Plants and Wildlife

Skyline Lakes is home to a rich variety of plants and animals living amongst our human neighbors. Property owners and guests are encouraged to appreciate and protect the plants and wildlife that make our mountain community so special.

Responsible hunting by property owners and their guests is allowed on their private property during legal hunting seasons. Road hunting and uninvited guests are not permitted to hunt in Skyline Lakes. Please report any unsafe or unauthorized hunting to the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 540.743.6571.

(photo by Cheryl Watkins)

Hardwood Trees

Our forests are rich with native hardwoods like oak, maple, poplar and hickory. Some are over 100 years old. These trees provide shade, fall color and important habitat for birds and other wildlife. Wildlife particularly enjoy oak acorns and hickory nuts.

Woodland Plants

In spring and summer, you’ll spot mountain laurel, ferns, rhododendron and flowering understory plants. These grow best in the dappled light beneath the hardwood canopy and help prevent soil erosion. Through the summer and fall, wildflowers grow in clearings and grassy meadows.

Invasive and Aggressive Plants

Some non-native species such as bittersweet vine, ailanthus (Tree of Heaven), multiflora rose, autumn olive and Japanese stiltgrass crowd out native plants and reduce habitat quality. While native, wild grape vines can overwhelm trees and make them vulnerable to breakage.

  • White Tailed Deer

    White-tailed deer are common and often seen at dawn and dusk. They help shape the forest understory, but over-browsing can damage young trees and garden plants. Photo by Cheryl Watkins

  • Black Bears

    Black bears live throughout the mountains and usually avoid people if left undisturbed. To learn how to live safely around them and prevent conflicts, visit the BearWise website at https://bearwise.org. Photo by Cheryl Watkins

  • Wild Turkeys

    Flocks of wild turkeys roam the woods and open areas, especially in fall and early spring. They forage for seeds, insects and acorns and often travel in groups. Photo by Cheryl Watkins

  • Owls

    Different types of owls live in and around Skyline Lakes. You can often hear Barred Owls “talking” to each other with their distinctive call some people say sounds like “who cooks for you?”. Photo by Cheryl Watkins

  • Bobcats

    Bobcats are quiet and elusive, so sightings are rare even though they live in the region year-round. They help control rodents and other small animals and generally avoid human contact. Photo by Cheryl Watkins