Bull Run Birds and Beauty National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

The Value of Small Parks

Red-headed Woodpecker

National Capital Region

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Virginia

Battlefield Biodiversity

Photo by Fred Walsh

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Capital Region

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Although parks like Manassas were initially established as cultural/historic 

sites, recent studies have discovered that these parks contribute significantly to 

conservation of regional biodiversity. Manassas lands act as a refuge, 

a migratory and dispersal bird rest stop and a corridor for animal 

movements. The park provides refuge for Red-headed woodpeckers 

(Melanerpes erythrocephalus) and is a summer home for the 

migratory Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). In 

addition, nearly 50 butterfly and over 200 moth species have 

been documented within the park. Insects are crucial to the 

ecosystem, as a food source for birds and as pollinators. You 

can catch a glimpse of the large Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly 

(Papilio glaucus)-the Virginia State insect-or if you are really 

lucky, you can see the Bumblebee Moth (Hemaris diffinis) 

which displays an excellent example of mimicry. 

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Bumblebee Moth

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Battlefield Biodiversity National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA T M

National Capital Region

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Funding provided by Unilever United States Foundation, Inc., through the Virginia 16 Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation.

Northern bobwhite quail

Put trail map here with 

full key to landmarks, 

trail, etc. 

Piedmont Swamp Forest

Vernal Pools

Piedmont Bottomland Forest

Eastern 

White Pine

Virginia Pine -

Eastern Red Cedar Forest

Bull Run and the historic Stone Bridge

The name of the river itself has national significance as 

many connect the name of Bull Run with the first major 

land battle of the Civil War; the Battle of Bull Run, also 

known locally as the First Battle of Manassas.

A 1.3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the historic 

Stone Bridge showcases the biodiversity in the park. The 

elevated floodplain levees and terraces along Bull Run, 

a lush herb layer, and a seasonally flooded bottomland 

hardwood forest all result in a unique location in the park. 

Virginia bluebells carpet the forest floor in blue, violet, 

and pink shades from March through June, releasing 

nectar that attracts local bees and humming birds. 

A walk by the Stone Bridge and boardwalk 

allows visitors to enjoy this spring display as 

well as hear the sound of spring peepers 

(Pseudacris crucifer) in nearby vernal 

pools, and maybe even glimpse a 

spotted salamander (Ambystoma 

maculatum).

Stone Bridge

Bull Run

Bull Run

Manassas National Battlefield Park is rich 

with bird life, over 160 species have been 

sighted and well over half of those species 

are migrants. Some migratory Birds of 

Conversation Concern, such as the Wood 

Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), have been 

sighted here as well. Of the 18 species listed 

for the Piedmont in 2008 by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, nine have been sighted in 

the park. A complete bird list is available for 

download on the Park’s web site: www.nps.

gov/mana.

Northern Virginia’s moderate climate and 

geographic location within two physiographic 

provinces (Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain and 

Southern Appalachian Piedmont) nurture 

a rich native biota and offer access to more 

northerly and southerly species. The bird life 

of Northern Virginia reflects these influences.  

Manassas is home to year-round residents; 

summer residents that migrate here to find 

breeding habitat; winter residents that find 

milder conditions here before returning north 

to breed; transients that rest and refuel in 

this region during spring and fall migrations; 

and visitors that show up in this region 

irregularly-the odd bird out, so to speak.

In April of 2010 the National Park Service 

signed a Memorandum of Understanding 

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

that outlines a collaborative and proactive 

approach to promote and strengthen 

the conservation of migratory birds. The 

Natural Resource Division in Manassas has, 

through the planting of native warm season 

grasslands and the establishment of bird 

boxes for species of concern such as the 

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), strived 

to increase habitat for migratory birds. In 

addition, with the release of Northern 

Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) to 

augment the current populations of Quail 

in the park, we hope to also help a nonmigratory species of concern. 

American Kestrel

Northern Bobwhite Quail

Stone Bridge Loop Trail 1.3 miles

Dutchman's Breeches Spotted Salamander Virginia Bluebell Spring Peeper

 Photo by John White

Wood Thrush

(c) Hofmann-photograpy.de

(c) Hofmann-photograpy.de

Manassas National Battlefield Park

www.nps.gov/mana

www.facebook.com/manassasbattlefield

Park Boundary