How to Spot Wildlife While Paddling

The Haw River hosts an abundance of wildlife: great blue herons, turtles, frogs, fish, beavers, muskrats, and even bald eagles. Whether you’d just like to look, take photos, or make a nature journal, this blog post will offer some tips to help you see more wildlife on your next river trip.

While some wildlife is viewable from the shore, you’ll have the most luck spotting—and getting close to—animals when on the water. Read on for some tips on finding wildlife while canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

Choose the Right Time of Day

While some species can be found throughout the day—turtles frequently sun on rocks, for instance–most wildlife is particularly active during early morning and late afternoon. Fish feed and jump, deer browse. At these times, many animals are busy feeding and moving around, which makes them easier to spot.

For bigger animals, especially mammals like river otters, beavers, and deer (on the bank), you’d want to aim for paddling around dawn or dusk. Choosing these times also offers another benefit: soft light. Paddling during the twilight hours creates a serene feeling that is lost during the bright, direct light of day.

Be Silent, Be Stealthy

One reason to paddle is to enjoy nature while chatting with friends. Normally, we support that social time, but if you want to see animals, you’ll need to be as quiet as possible.

Before your trip, your group might agree to talk only in whispers and to use hand gestures to point out animals. Make sure that you paddle quietly and secure your belongings; you don’t want that water bottle banging around the boat. Wild animals are very sensitive to sound and movement (their survival depends on it).

At first, you’ll feel odd, but most people find they enjoy this novel way of communication, and having a purpose for your trip also lends it meaning. You might be surprised how much you enjoy the challenge of silent movement, as it requires a Zen-like focus on the present moment.

Bring a Camera or Binoculars

Remember what we said about soft light? That quality also makes for great photos. Of course you can use a phone, but a camera with a strong zoom lens will let you watch animals from a distance, with the photos as a bonus.

Some people skip the camera because it removes them from the present moment, and instead carry binoculars. Use them to scan the banks and the water for signs of movement. Experienced birders rely on binoculars to watch tiny species from a distance; you can use the same technique to spot a heron feeding upstream or a muskrat’s head as he swims near the bank.

Bring a Field Guide or Nature App

Generally, we prefer to look at things closely, take pictures or sketch, and use the field guide when you get off the water. This practice keeps you in the moment while you are paddling and observing.

But if it’s your first time out, you might enjoy having a field guide on hand to help identify species. We recommend the Peterson field guides.

Many people also use apps such as iNaturalist and iBird, which can identify flora and fauna from a photo.

Respect the Haw’s Ecosystem

If you care enough to look for wildlife, then you’re probably someone who will take care of the environment anyway. But we like to remind everyone to practice Leave No Trace principles, one of which is Respect Wildlife. Here’s how to do it:

• “Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.”

Be Patient

If you’re used to a fast-paced lifestyle, then going out to look for wildlife can at first feel disappointing. Animals are often smaller than you’d expect, and they rarely just jump out for your viewing pleasure.

Wildlife watching is a skill, and you CAN learn it, but it requires patience and observation. If you’re willing to paddle quietly and look closely at the natural world around you, then you’ll likely see animals, and you’ll get some surprises. But no matter what you see, the process of looking will reward you with a mindful, calm state that makes the work worthwhile.

Want Help? Book a Trip or Custom Program

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of lake and river trips that combine paddling, community, and education. Consider joining a guided trip to learn more about the Haw River. Your guide will be happy to point out wildlife and offer tips for finding animals on your own.

Or if you’d like a Custom Program tailored to wildlife viewing, please contact us and we can design an experience for you and your group.