Helping Our Wild Neighbors Safely Navigate This Season

By Laura Gilmore

Crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and shorter days signal a change of season; not just for us, but for the wildlife sharing our neighborhoods and forests. Black bears are feeding heavily in preparation for winter, white-tailed deer have entered breeding season, and migratory birds are passing through Northern Virginia on journeys that may span thousands of miles. Meanwhile, squirrels are gathering nuts, and insects and other small animals are seeking sheltered places to survive the colder months.

These seasonal changes can bring wildlife closer to our homes, roads, and businesses. In Northern Virginia, where neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas often intersect, understanding these seasonal behaviors can help us avoid conflicts and protect the wildlife around us.

Fortunately, coexistence often starts with a few simple choices. This fall, let’s explore how we can help our wild neighbors thrive while keeping our families, pets, and communities safer too.

Large and Hungry Neighbors

While black bears are not often seen in suburbs closer to D.C., they do live in the outer suburbs and elsewhere in Virginia. For black bears, fall is the season of intense feeding called hyperphagia, during which they build fat reserves before winter denning. Acorns, nuts, berries, and other natural foods can be important sources of energy. Depending on food availability and weather, bears in Virginia may enter their dens any time from October through January.

Fall is a beautiful time for recreating outdoors, but it also raises the risk for wildlife encounters. Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) are popular daytrip or overnight getaway destinations for hikers and backpackers as temperatures start to cool and foliage begins to turn. However, during the last weekend of September, Shenandoah National Park posted a closure notice for backcountry camping on the A.T. from Lewis Mountain Campground (northbound mile 918.7) to Big Meadows (northbound mile 927.5) out of an abundance of caution where there was evidence of wildlife in an area in which human remains had been found. Also, hikers apparently encountered aggressive bear activity in the area.

Although this is a scary incident, it is crucial to remember that such behavior is not the norm, but rather may suggest that a bear has become food-conditioned and lost its natural fear of people. You can protect yourself, other hikers, and wildlife on the A.T. and other hiking and camping areas by doing the following:

• Educate yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for these areas.
• Exercise caution in locations with frequent bear activity.
• Properly store all food, trash, and scented items at night. In the Shenandoah National Park, this means placing these items in the provided bear boxes/on the provided bear poles, in a hard-sided bear canister, or hanging them from a tree at least 12 feet above the ground and 6 feet away from the trunk and branches.
  • Never sleep with your food or trash.
  • Keep a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
  • Pack out all trash and food waste.
• Never leave unsecured food unattended, even for a moment.

As noted above, black bears may also occasionally wander through Northern Virginia residential areas and neighborhoods. This typically occurs during the spring and summer as young males leave their mothers or search for new territory and food. However, black bears can also pass through in the fall as they search for food and bird feeders, garbage, outdoor pet food, compost piles, fruit trees and berry-producing shrubs can all draw a hungry bear toward a house by offering an easy alternative to natural foods. On October 22, a black bear was spotted wandering through neighborhoods and digging through trash cans in the Sequoia Farms and Bell Pond Farm neighborhoods in Centreville, Virginia. Unfortunately, bears that repeatedly find food around homes may learn to associate residential areas with a reliable meal, increasing the potential for property damage and dangerous encounters.

How can we help keep bears wild? Become “BearWise!”

• Remove bird feeders if alerted that bears are active in your area and clean up spilled seed.
• Secure garbage in a garage, shed, or bear-resistant container, and put it out on collection day rather than the night before.
• Feed pets indoors or bring food bowls inside after use.
• Talk with neighbors about removing attractants throughout the neighborhood.

A bear passing through your yard or crossing the same trail likely isn’t looking for trouble. By eliminating easy food sources and giving bears space, we can help them continue their natural behaviors without becoming dependent on human-provided food and facing habituation with people. Removal is often treated as a last resort, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, not local police, is the agency responsible for deciding how to resolve conflicts between people and bears. Bear sightings in neighborhoods should be reported to the Wildlife Conflict Helpline at (855) 571-9003.

More Animals on the Move

Bears are not the only species on the move in the fall. Fall is breeding season for white-tailed deer, a period known as the rut. During this time, bucks become more active as they search for mates and compete with other males. You may notice deer moving through neighborhoods, crossing roads, or appearing at unusual times and places.

Although deer generally avoid people, they are powerful wild animals that deserve plenty of space. Adult white-tailed deer can weigh up to 400 pounds, and bucks can use their antlers to injure people or other animals if they feel challenged or threatened. Even does may become more aggressive during this period. Never approach, corner, feed, or attempt to pet a deer, even one that appears calm. A deer that feels trapped or threatened may react unpredictably.

Fall is also an important time for road safety. Deer-vehicle collisions occur throughout the year, but about half to two-thirds of all accidents occur during October, November, and December (the peak of the rut). A deer crossing the road may be followed by several others, so don’t assume the road is clear after the first animal passes.

What can we do?

• Give deer space. Observe from a distance and never approach or attempt to handle a deer. Keep dogs leashed and away from deer, especially bucks with antlers. Additionally, if you see a lone fawn or juvenile, do not assume it is abandoned or the mother is dead. It is more likely that she has gone off to nourish herself so she can feed them. Newborn deer are nearly unscented (odorless) for protection against predators and it is natural for a baby deer to appear abandoned.
• Drive cautiously. Slow down near wooded areas, parks, and known deer-crossing locations, particularly around dawn and dusk when deer are most active.
• Watch for more deer. If one crosses the road, expect others to follow. Scan the roadside and slow down until you’re confident the way is clear.
• Avoid feeding deer. Feeding can encourage deer to congregate near homes and roads, increasing the likelihood of conflicts and vehicle collisions.
• Protect your garden thoughtfully. Deer-resistant native plants, fencing where appropriate, and other humane deterrents can help reduce browsing without harming wildlife.
• Support science-based deer population management. In areas where deer populations exceed what the landscape can sustainably support, municipalities may use management programs to reduce deer numbers, help limit vehicle collisions, and protect native vegetation on which deer feed. With large predators such as wolves no longer present in our region, well-planned, locally appropriate management can play an important role in balancing the needs of people, deer, and the broader ecosystem—such as the next generation of trees that deer may otherwise consume.

By giving deer room to move and staying alert on the road, we can reduce the risk of injury to people and wildlife alike.

Our local avian neighbors and visiting species are just as busy as mammals this season. Ask any birder, and you will likely hear that fall is one of the most exciting times for birdwatching in Northern Virginia. Songbirds and other migrants travel through our region on their way to wintering grounds, with many making their journeys at night.

Unfortunately, artificial lighting can disorient migrating birds. Windows can appear to be open sky or reflect nearby trees and vegetation. Birds may strike glass before they recognize it as a barrier, often with fatal consequences. A staggering estimate suggests that one to two BILLION birds die each year following window collisions in the United States. Other birds fly around the lights, exhausting themselves. Even if the birds escape the lights and fly on, they have squandered the energy needed to make their demanding journeys, making it less likely that they will reach their intended destinations.

Yet we can make our homes and workplaces safer for birds with a few simple changes:

• Turn off unnecessary lights at night. Pay particular attention to decorative lighting, outdoor floodlights, and illuminated rooms during migration.
• Close blinds or curtains. This can reduce light escaping through windows after dark.
• Make glass visible to birds. Install effective bird-safe window treatments, such as closely spaced exterior markings, screens, or appropriately tested window films.
• Keep cats indoors. Securing these fluffy hunters protects birds and other wildlife from predation and is safer for the cats, too. 
• Spread the word. Encourage businesses, property managers, and community associations to adopt bird-friendly lighting practices.

The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance’s Bird Safe NOVA initiative offers guidance on reducing light pollution and window collisions throughout our region. Turning off unnecessary lights is a simple action that can benefit migrating birds across entire neighborhoods. The Wildlife Rescue League’s (WRL) Lights Out Northern Virginia program conducts research regarding bird window collisions in Northern Virginia by visiting high-rise buildings during peak migration seasons and identifying birds that have suffered collisions. Birds found alive are transported to rehabbers, while the data regarding bird collision deaths in the area are shared with building managers and homeowners to encourage reduction of nighttime lighting. 

As with our mammalian neighbors, birds—especially raptors such as owls and hawks—are more likely to suffer from vehicle strikes in the fall and winter. Juvenile dispersal is one contributing factor, as young raptors hatched during the spring and summer leave their nests in the fall to establish their own hunting territories. They are still learning how to hunt and may react more slowly to oncoming traffic. Peak hunting times for nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) owls overlap directly with heavier commuter traffic. As natural food supplies tighten, raptors are increasingly drawn to roadsides to feed on roadkill, small mammals, or scavengers feeding on food trash and scraps (like apple cores or banana peels) tossed from vehicles.

Critters Seeking Shelter

As temperatures fall, wildlife looks for places to find food, shelter, and protection from the elements. Squirrels cache nuts, and mice and other small mammals may seek refuge in garages, attics, sheds, and crawl spaces. Raccoons and opossums may also take advantage of unsecured garbage, outdoor pet food, or sheltered spaces beneath decks.

We can reduce unwanted encounters without eliminating the habitat wildlife needs.

• Store birdseed, pet food, and other animal feed in sturdy, sealed containers.
• Keep garage doors closed when not in use.
• Inspect homes and other buildings for gaps and damaged vents, and use appropriate exclusion methods after confirming no animals are trapped inside.
• Avoid feeding wildlife, intentionally or unintentionally.

Coyotes are another wild neighbor that residents may encounter in our region. They live in a variety of landscapes, including suburban neighborhoods, and sightings can prompt questions about how to share space safely. As with other wildlife, giving coyotes space and avoiding intentional feeding are important parts of coexistence.

Although frequently feared and unwelcome by people, coyotes can provide a range of benefits to the ecosystem. Coyotes eat rats and other destructive rodents, as well as rabbits and groundhogs that devour flowers in gardens. They also prey upon fawns in overpopulated deer herds and help control Canada geese that can wreak havoc on landscaped areas. Research has even shown that coyotes reduce the presence of free roaming and feral cats in urban natural areas, thereby increasing songbird nesting success.

Want to learn more? Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources in cooperation with Virginia Master Naturalists offer a statewide program about resolving human-coyote conflicts. Trained ambassadors will work with the Furbearer Biologist to develop educational programming about coyotes and how to sustainably co-exist with them.Here is the downloadable version of the program: Living with Coyotes Near Your Home in Virginia Brochure. Also, look for an upcoming ARMN blog article highlighting the Living with Eastern Coyotes educational outreach program and planned community events during which Arlington Regional Master Naturalists will share more about urban coyote behavior and practical ways to coexist with these adaptable neighbors. Here are a couple of other events to learn more about them:

• November 1: Paws in the Park – Oronoco Bay Park. Join us at this event benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. AWL ambassadors hope to connect with pet owners and provide outreach on coyote behavior and what to do if you encounter a coyote in the area. 
• November 7: Who’s Howling? Getting to Know Our Neighborhood Coyotes – Cherrydale Library. Whether you’ve heard a mysterious howl, spotted a coyote on your evening walk, or simply want to learn more about the wildlife sharing our community, this program will help you become a more informed and confident coyote neighbor.

Leave the Leaves

Fall yard cleanup can be an opportunity to support wildlife rather than removing every sign of the changing season. Fallen leaves, dead plant stems, and logs all provide food, shelter, and overwintering habitat for many insects and other invertebrates.

A layer of leaves beneath trees and shrubs can shelter caterpillars, insect eggs, and other small creatures from cold temperatures and predators. Some butterflies overwinter as chrysalises that resemble dried leaves, while other insects spend the colder months tucked into leaf litter or protected plant stems.

Firefly larvae also spend much of their lives on the ground, where they hunt soft-bodied prey such as snails and other small invertebrates. Leaf litter and other moist, sheltered habitats can help provide the conditions many fireflies need to survive and complete their life cycles.

When we remove every leaf, cut down every stem, or repeatedly disturb the soil, we can inadvertently destroy these small but important habitats.

How can we leave the leaves while keeping our yards functional and attractive?

• Rake leaves into garden beds. Place them beneath trees and shrubs or in designated habitat areas instead of removing them all.
• Keep some leaves whole. Avoid shredding every leaf with a mower, which can harm insects and other small organisms sheltering within them.
• Leave native perennial stems standing. Where practical, wait until spring temperatures are consistently warmer before cutting them back. These stems can still be attractive in their winter state, especially if supported or grouped with additional spent foliage.
• Retain natural shelter. Suitable logs, branches, and brush piles in quiet areas can provide valuable habitat.
• Keep drains clear. Move leaves away from storm drains where they could obstruct drainage, contributing to flooding on roads and affecting water quality in local streams.

Leaving the leaves doesn’t mean abandoning your garden. Thoughtful placement can keep paths clear and lawns usable while providing valuable habitat in less-trafficked areas.

Be a Good Wild Neighbor: Small Actions, Big Benefits

Wildlife doesn’t recognize the boundaries between our yards, parks, roads, and natural areas. The choices we make can affect animals throughout our communities, particularly when food, light, and shelter draw wildlife into places where encounters with people are more likely.

As the season changes, keep these simple practices in mind:

• Secure food: Store garbage, pet food, and animal feed properly, and clean up spilled seed and fallen fruit.
• Give wildlife space: Observe animals from a distance, keep pets under control, and never attempt to handle wild animals.
• Protect migrating birds: Turn off unnecessary nighttime lights and make windows visible to birds.
• Drive thoughtfully: Slow down around wooded areas and watch for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Create wildlife-friendly yards: Leave some leaves, native plant stems, and natural shelter in appropriate places.
• Know when to ask for help: If an animal is injured, trapped, or creating a persistent safety concern, contact the appropriate wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife professional for guidance rather than attempting to handle it yourself.

Fall is a wonderful time to notice the wildlife sharing our region. A bear searching for acorns, a buck moving through the woods, a flock of migrating birds, a coyote passing along a wooded trail, or a firefly larva tucked beneath the leaves each reminds us that our communities are part of a much larger living landscape. By understanding seasonal wildlife behavior and making small, thoughtful changes, we can reduce conflicts, protect vulnerable species, and create safer places for both people and wildlife.

Resources:

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy, “Bears and Food Storage”
• Bearwise.org.
• DWR, “Drivers: Stay Alert, Deer are on the Move,” 16 November 2022.
• Hawk Migration Association, “Collisions Position Statement,” 2024.
• NC State Extension, “Provide Nesting Habitat for Native Bees Through Plant Stems in Your Garden,” 21 February 2026.
• Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, “Bird Safe NOVA.”
• WildlifeAnswers.blog: “Are Deer Aggressive During Mating Season? [Safety Guide].”
• Wildlife Rescue League, “Lights Out Northern Virginia.”
• Wildlife Rescue League, Wildlife Helpline.
• Xerces Society, “Save the Stems.”