By Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
If you are one of over two hundred Adopt-a-Trail (AAT) Volunteers, we at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources want to reach out and extend a very sincere THANK YOU! This past year has been a doozy for all of us as DWR launched a major overhaul to the AAT project. We are so appreciative of all of our amazing volunteers for their patience throughout this transition and their dedication to help ensure that the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail remains a top guide to the wildlife viewing opportunities in Virginia.
Check out some of the amazing observations that volunteers have made during their visits to Bird and Wildlife Trail Sites in 2022. And if you want to learn more about the Adopt-a-Trail project and how you can participate, check out our project page on the VMN website.
The sun rises on Hungry Mother Lake State Park (Clinch Mountain Loop). Photographer: Tanya Hall, Holston River Chapter.
A Semi-palmated Plover forages on the beach at Grandview Nature Preserve (Lower Peninsula Loop). Photographer: Nancy Barnhart, Historic Rivers Chapter.
A Mottled Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta insequalis) observed at Ivy Creek Natural Area (Monticello and Rivanna Loop). Photographer: TD Weber, Rivanna Chapter.
Breathtaking views of Little Stony Creek’s aptly named Cascades waterfall (Eastern Continental Divide Loop). Photographer: Robert Devereaux, New River Valley Chapter.
A Common Yellowthroat poses for its close up at Ware House Boat Landing (Gloucester Loop). Photographer: Susan Crockett, Middle Peninsula Chapter.
Pink Azalea, a native wildflower commonly found in bottomland forests, blooms at the Fredericksburg Battlefield (Fredericksburg Loop). Photographer: Penny Firth, Central Rappahannock Chapter.
