Game Camera Study

May is always an exciting month on the property as spring wildlife activity reaches its peak. Many species are raising young, nesting activity is well underway, and warmer temperatures bring increased movement throughout the landscape. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) remained the most frequently detected species, and the first fawn of the year was documented during the third week of the month. Interestingly, this timing closely matches previous years, with the first fawn detections typically occurring during weeks 20–22.

Raccoons (Procyon lotor), Virginia Opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) continued to be regularly detected across multiple camera locations. Bobcats (Lynx rufus) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) were also observed throughout the month, indicating continued predator activity across the property.

Several notable captures were recorded during May, including a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) carrying prey and the property’s first-ever Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) documented on the game cameras, an exciting addition to the growing list of species recorded by the camera network. Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were also observed throughout the month.

As vegetation continued to grow and wildlife activity increased, May provided a glimpse into one of the busiest seasons of the year.