Travels with Migratory Birds

Southern Appalachian Mountains

In the mountains, our land protection work benefits the golden-winged warbler, a migratory songbird whose population has dwindled nearly 70 percent over the past half-century. On their journeys to winter in South and Central America, these warblers pass through the Appalachian Mountains. They are ground nesters, needing grasses and flowering plants to conceal their nests. Sadly, land that would be suitable for nesting has become overgrown.

Indigenous Peoples historically managed land in the Appalachian Mountains with fire, but fire suppression campaigns in the 20^th century caused forests to fill in. The result is less habitat for warblers and other birds like them. American woodcock, hooded warbler, yellow-breasted chat, indigo bunting, grasshopper sparrow, prairie warbler, American kestrel, Bachman’s sparrow, vesper sparrow, chipping sparrow, field sparrow and song sparrow are some of the birds that depend on this and similar kinds of habitat. Managing the forest can also be achieved by cutting back vegetation that isn’t natural to the landscape.

Southeast Coastal Plain

The prothonotary warbler inhabits swamps and bottomlands of the Coastal Plain. Common to blackwater systems, these birds have been spotted at TNC’s Black River Preserve, home to ancient bald cypress—the fifth oldest tree species in the world. They build their nests inside existing tree cavities, inside stumps, or in cypress knees.

Prothonotary warblers are occasionally seen in the Outer Banks. TNC has protected more than 200,000 acres in northeastern North Carolina, providing habitat for a variety of birds. TNC’s Nags Head Woods Preserve is home to more than 50 species of birds. Nearby, at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, birders may observe species like the black-throated warbler, American kestrel, northern parula and summer tanager.

The Nature Conservancy is addressing the challenges facing migratory bird populations by continuing to acquire property, restoring forest habitat, and advancing sound climate change policy. Your support makes a difference to birds in North Carolina and beyond.