Red Mountain Park BioBlitz Documents 440+ Species
Using the iNaturalist and eBird apps, participants documented plants, fungi, insects, birds, amphibians, mammals, and other wildlife across a variety of habitats. Observations were made independently or during one of four guided BioBlitz events held April 17-18, where participants explored the park alongside scientists, naturalists, and field researchers.
Public events focused on the southwest side of the park, where ongoing habitat restoration efforts include meadow restoration and expanding the Pollinator Garden with the help of volunteers. The park’s new accessible restroom facility served as a welcoming space for everyone to share discoveries and enjoy refreshments throughout the event.
Species Highlights
The BioBlitz documented remarkable biodiversity across multiple taxa groups, including:
| Taxa Group | Species Count |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Plants & Trees | 205+ |
| 🦋 Insects & Invertebrates | 121+ |
| 🦅 Birds | 51+ |
| 🕷️ Spiders & Arachnids | 17 |
| 🍄 Fungi & Lichens | 16 |
| 🐸 Amphibians | 9 |
| 🦎 Reptiles | 7 |
| 🐿️ Mammals | 6 |
| 🐌 Mullusks | 2 |
Notable Bird Species
- Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)
- Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
- Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
- Barred Owl (Strix varia)
- Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)
- Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)
Native Plants & Habitat Indicators
- Native pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
- Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)
Herps & Mammals
- Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
- Cope’s Gray Tree Frog (Hyla chrysoscelis) )
- Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
- Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
- Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
- Seminole Bat (Lasiurus seminolis)
Most Significant Species Found
- If the initial identification holds, an Alabama cherry (Prunus alabamensis) will be the most significant species found in the park. It has a S1 ranking in the state, meaning they are rare and under considerable conservation concern.
The full BioBlitz project can be viewed through iNaturalist by searching “Red Mountain Park BioBlitz 2026”. Community science platforms such as iNaturalist and eBird provide valuable tools for learning about biodiversity and supporting future research and conservation efforts.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this hands-on scientific exploration of Red Mountain Park’s biodiversity. Plans are underway for another Bioblitz next year, at one of our other greenspaces, Ruffner Mountain or Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. We hope to see you there.