Celebrating Cicadas, Spying A Rare Owl Are Among DC, NoVA's Top Animal Stories Of 2021

VIRGINIA — While most of Patch's stories in 2021 focused on the human residents of Washington, D.C., and Virginia, reporters also kept an eye on the big animal-related stories throughout the year.

Whether it was the return of cicada Brood X after a 17-year nap, D.C. being declared the fourth-rattiest city in the country or a feral cat defending its food from a fox, Patch was there with the details.

Recently, Patch highlighted the efforts of two local animal rescues helping homeless cats and dogs from rural communities find forever homes in the D.C. metro region.

In September, teams of volunteers from Arlington and Alexandria turned up at a Manassas airport to take in more than 100 animals evacuated from Louisiana shelters ahead of Hurricane Ida.

Local cat and dog owners shared photos of their favorite pets on various occasions over the summer, both official and not so official.

• Friendly Felines Dominate Lives Of Patch Readers In Arlington
• International Cat Day Celebrated By Herndon Cat Lovers
• International Cat Day Celebrated By Reston Cat Lovers
• Even More Reston Cat Lovers Celebrate International Cat Day
• International Dog Day Celebrated By Arlington Dog Lovers
• International Dog Day Celebrated By Fairfax Dog Lovers
• International Dog Day Celebrated By Arlington Dog Lovers
• International Dog Day Celebrated By Reston Dog Lovers

Throughout 2021, a Patch reporter living in Fairfax posted several stories featuring videos of local widelife captured on a Ring camera. Animal visitors to the reporter's front window included a feral cat protecting a bowl of food, a sneaky fox nibbling on cat treats in broad daylight and a rare flying squirrel dropping in for a midnight snack.

In August, Caroline Elpers and Ryan Robinson, deputy animal control officers in Arlington, used cat food to lure a kitten out of an automobile engine in which it had been hiding.

In the spring, residents in D.C. and Virginia celebrated the noisy, bug-eyed return of Brood X, otherwise known as the Great Eastern Brood cicadas.

• Cicada Invasion: DC, NoVA Residents Snap Pics Of Insects [Photos]
• Cicadas Strike A Pose With Their Red Eyes, Orange Wings [PHOTOS]
• 17-Year Cicadas: 'Bottomless' Supply In Virginia And DC Really Is
• You Can Eat 17-Year Cicadas Emerging In Virginia
• Cicada Sundae: Public Abuzz Over Arlington Shop's Frozen Treat

Not all the animal stories from 2021 were fun or uplifting. Washington, D.C., for example, grabbed the fourth spot on Orkin's 2021 Rattiest Cities list.

Animal control officers officers in Arlington warned the public numerous times over the year to be on the lookout for rapid animals in their neighborhoods.

• Potential Rabies Exposure Risk Reported In East Falls Church Area
• 2 Potentially Rabid Raccoons Captured In Rock Spring Area
• Rabies, Distemper Outbreak Among Raccoons Across North Arlington
• Rabid Cat Found Near Falls Church Euthanized In Arlington County
• Warning: Possible Rabid Fox Bites 2 In Lacey Woods Park Area
• Farewell Brood X: Cicadas' Time In DC Area Nears End [Photos]

Here are some more Patch stories from 2021 highlighting animals in our communities:

Hawk Stunned After Crashing Into Window Of Reston Home

Edward Abbott was making lunch around 12 noon on July 9, when he heard a loud crash at one of the windows of his Reston home. He stepped out onto is deck to investigate

Rarely-Spotted Owl Flies Into Oakton Home

Northern Saw-whet Owls are rarely spotted by people due to their nocturnal tendencies, so it was a rare treat when Animal Protection Police got to see one in Oakton on Nov. 17.

Black Bear Population Makes Great Comeback In Virginia: Report

A Virginia wildlife official puts the current count of black bears in the state at between 18,000 and 20,000.