Wildly Close: The Ultimate Autumn Wildlife Guide to Huntley Meadows Park

The gorgeous autumn weather is officially here, making it the perfect time to step outside and explore Huntley Meadows Park, located right in our backyard just minutes from Creekside Village Apartments. If you head down the famous boardwalk trail this week, you can view the stunning wildlife featured in our recent resident photo collage! However, as the seasonal chill sets in, the wildlife mix at the marsh is shifting rapidly. Here is your quick guide to who is packing up and who is staying cozy all winter long.
 
Catch Them Before They Leave (Seasonal Fall Departures)
 
Many of the species captured in our photo collage are gearing up for winter migration or entering brumation (reptilian hibernation):

Ospreys & Wood Ducks: These gorgeous waterfowl are preparing to head south to warmer climates. Catch them diving for fish over the wetlands before they depart.

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Egrets & Great Blue Herons: While a few hardy Herons may linger nearby, the spectacular Great Egrets will soon head to southern coasts.

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Tree Frogs, Snapping Turtles, & Eastern Painted Turtles: As cold weather arrives, these cold-blooded residents dive deep into the marsh mud or hunker under logs to sleep through the winter.

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Dragonflies: These acrobatic flyers dominate the late summer sky but vanish after the first hard frosts.
 
Our Year-Round Neighbors (What to See All Winter)
 
Don't worry—the park never goes completely quiet! You can spot these locals all 12 months of the year:
 

• Barred Owls & Woodpeckers: The dense forest canopy remains home to stunning Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers, alongside vocal Barred Owls.
• White-tailed Deer & Red Foxes: Look along the forest paths early in the morning to spot these mammals foraging through the changing foliage.
• Winter Waterfowl: As summer birds leave, northern ducks like northern pintails, hooded mergansers, and shovelers arrive, turning the marsh into a lively winter haven.

 
Grab your camera, respect the trail boundaries, and enjoy this local sanctuary before the winter shift!