Close Encounters: Flicker spotted feeding her young in a nestA flicker, Canada goose, greater yellowlegs and a falcon were spotted in Hampton Roads. May 29, 2023
Ghent gardeners carrying on legacy of historic Norfolk horticulture building’s namesakeThe Huette Center was very active in the 80s and 90s, with classes and lectures on horticulture, herb sales and more. Now, a Ghent couple is looking to restore this community hub and, with enough elbow grease, put it on a path to long-term sustainability. May 28, 2023
Despite recent shark attacks, experts say they are rare, and it’s safe to swim at the beachRecent shark bites in Florida and Hawaii and a suspected case in New Jersey have piqued interest in the age-old summer question of whether it’s safe to go in the water. Scientists and researchers who study sharks said the overwhelming answer to that question is yes, it is safe. May 24, 2023
These dense, beautiful forests offer glimpse into the other side of the Outer BanksWhen people think of the Outer Banks, warm sunshine, cool ocean waves and soft sand come to mind. But there is so much more to the story than a thin strip of beach along the Atlantic Ocean. May 22, 2023
Close Encounters: Bald eagle spotted at Virginia Beach golf courseA bald eagle, ospreys, a spotted sandpiper and geese goslings were spotted in Hampton Roads. May 22, 2023
As North American bird counts decline, can we turn this around? A new book offers hope.Two birders in Raleigh, alarmed at the famous 3 Billion Birds report — which documented the plummeting bird population in the U.S. and Canada — set out to help. What was needed, they said, was a book on what might be done to reverse the losses before more species became extinct or the continent’s entire bird population crashed beyond recovery. May 20, 2023
Hundreds gather on the Outer Banks to watch 6 rehabilitated sea turtles return to the oceanAgainst the backdrop of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, hundreds turned out Tuesday morning to cheer six rehabilitated sea turtles as they returned to their ocean homes. It was the Outer Banks first public turtle release since the coronavirus pandemic. May 17, 2023
Photos: Turtles released in BuxtonSix rehabilitated sea turtles were released back into the ocean on May 16, 2023 in Buxton, North Carolina. The sea turtles recovered at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. May 17, 2023
Dead whale washes up on beach in Kitty HawkA decomposed whale washed up in Kitty Hawk on Monday, the third whale death on the Outer Banks in the past five months. May 15, 2023
Close Encounters: Brown pelican makes a splash in Virginia BeachBald eagles, a female osprey, great blue herons and great egrets were spotted in Hampton Roads. May 15, 2023
‘The Duck Whisperer’: Virginia Beach officer rescues wayward ducklings from storm drain Some of the passersby had tried to coax the ducklings out with a stick and a bucket — to no avail. Officer Isaac Ankrom, 27, called Animal Control but was put on hold. So he decided to go into the tunnel himself. May 14, 2023
First sea turtle nest of the season discovered on the Outer BanksJust in time for Mother’s Day, rangers at Cape Hatteras National Seashore found the first sea turtle nest of the season Friday morning on Ocracoke Island. May 13, 2023
Current efforts are not enough in Chesapeake Bay cleanup, report says. New thinking is required.The report, released May 9, says that there has been some improvement since the original Chesapeake Bay Agreement was made decades ago. May 13, 2023
Tiny bats waking up from hibernation signal a ‘glimmer of hope’ after fungus decimates species Scientists studying bat species that have been hit hard by the fungus that causes white nose syndrome say there is a glimmer of good news against the disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife says the population of New England's largest bat colony shows signs of more bats being able to tolerate the disease. May 12, 2023
5 of the world’s most endangered wolf pups born at refuge near the Outer BanksIn addition to the birth of five red wolf pups, two breeding pairs of red wolves were introduced at Alligator River wildlife refuge as part of the ongoing recovery program for the endangered species. May 12, 2023
Home is where the shell is: Backyard sanctuary gives turtles, tortoises a safe place to thriveA James City County woman, Breeanna Ebert, raises and cares for tortoises and turtles. May 10, 2023
Close Encounters: Bald eagles spotted in Surry CountyBald eagles, a female osprey, great blue herons and great egrets were spotted in Hampton Roads. May 08, 2023
Close Encounters: Bald eagle visits golf course in Virginia BeachA bald eagle, a great blue heron and yellow-crowned night herons were spotted in Hampton Roads. May 01, 2023
Chesapeake man charged with killing neighbor’s pet duck gets bond after nearly a week in jailGregory Montie, 40, spent nearly a week in jail before being granted bond. Prosecutors allege Montie fired multiple shots into a chicken coop in his neighbor's backyard that housed a pet duck named Libby. April 25, 2023
Virginia man pleads guilty in turtle trafficking caseVirginia wildlife-protection laws makes it illegal to take any turtle species from the wild and sell them, and a federal law makes it a federal crime to violate state wildlife laws. April 25, 2023
Close Encounters: Ospreys spotted while building their nest in Virginia BeachOspreys, a common loon and a cormorant were spotted in Hampton Roads. April 24, 2023
Chesapeake man accused of shooting his neighbor’s pet duck was ordered held without bondGregory Montie is accused of shooting and killing a pet duck named Libby that belonged to his next door neighbor. He was arrested Wednesday and a SWAT team executed a search warrant at his home, seizing multiple firearms. April 23, 2023
2 great white sharks tagged off the Outer Banks in effort to track migrationOcearch, a nonprofit group doing research on large marine animals including sharks, arrived off the Outer Banks April 17 for “Expedition Northbound,” a mission to track great white migration. The trip continues through May 4. April 22, 2023
Close Encounters: Heermann’s gull spotted in Virginia BeachA Heermann’s gull, ospreys and a brown pelican were spotted in Hampton Roads. April 17, 2023
Wild horse along North Carolina coast dies while being moved to new locationA 6-year-old wild stallion in the Shackleford Banks herd died Wednesday during an attempt to transfer him to the Rachel Carson Preserve. April 14, 2023
Too many eagles? Smaller broods point to no more vacancy in Chesapeake Bay regionEagles seem to be running out of room in the Chesapeake Bay region, says a researcher at William & Mary. April 12, 2023
North Carolina wants you to report wild armadillo sightingsThe N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public to report any sightings of nine-banded armadillos within the state. April 11, 2023
Black bear crashes Easter egg hunt, eats candy“Black bears should never be fed — either intentionally or unintentionally,” said Jenny Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division Director. April 11, 2023
Dolphin stuck in Suffolk’s Bennett’s Creek has officially leftAccording to an update from Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Fire Boat 1 and the Virginia Aquarium’s Stranding Response team have confirmed the dolphin has “moved on.” April 11, 2023
Close Encounters: Bald eagles spotted in Kempsville area of Virginia BeachBald eagles, ospreys, a great egret and blue herons were spotted in Hampton Roads. April 10, 2023