Wildlife
Learn more about your favorite Chesaepake Bay wildlife.
The eastern fence lizard: Nature’s master of disguise
May 8, 2024A reptile well-versed in defense
Read story![Eastern fence lizard basks on a branch.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_900x600_crop_center-center_none/EasternFenceLizardFieldGuide1800-01-Photo-81480598-c-Michael-J.-W.-Carr-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC-uploaded-by-Michael-J.-W.-Carr.jpg)
Inaugural State of the Streams report card shows the health of five waterways around Washington, D.C.
April 26, 2024All monitored creeks scored “fair” in the Nature Forward report card
Read story![Pedestrians walk by Rock Creek in a park.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/apr_26_24_1800-01-5K1A9898.jpg)
The eastern painted turtle: A natural work of art
April 5, 2024A reptile famous for its colorful shell
Read story![Eastern painted turtle basks in the sun on a log.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/EasternPaintedTurtleFieldGuide1800-02-20141025-IMG_9781.jpg)
A small creature faced with a big environmental task
March 6, 2024Brook floaters are threatened by climate change, invasive species and pollution
Read story![A mussel rests among algae-covered rocks, its soft filtering tissues visible in a partly open shell.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/mar_6_24_1800-01-Photo-285633828-c-hunterefs-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC.jpg)
New report investigates how the Bay's forage base is changing over time
February 8, 2024Bay Program partners release Forage Status and Trends Report
Read story![A waterman on a workboat wearing yellow waders and blue and white gloves inserts an orange plastic tag into the mouth of a striped bass.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/images/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/feb_7_24_1800-02-20200627_3144.jpg)
Six birding destinations in New York's portion of the Chesapeake watershed
January 30, 2024New York State Birding Trail connects people with the outdoors
Read story![A pileated woodpecker perches on a fallen log.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/images/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/jan_30_24_1800-01-20150526-IMG_4479-Enhanced-NR.jpg)
A busy bird with incredible camouflage
January 3, 2024Brown creepers are known for their unique way of foraging
Read story![A brown creeper hugs close to a tree.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/field-guide/brown-creeper/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/BrownCreeperFieldGuide1800-01-20161218-IMG_9316.jpg)
How the eastern floater flexes its muscles
December 8, 2023The eastern floater can withstand low dissolved oxygen levels and uses a variety of host fish for reproduction
Read story![A hand holds a small freshwater mussel.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/EasternFloaterFieldGuide1800-03-Photo-220687715-c-chris-buelow-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC-uploaded-by-chris-buelow_2023-12-08-212713_lyaz.jpg)
This Halloween, let’s make bats the good guys
October 5, 2023Why one of the smallest bats in the Bay watershed needs our help
Read story![The small bat has its wings tucked and clings to a rocky wall.](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/TricoloredBatFieldGuide1800-01-Photo-152739597-c-ozarkpoppy-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC-uploaded-by-ozarkpoppy.jpg)
Dobsonfly adults are all bark and no bite
September 6, 2023The eastern dobsonfly may look intimidating but the larvae are the real predators
Read story![](https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/images/_492x328_crop_center-center_none/DobsonflyFieldGuide_1800-01-Photo-557860-c-gowan-some-rights-reserved-CC-BY-NC.jpg)