Branch Out Event: Wildlife Track & Sign on Lake Fontana

Name: Branch Out Event: Wildlife Track & Sign on Lake Fontana
Start: 2025-09-13T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-09-13T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Noland Creek Trail, Bryson City, NC 28713, United States

Schedule

Sat Sep 13 2025 at 09:00 am to 01:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Noland Creek Trail, Bryson City, NC 28713, United States | Bryson City, NC

In this workshop you’ll discover and learn how to recognize the unique tracks and signs left by local wildlife. You’ll learn to read and interpret the hidden clues left in the mud as we explore this astoundingly beautiful portion of the Park on the shore of Lake Fontana. We’ll begin by taking a short 1 mile hike from Lakeview Drive down Noland Creek Trail, pausing often to inspect the creek banks, trees, and trail for any signs of wildlife such as scat, foraging sign, nests, and burrows. By considering these signs carefully, we can begin to understand the fascinating life histories of the animals who live here.
Once we arrive at the end of the trail, we will investigate the soft muddy substrate left by the receding waters from the lake, which is partially drained every fall. With each track or sign we find, we will discuss and describe the unique features which allow us to identify the animal who left it and in so doing, experience the landscape come alive with stories, mysteries and hidden wonders. In the past we have found tracks and sign of black bear, bobcat, blue heron, coyote, red fox, raccoon, white-tailed deer, wild boar, gray squirrel, crayfish, and many other wild animals in this location. No experience necessary!