Rock Island State Park rangers encouraging Upper Cumberland residents to participate in World Migratory Bird Day Saturday by tracking local bird species to assist with global conservation research.
Interpretive Ranger Kristen Garrison said the park serves as a critical stopping point because its river shoreline, prairie, and forested habitats provide food for various birds. Garrison said the October event coincides with the period when summer nesting birds move south and northern species arrive in Tennessee for the winter.
“It’s just we are mild enough down here that there’s still enough food to provide a safe harbor for those northern birds,” Garrison said. “But you know, worldwide birds are moving, it doesn’t matter where you’re at and so World Migratory Bird Day is for the globe, it’s a global event.”
Garrison said residents can contribute to international databases by using free mobile applications such as e-Bird or Merlin to record sightings from their own backyards. These observations help researchers identify specific locations that birds favor so organizations can prioritize those areas for habitat protection and land acquisition.
“If we know where the birds are hanging out, we know where to center our efforts for habitat protection like buying up land so that we can have critical stopover points for them,” Garrison said.
Ranger 1 John Maynard said the availability of native cover is a significant factor for birds traveling through the region. Maynard said while much of the local private land is used for agriculture, property owners can help by making wildlife habitat a priority in their land management plans.
“I think another good thing is just to promote native cover we’re in a unique location where that is ready is very available for them,” Maynard said. “A lot of private lands, it’s very ag heavy and maybe wildlife is in the not in the forefront of those plans.”
Garrison said planting oak trees is one of the most effective ways to provide long-term support because they host caterpillar larvae that serve as high-quality protein for birds. Residents can also maintain bird baths and feeders with various seeds, fruits, or suet blocks, provided the equipment is cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases and pathogens.
“It’s also important to track the common ones, so just don’t be intimidated, any information is welcome, so all skill types are encouraged to participate and you can do it right from your own backyard,” Garrison said.
Park Manager Jake Viamonte said the species currently moving through the area represent the majority of the seasonal migration.
