A Guide to Virginia Wildlife Encounters at Love Ridge
From the protected forests and beautiful meadows in our backyard to the trails, lakes, and streams surrounding Love Ridge Mountain Lodging, Virginia’s wildlife is abundant—waiting to be discovered when you hike, birdwatch, fish, paddle, and explore the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Birds, Fish, and Small Mammals – Thriving Nature Around Every Turn
Start by strolling outside your Blue Ridge Parkway Cabin on our scenic wooded property, where you’ll likely see various birds and animals within minutes. Common bird species like blue jays and chickadees are often easy to spot, as are 18 different warblers that make their home along the Shenandoah Valley during the spring and fall migration months. Head out for your family-friendly Virginia summer activities on the water at neighboring Sherando Lake and Lake Monocan, where you’ll see even more birds like green herons and downy woodpeckers (one of several avian species that stay local year-round and don’t migrate south during the winter). Birders will want to have their binoculars handy at all times of day, including after dark, as horned and great barred owls nest, roost, and hunt in the surrounding forests, perfect for combining birdwatching and stargazing in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you fish in the bounty of lakes, rivers, and streams near Love Ridge, you’ll likely catch species like rainbow and brook trout, bass, and catfish, their coloring even more beautiful when seen up close after reeling them in. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot slightly rarer animals like northern river otters and beavers – two of the 50+ mammal species found in and around Shenandoah National Park – adding an extra thrill to your afternoon hike, paddle outing, or day of angling in our pristine high-mountain waters.
White-tailed Deer – A Charming Sight During Every Season
When you’re out adventuring on the miles of trails surrounding Love Ridge – don’t miss doing a portion of the Appalachian Trail, trekking to the waters cascading over 1,200 feet at Crabtree Falls, or hiking the endless routes winding through Shenandoah National Park – you’re bound to see smaller animals like chipmunks and voles. But the real star is the white-tailed deer, a delight to see in their natural habitat. With an estimated population of 1 million in Virginia, these deer are an integral part of the ecosystem – once threatened, but now a “keystone” species and a testament to successful conservation efforts.
When encountering white-tailed deer, it’s crucial to remember that although they are not generally aggressive, always give them plenty of space, especially if a doe is with her fawns. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) also forbids feeding deer, so never try to tempt them closer with food of any kind, which disrupts their natural feeding patterns and leads to a loss of their regular (and healthy) fear of humans. Responsible interaction with Virginia wildlife is critical to their survival and our enjoyment of them.
Watching a deer wander peacefully through Love Ridge or nearby forests is always a pleasant occurrence—equally common in the height of summer or during the winter when the snow-covered landscape makes it even more picturesque. Notice how their coat changes from reddish-brown during the warmer months to grayish-brown in the winter, helping them to camouflage and one of nature’s many wonders on display.
Bears and Cats – A Thrill to Witness in the Wild and Safety Tips
Of all the animals you’ll potentially see near Love Ridge, on one of our top 10 hikes in Virginia the black bear is the most impressive (they can get up to 300 lbs) and potentially the most dangerous. However, taking proper precautions will minimize any such issues. Black bears live in 90 of Virginia’s 92 counties, but their numbers are highest in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with an estimated 500-1,000 making their home within Shenandoah National Park alone. They are most active when coming out of hibernation in the spring and again in the fall when they fatten up for winter – it’s normal for them to spend more than half of their day consuming high-fat acorns. As with deer, it’s vital never to feed them human food, as it can lead to bears scavenging in nearby towns like Staunton. Although seeing a bear on-site at Love Ridge is rare, keeping your barbecue grill and campfire clean of food scraps is best practice.
Stay calm if you encounter a bear while on the trails, and always give it plenty of space to escape – its natural response. In their Shenandoah bear safety guidelines, park rangers recommend allowing at least 150 feet between you and bears while staying together in your group, keeping children close, and making sufficient noise to warn the bear of your presence. Back away slowly (never run, as it triggers their ingrained desire to chase prey) while standing tall and speaking loudly. Likely, the bear will retreat or head up a tree, but if they attack, fight back however you can.
Someone occasionally mentions spotting a mythic mountain lion in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but the Virginia DWR has officially ruled them extinct since the 1880s. These cougar sightings are almost assuredly bobcats, also called lynx, which can grow up to 30-40 lbs and could be easily mistaken for a baby mountain lion from afar. Bobcats are very elusive, so you’ll be lucky to stumble upon one, but they are unmistakable and striking with their pointed ears, spotted fur, and feline grace.
Spotting Raptors Every Autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Along with the more common birds you’ll see at Love Ridge, every fall brings a unique opportunity to join the volunteer-run Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch. Since their first meeting in 1976, avid local birders join forces, binoculars in hand, at an outlook just a 25-minute drive north of our location near where the Blue Ridge Parkway merges with Highway 64. From the 2,000-foot elevation vantage point of the former Inn at Afton, birdwatchers gather for the height of the autumnal migration between August 15th and November 30th, when thousands of impressive raptors (with 3-4 foot wingspan) fly overhead daily, reaching peak numbers in late September. Fifteen raptor species, including seven types of hawks, are among the birds spotted here every fall, a breathtaking annual Virginia wildlife migration in the skies above.
After a couple of hours enjoying the panoramic views and world-class birding, head right next door for a memorable walk through the Blue Ridge Tunnel, where you can hike the former railroad passageway – restored now as an underground, mile-long trail – and spot even more wildlife like eastern long-tailed salamanders and pickerel frogs.
Book your stay with us, where Virginia wildlife flourishes amidst the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Stargazing at Love Ridge is a magical experience that brings you closer to the wonders of the universe. With our stargazing kit and these prime locations, you’re all set for an unforgettable night under the stars. So, pack your gear, prepare to be amazed, and let the Blue Ridge night sky inspire awe. Happy stargazing!