This was another week full of bird surveys at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. This was the last week of spring bobwhite quail and grassland breeding bird surveys, as it will start getting to warm. We did not hear any Bobwhite quail, but I like to think they're there- just quiet. The bobwhite quail is a bird who's population is in rapid decline due to habitat loss. This species is especially important to the biologists at the Manassas National Battlefield Park because the park is full of great bobwhite quail habitat! They also serve as a great indicator species for the rest of the grassland breeding birds in the park.
Along with the bird surveys, the week consisted mostly of habitat management for a growing pollinator meadow in the park. The goal of the park's natural resource division is to increase habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds. We planted around 150 common milkweeds, which Monarch butterflies rely on to feed their caterpillars. Milkweed are the only plants the caterpillars feed on, while grown Monarchs will feed from a variety of native flowers. We also planted blue mistflower seeds throughout the meadow. The blue mistflower is a native perennial and blooms into beautiful, clumped flowers, perfect for our pollinator friends.