Cherokee lands are within one of North America’s major migratory bird routes where a high diversity of bird species aids the regeneration of culturally important plants. Historic changes in land management in North America were a leading cause of bird declines in the last 40 years. Currently, 103 avian species are documented within EBCI lands, 8 of which are federal species of concern. Sampling is conducted to monitor species diversity as well as use of EBCI lands by species of concern.
Management actions include:
- Breeding bird survey
- Northern saw-whet owl nest box monitoring
- Monitoring avian productivity and survivorship
- Golden-winged warbler habitat development/call-back surveys