Photo: NPS Fort Davis National Historic Site (NHS) sits within a hot spot for bird diversity in west Texas. The Davis Mountains are a sky island with environments ranging from grassland to desert scrub to montane forest that host an array of bird species. The historic site is located in the foothills of the Davis Mountains and is an excellent place to see species that are representative of the range’s lower elevations. While not all species that are present in the Davis Mountains have been observed at Fort Davis NHS, 152 species have been recorded within the park boundary. Fort Davis contains important habitat for both resident and migrant bird species. Sixty-three species, like Barn Swallows and Rock Wrens, breed or potentially breed in the park. It also is an important stopover for migrants such as warblers and swallows. The intricate pattern of vegetation at Fort Davis NHS includes both natural and managed environments, providing varied bird habitats. The parade grounds are a mowed Northern Cardinal Bird Checklist 3 grassland where Rock Wrens are commonly seen flitting around ruins. The historic cottonwood grove near the visitor center is one of the few stands of large trees in the park and is used by flycatchers and raptors. North-facing slopes above the fort grounds consist mostly of oak-dominated woodlands which attract Say’s Phoebes and Cactus Wrens. South-facing slopes are generally covered by a mixture of desert shrublands and grasslands. Cassin’s Kingbirds inhabit the shrublands and quail can be frequently observed in grassland areas. Hospital Canyon, west of the fort, supports dry riparian vegetation and hosts the greatest diversity of bird species in the historic site. Species such as Phainopepla, Canyon Towhee, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, and Scott’s Oriole as well as raptors, sparrows, and wrens may be found there. 
|
Last updated: August 18, 2023