Old Field and Meadow (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this trailside historical marker:

Old Field and Meadow -- Hosts to Diverse Species
Laurel Hill Park

Expansive fields and meadows are very rare in Northern Virginia. Most have been built upon, diminishing the communities of species that thrive in healthy wild fields. At Laurel Hill Park, hundreds of acres of old field and meadow are present, creating some of the rarest natural field habitat for miles.

"Old field" refers to thickets of brambles, young trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. "Meadow" refers mainly to fields of wildflowers and grasses. Thickets of brambles provide shelter and food for a variety of birds and mammals. Berries and nuts that grow in the thickets help sustain wildlife year round. Rodent populations in thickets are high because avian predators like hawks can't reach the ground to grab prey. This makes the snake, fox, and coyote populations very important at Laurel Hill Park to keep the rodent population under control.

For bird watchers, unique species that live in the fields and meadows include yellow-breasted chats, white-eyed vireos, field sparrows, yellowthroat warblers, indigo buntings, wild turkey, blue grosbeaks, orchard orioles, brown thrashers and prairie warblers.

Preserving these rare habitats as parkland allows us to get an exceptional glimpse into a historic natural landscape -- a rare treat in the Northern Virginia.

Photo captions:
[Top left] These flowering blackberries provide fruit and protective bramble groundcover for various field species.
[Center left] Red fox help to control rodent and rabbit populations through predation, but also eat fruit and berries.
[Bottom left] Indian Grass is a tall grass common to prairie or field settings that provides ground cover for small animals.
[Top center] The cardinal is the state bird of Virginia, and is commonly found throughout the state.
[Top right] Mildweed pods contain seeds attached to a silky "parachute" that helps to spread the seeds on the wind.
[Center right] The coyote is one of the few wild animals whose vocalizations are commonly heard. Their calls range from long mournful howls to short-high pitched yips.
[Bottom center] Female indigo buntings nest in meadows during their summer breeding season.