Blog

stories from the Sanctuary

Yellow-bellied Slider education ambassador on CBS19

November 7, 2025

They say slow and steady wins the race, but this critter is typically the fastest to greet visitors at Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet our new Yellow-bellied Slider education ambassador! 💛

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October 29, 2025

They’re little. They’re furry. They’re social butterflies. They’re pest-control pros. Above all, they’re misunderstood. They’re bats, and it’s their special week! 🦇

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October 14, 2025

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Our featured patients this month stole our hearts…though they were sometimes difficult to find. Can you spot the critter in question? 👀

October 3, 2025

We’re delighted to invite you to our Sanctuary Soirée at Pollak Vineyards on November 14th! 🎉 Join us as we celebrate Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary’s remarkable animal patients and the incredible people, like you, who make their second chances possible. Our Soirée will include: We’re currently offering a special early bird discount for 25% off tickets […]

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A fledgling Cedar Waxwing perches on a wooden slab, looking back at the camera.

September 29, 2025

Cedar Waxwings are beautiful, spunky birds that quickly become staff favorites whenever they’re in care. We thought this month’s Critter Corner would be the perfect opportunity to share more about these spirited little masked bandits.

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A juvenile red fox kit looks down at the camera from atop a perch inside an enclosure at RWS.

September 18, 2025

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Remember the adorable red fox kit we featured back in May? We’ve got an exciting update!

August 29, 2025

This month’s Critter Corner focuses on some extra special folks who have helped us care for 750+ critters this season. 👏

We’re highlighting our summer student interns! ❤️

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Two nestling red-headed woodpeckers sit in a cloth-lined nest inside the nursery at RWS. They look up at the camera.

August 19, 2025

It’s not every day your nest gets struck by lightning. However, that’s exactly what happened to our featured patients this month: four nestling Red-headed Woodpeckers! 😮

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Four nestling Chimney Swifts peer up at the camera while hanging from an orange fleece.

August 1, 2025

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We’re true Swifties at Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary! Now, we don’t mean fans of Taylor Swift (though, admittedly, some of our staff members certainly are). We mean fans of the original swift: the Chimney Swift! 👏

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Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. EIN 51-0498181.
Thank you for supporting our mission to help native wildlife in Virginia and beyond.