Gulf Branch Nature Center

06/05/2026

05/21/2026

Good reasons to stay on trail and keep your dogs on a leash: copperheads!!

This was yesterday’s copperhead find. They are very common in the park, usually hiding under logs or camouflaged in the leaves.

To stay safe, they are better left alone with space to escape. They are usually calm but will strike if disturbed.

05/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to see us celebrating Migratory Bird Day at Bluemont Park this past Saturday! The sun was out and luckily- so we were some birds, with highlights like the Baltimore oriole and white-eyed vireo on the guided walks.

It was great to see some of our usual visitors come out, as well as some new faces! We had the help of some of the wonderful Arlington Master Naturalists, as well special guests Diva Crows, Wildlife Rescue League, and Wild Birds Unlimited.

We hope to see everyone again in the future! Happy birding 🪺

05/12/2026

Learn about one of the most common trees in Arlington: the Tulip Poplar!

These are found basically everywhere as they are not favored by deer. However, they are a favorite for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. They have a lot of nectar! We don’t often see the flowers until they fall on the ground since these trees are so tall. It can grow 70-150 feet!

They are not actually a type of poplar, but are actually more related to magnolias. The yellow-orange flower and leaves are shaped like tulips, which is where that part of its name comes from.

Next time you’re on a walk in the trails, you’ll probably fine a tulip poplar flower on the ground!

05/09/2026

Today is World Migratory Bird Day! 🪶🪺

This day is to celebrate and recognize the long (or even short) journey birds make around the world! We will celebrate migratory bird day next Saturday on May 16 at Bluemont Park from 10am-12pm. There will be educational activities, live bird presentations, and guided bird walks. The event is free!

Pictured: Golden-crowned kinglet, a winter resident that can be found in our parks. Found migrating in March-April, but you can find them year-round near the mountains.

05/07/2026

The first week of May is Amphibian Week, so we’re highlighting one of the most common amphibians in the park: wood frogs!
Amphibians are any animals like frogs, salamanders, newts, or caecilians.

Wood frogs populate our vernal pond every year with hundreds and hundreds of tadpoles in the late winter. In can take up to 4 months for them to become adults. If you visit the pond, you’ll still see lots of tadpoles in there who have yet to grow their legs!

Once they grow legs and become adults, wood frogs leave the water and live in the woods (hence the name!),returning to the water when it is time to lay eggs again the next year. This back and forth between the water and land can often make them vulnerable, as they are found crossing roads and getting ran over.

Pictured here is a wood frog we found outside by the trail, hopefully enjoying life as an adult (in the woods).

If you have a tiny one, you can meet one of our frogs up close at our Tiny Tots: Frog program Tuesday, May 12 from 10am-10:45am.

05/06/2026

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05/05/2026

Come celebrate the long journey of birds with us!
World Migratory Bird Day is on May 9, but we are celebrating with a family-friendly, bilingual event on Saturday, May 16 from 10am-12pm. We will have games, crafts, and guided bird walks. We will also have live bird presentations for you to meet one up and close! Meet us at the Bluemont Park Picnic Pavilion.
The event is free and registration is not required, but we highly appreciate and recommend it.

See you there! 🦆🪺🐦‍⬛

04/23/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

We all depend on the goods and services provided by our ecosystem in order to support the well-being of people. When we work together to protect the planet, we are assuring our access to clean air, soil, and water.

Here are some easy ways you can support the planet:
• Visit a local farmer’s market (Arlington has 11!)
• Visit a local park (Arlington has more than 150!)
• Clean up trash in your neighborhood
• Watch an environmental documentary/movie
• Turn off outdoor lights at night (helps migrating animals)
•and of course… visit a nature center! (Arlington has 3!)

What are some other easy things you can do to support the Earth?

Pictured: Five lined skink on a fence by outdoor pond at Gulf Branch Park. Photo by. Adrian Nielsen

04/18/2026

Lots of busy bees in the park lately! 🐝

By the Blacksmith Forge are some ground nesting bees taking advantage of the sandy soils.

70% of bees actually nest underground, creating burrows where the young spend their larval and pupal stage. Bees have some bad rep, but these are mostly chill and not aggressive!

Urbanization and development of land poses a risk for these important pollinators. They may have limited access to bare ground and a lack of resources from native plants.

We’re glad they were able to call our park home!

Pictured: Ground nesting bee flying over nesting holes in the soil.