FRP_BirdGuide

their abundant nuts provide much needed nutrition for many animals, including birds. Hackberry trees produce sweet fruits that persist into the fall and attract insects throughout the year. Cedar Elm trees uniquely bloom in the fall, attracting insects for resident birds and birds migrating to their wintering grounds in

Mexico, Central America, and South America. Keeping Track of Our Avian Community

The relationship between plants and animals plays an important role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. Trees, wildflowers, and grasses provide food and shelter to animals. Animals, like birds, provide pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal to plants. This relationship is supported by the building blocks of a balanced ecosystem: healthy soils, clean water, and sufficient water availability. Land management practices can be used to improve the building blocks of an ecosystem, its health, and ultimately the diversity of life that it can support. By monitoring bird life at the FRP, we gather information about the health of the FRP ecosystem and the impact of land management practices.

Food sources for birds at the FRP, clockwise from upper left: insects, Cedar Sage ( Salvia roemeriana) , EAA staff planting demonstration garden, Germander ( Teucrium canadense ), demonstration garden view, Purple Threeawn ( Aristida purpurea ).

GUIDE TO BIRDS OF THE FRP

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