nature in Mason Neck State Park.

Wildlife Center of Virginia

MSNBC Profiles the Wildlife Center of Virginia. This video from MSNBC features the National Wildlife Federation's Doug Inkley:

Managing Land in the Piedmont of Virginia for Birds and Wildlife

Often overlooked in its importance to birds, the Piedmont provides valuable nesting, migration, and wintering habitats that are scarce in other parts of the state.

Take a Fall Morning Bird Walk on the Birding and Wildlife Trail

Take a Fall Bird Walk to Celebrate the Fifth Birthday of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

The Monarch Butterfly

Butterfly found in Virginia State Parks

Sea Turtles of Virginia

Five of the seven sea turtles in the world spend time off Virginia's Atlantic coast.

Bird Beaks

The shape of a birds beak helps predict what they eat.

Thar She Blows!

Several species of whales make seasonal migrations up the Virginia coast.

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

Mathews County, Rebecca Grow

A Look Outside: Reptiles & Amphibians (Part 1)

Interested in Virginia's reptiles and amphibians? This fun new "A Look Outside" series of videos tracks a group of cub scouts as they learn about spotted salamanders, canebrake rattlesnakes, wood turtles and more!

Be Wild Featuring Adrienne Young

A video about the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan, recently developed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with the goal of conserving wildlife before they become more rare.
 

 

 

 

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