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Manassas National Battlefield Park
Birds
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Bryan Gorsira | Canada Goose |
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Historically, the rolling fields in Manassas National Battlefield Park were used for agricultural purposes. Since many grassland birds in Virginia are on the decline, one of the park's goals is to promote better quality habitat for grassland birds, while still maintaining the agricultural heritage of the park. To this end, we are maintaining grass and shrub lands using a combination of agricultural (hay) leases and mowing by our maintenance staff.
Declining grassland species known to occur in the park include: the Eastern Meadowlark, Barn Owl, Northern Harrier, Savannah Sparrow, and the Grasshopper Sparrow. The Barn Owl is endangered in seven states and is listed as a species of "special concern" in two states. We currently have 10 species of special concern within the park.
We have installed nest boxes throughout the park. Presently, the park has Barn Owl, Kestrel, and Bluebird boxes. To date, 168 species have been documented within the park.
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Did You Know?
Congressman Alfred Ely, representing upstate New York, was captured by pursuing Confederates during the retreat after First Manassas. Ely spent five months in Libby Prison in Richmond, before being released. He returned to Washington and published an account of his experience the following year.
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Last Updated: October 22, 2008 at 13:59 EST |