You do not need to be an expert in bird identification or frog populations to enjoy the beauty and excitement of the diverse wildlife present in and around Norris Lake.  Not many small lake communities near Atlanta can boast of Belted Kingfishers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Green Herons, and Great Blue Herons all seen and heard daily.  Is it the persistent clear cutting of the forest in the metro area that forces wildlife to migrate here?  I have more questions than answers.  However, for the past 13 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed many close encounters with Norris Lake wildlife.  In fact, while writing this article, I was interrupted and had to forsake pen and paper to pick up binoculars as a hawk hunted in my wooded side lot.  Like children, we seem to be drawn to the natural curiosity we have for our environment.

            What have some of my wildlife encounters been like?  I will describe some to give you a taste of what is possible at Norris Lake.  I have more than once watched a Great Blue Heron stalk, catch, and swallow a fish on our lake shore. In the past, I discovered a nocturnal flying squirrel that had constructed an oval swaddling nest in a birdhouse, which I was cleaning in my backyard.  As mother took exit north up the tree trunk, I scooped up two babies showing their pink newness.  Here it was the dead of winter (January/February) and Mother Nature insisted on displaying signs of spring.  Appropriate caution was used so that nest and babies were returned to carry on their life’s business.  On a separate occasion I had to quickly withdraw my hand from a kestrel box at a higher tree level after coming in contact with the feathery texture of the ear tufts of a red phased screech owl.  This owl (one of the smallest owl species) liked my two kestrel boxes so much; she stayed a month in each one.  Brown bats have been found hanging from my attic vents during the hot daylight hours, and then venture out on their bug-catching night excursions in search on their nightly 600-bug limit.  During silent sunset rides in the canoe or kayak, the splash of a beaver’s tail or the dark speeding shadow of an otter swimming under submerged logs has startled me.  Once, while trying to complete my Gwinnett County school report cards, I witnessed a whole nest of tufted titmouse (small gray birds with crested-tufts on their heads) fledglings shove, hesitate, and finally take the first leap from the nesting box one by one, with the most hesitant fledgling leaving last.  I have watched a cocoon burst forth with an amazing 100 young praying mantis.

            What makes these critters choose Norris Lake?  Is it the fresh water bubbling from three springs and two creeks that feed our lake?  Is it the diverse vegetation, native trees, and wild muscadine vines?  Habitat specialists explain that these living creatures need four basic elements (1) food, (2) water, (3) cover/shelter, and (4) a place to raise young.  Seems the wildlife isn’t really that different from us humans.  If you are one of the residents here at the lake that have observed otters sitting on your dock munching down a meal of fresh fish or if you have witnessed unusual bird or frog sightings, share your observations with us.  We want to network your discoveries as well as help you address any concerns.  If this article has interested you at all, please consider joining the FRIENDS OF NORRIS LAKE.  This group is dedicated to preserving the integrity of this lake and its wildlife.  Some of our possible future projects may include: a frog population study, educating residents about bluebirds, enhancing lake shoreline with erosion control measures, continuation of our siltation study, and establishing Norris Lake as an official N.W.F. backyard habitat.  In the meantime, stop and smell the flowers, count the amazing number of pollinators, and rediscover your connection to the great scheme of nature.