Game Camera Study

July was an eventful month at Carolina Wildlands Foundation, with our game cameras capturing an exciting array of wildlife activity across the property. As in previous months, our most frequently spotted species was the ever-popular White-tailed Deer. We recorded over 250 sightings of does alone, indicating a thriving and healthy population. Even more exciting, many of these photo sequences included fawns, now growing rapidly and beginning to explore their surroundings more independently, though still staying close to their mothers for safety and guidance. Paintjob was seen with her twin fawns joining her on her adventures! They seem to be growing and doing well.

In addition to the deer, Northern Raccoons were also quite active throughout July. One particularly exciting sequence of photos showed a mother raccoon leading her playful kits along one of the trails. We also had a few special appearances from the elusive and charismatic Fox Squirrel. One camera captured a rare moment of two individuals foraging together, which is an uncommon sight for this typically solitary species.

As for avian visitors, our cameras showed a diverse range of bird species this month. Notably, a group of Wild Turkeys were seen multiple times, including one large brood with 10 or more poults following behind. Other notable sightings included Northern Bobwhites, scavenging Vultures, and even a Great Horned Owl, likely out on a late-night hunt.

Overall, July brought us a rich variety of wildlife activity, showcasing the diversity of the ecosystems we work so hard to protect. We’re looking forward to what August will bring!