Pond Community

Bird habitat adjacent to pond

Each spring and fall, millions of birds look for food and water along the Atlantic Flyway as they migrate thousands of miles. Fresh water is a rarity along the Eastern seacoast, so this pond is a welcome sight. This pond was enhanced by the Army, but natural ponds form as well between a beach and dunes in a low-lying swale where water is able to accumulate. These natural brackish ponds, which combine fresh water with sea water, host a diverse number of plants. Look for phragmites, a grass five to ten feet high. This opportunistic plant loves to grow in highly disturbed areas.