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As the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for people today and future generations, we at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service don’t play around when it comes to our furry, feathered and finned friends’ comfort. Though we’d like to learn as much about wild animals as possible, up close and personal observation may disrupt feeding, breeding and nesting behaviors.
But trail cameras help bridge that distance. They allow us to capture interesting images and videos of wildlife without influencing their natural behaviors.
Animals trigger candid snaps and videos when they approach remote-action trail cameras. The resulting images don’t just entertain; they also inform science and management actions at national wildlife refuges.
This National Wildlife Week, we’re keeping an eye on the wild. Here are just a few examples of the wonderful wildlife caught on trail cameras throughout the Northeast region.
Great blue heron at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Did you know great blue herons are the largest heron native to North America? Their preferred cuisine is fish, but they also feed on a variety of wetland species, such as frogs, snakes and salamanders. While great blue herons have massive wingspans that can exceed 6 feet, on average they weigh only around 5 or 6 pounds — thanks to their hollow bones! They are often found in saltwater and freshwater habitats, but they also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields.
Bobcat at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Bobcats are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forest, shrubland and farmland. If enough food is available, they can sometimes even inhabit suburban areas like parks and backyards. The wild feline is about twice as big as a house cat and a lot faster. It can run at speeds up to 25 to 30 miles an hour and is a skilled swimmer. While we may not glimpse these stealthy creatures very often, they are the most abundant wild cat in North America.
Fisher at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
The fisher is a small member of the mustelid family which inhabits most of the boreal forest throughout the northern United States and Canada. Often called fisher cats, they are actually not cats and do not catch fish. However, these little predators are skilled hunters, favoring prey like porcupines and snowshoe hares. They also feed on insects, nuts, berries and mushrooms. They are usually elusive and solitary, getting together only to mate.
Coyote at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Coyotes are rarely seen creatures and instinctually avoid humans, but it's most common to see these elusive pups in the spring when the young leave their dens. Coyotes are intelligent and form strong family groups, sometimes even hunting together for better success. They are the most vocal wild mammals in North America, with researchers discovering 11 different vocalizations.
Black bears at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Splish splash, these refuge bears were taking a bath ... right in front of a wildlife trail camera at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia! This is one of the refuge's many ditches that offer a refreshing dip for wildlife on hot summer days. Black bears are resourceful omnivores that eat meat, berries, insects, nuts, seeds, plant roots and pretty much whatever other food they find. Their short claws make them expert tree climbers, a useful skill in the forest they typically inhabit. These big bears have a very good sense of smell and can often be seen standing on their hind legs, sniffing scents!
Great horned owl at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Great horned owls are opportunistic nesters, usually using abandoned nests from other birds, like hawks, crows and herons, but sometimes nesting in tree cavities or on the ground. After a pair has laid eggs in the wintertime, they will defend their nest from predators with loud calls, pecking and dive bombing. Great horned owls have large eyes and pupils that open widely in the dark and contain many rod cells for night vision. Their offset ears and facial feathers allow them to pinpoint their prey using sound alone, making them excellent hunters! (And those “horns”? They’re just feather tufts.)
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