Last week, Ranger Emily and our Land Stewardship team conducted a stream monitoring survey on Lenah Run, a tributary that flows through Willowsford into Broad Run, which eventually feeds into the Potomac River. Emily, who is certified as a stream monitor through Loudoun Wildlife, guided the team through the process ...
The Farm Team recently made an exciting announcement: we’ve been raising chicks to replace our aging flock of laying hens! This process is different from our usual flock transition and has provided an excellent opportunity for members of the team to learn new animal husbandry skills. In the past, we ...
The wood duck is (Aix sponsa) is one of the most beautiful of American waterfowl with males boasting an iridescent mix of greens, blacks, whites, and chestnut browns. Contrary to mallards which nest on the ground around lake margins, wood ducks build their nests in tree cavities high off the ...
Do you enjoy stargazing from your backyard or a Willowsford camp site, such as Grant Family Campground or the Hidden Meadow? Discovering the night can be as simple as stepping off your porch with your outdoor (and indoor!) lights turned off. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and if ...
With our recent warm February weather, almost 60 degrees, the garlic has popped tiny sprouts out in the field. This is the beginning of the season-long process that gives us a multitude of opportunities to harvest and use the garlic as it grows. If you joined us for our ...
When it snows, we are given a wonderful glimpse into the paths and activities of the animals that visit our backyards, trails, and Open Space. Animal tracks are perfectly captured in the fresh snow cover. Most animals tend to stay put during blizzards and many hibernate (learn more in our ...
As long as you prepare, hiking in the winter can be an excellent opportunity for fun! The outdoors in the winter months offers unique and beautiful scenery that you can only experience while cold hiking. When cooler temperatures begin, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy nature – we'll show you how ...
Spotted Lanternflies As many of you have been noticing, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been increasing in numbers here at Willowsford. Also known as SLF, the spotted lanternfly is native to China and parts of Vietnam where its populations are kept under control since it is eaten by ...
Bird populations have been decreasing across the globe for the past 50 years. Bluebird populations in particular experienced a dramatic decrease in population size in the early 20th century, reaching a 90% population decrease at one point. Largely due to habitat loss and introduction of aggressive species that outcompeted bluebirds ...
Invasive species are defined as any non native organisms that are introduced to an area and begin to spread beyond the original site of introduction. This could include animals, plants, parasites, or even diseases. Invasive plant species typically share many of the ...
Emily, one of our Rangers, helping a baby cottontail in one of our work areas. As spring transitions into summer, wildlife across our region are busy raising their young. It's common during this time to encounter seemingly orphaned or injured animals. However, wildlife parenting is very different ...
Tucked away in a serene setting in the southern section of The Greens, Cedar Pond Pavilion was envisioned by the founders of Willowsford as a place for education, recreation, and contemplation. Over the years, it has been used as a venue for birthday parties, nature classes, scout sleepovers, and the ...