As Easement Manager here at the Brandywine Conservancy, one of my responsibilities is to help steward the 36,832 acres (and counting…) of land protected by Conservancy easements.  During our annual monitoring visits to properties covered by conservation easements, I get to visit with the people who live on and care for the land.  In addition to the great people I meet during these visits, I see some pretty cool animals as well!  To give you an idea of the diversity of the lands we help protect, let me share with you just a few of the animals we have come across that call the land their home.

This baby raccoon needed a little help getting back into his nest.  Don’t worry – we took care of him!  Young raccoons often spend their first two months up high in a tree hole.  Raccoons are opportunistic and highly adaptable, which is why they can be found just about everywhere!

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This great horned owl was right at home in the secondary-growth woodland, their habitat of choice.  They also need open land in their range, so the diversity of fields, wetlands, pastures and croplands in our area makes for happy great horned owls.  Join us on Wednesday, October 28th for “Messing Around with Birds (for Fun and Science)!” and meet Scott Weidensaul, the author of The Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean.  Mr. Weidensaul will be talking about his research on birds of prey, hummingbirds, and bird migration.

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Snapping turtles usually hang out in the water, so chances are this wanderer is a female ready to lay eggs.  Less fragmentation by roads and driveways on protected open space makes the journey safer for our local snapping turtles – but if you do see one trying to cross the road, give her a hand.  Remember to place her on the side of the road she was facing.

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Our feathered friends enjoy open space as well!  This Eastern Bluebird was seen in a backyard setting.  They are also common along pastures, agricultural fields, suburban parks and golf courses.  The Eastern Bluebirds stay in the area during the fall and winter months when they eat a variety of fruit, including berries from several species of our native shrubs.

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Of course, no compilation of animals in our region is complete without the white-tailed deer.  Whether you love them or hate them, there is no doubt that they are one of our most iconic native species.  Deer management is an important stewardship issue as uncontrolled deer populations threaten the balance of our native habitats.  You can read more about the impacts of overabundant deer in this Nature Conservancy blog.

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This beautiful Luna Moth was seen on our Waterloo Mills Preserve.  The Luna Moth’s long tails help it avoid becoming a meal for its main predator, the bat.  Bats use echolocation, the location of objects by reflected sound.  The Luna Moth’s tails spin behind them as they fly, producing echoes that resemble wingbeats.  The bats are confused by the extra wingbeats and their attacks are often fumbled.

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Eastern box turtles are terrestrial, but, just like the rest of us, they need water to survive.  Our conservation easements help to protect the freshwater resources in our area, which in turn help to sustain our native species, such as this Eastern Box Turtle.

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I would be remiss to not highlight the important relationship between our native wildflowers and our local pollinators.  This bumblebee is feasting on the nectar of the native Eastern Purple Coneflower.  To read more about the relationship between native plants and pollinators, visit our blog post from August, Supporting Our Pollinators.

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Speaking of pollinators, this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail can be seen here drinking the nectar of the red clover.

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These Tundra Swans were spotted amongst a flock of Canada Geese early this spring.  While the tundra swans breed on tundra lakes, ponds, and pools along the coast, they often winter inland in aquatic habitats such as this shallow pond. 

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This Northern Red Salamander was found at our Laurels Preserve.  Salamanders are what we call an indicator species.  They are very sensitive to stressors such as pollution, deforestation, and stream erosion.   This salamander’s presence shows that we are doing something right and have a healthy stream habitat!

I love my job because I get to help protect our native landscape, which in turn supports the great diversity of native plants and animals that makes our region unique.  The greatest job perk is getting out there and seeing it all first-hand. 

I hope you can find the time to enjoy it as well!  Our Waterloo Mills and Laurels Preserves are open year-round to our members.  Join today and start exploring!