f^orth ^"^^''■na State Uh 9^ to, OOOL' AUG 7 1984j Natural Areas Inventory of Carteret County, North Carolina John O. Fussell III Morehead City, N.C. Jeannie Wilson Hampton Mariners Museum Beaufort, N.C. JUNE 1983 North Carolina Coastal Energy Impact Program Office of Coastal Management North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development CEIPREP0RTN0.9 To order: Residents of North Carolina may receive a single copy of a publication free upon request. Non-residents may purchase publications for the prices listed. Because of the production costs involved, some of the publications carry a minimal charge regardless of residency. Prices for these are indicated in the price list as being "for all requests". When ordering publications please provide the publication number and title and enclose a check made payable to DNRCD. For a complete list of CEIP publications - or to place an order - contact: Coastal Energy Impact Program Office of Coastal Management N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611 Series Edited by James F. Smith Cover Design by Jill Miller NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA for The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Coastal Natural Area Inventory Project by John 0. Fussell III' and 2 Jeannie Wilson The preparation of this report was financed through a Coastal Energy Impact Program grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This CEIP grant was part of NOAA grant NA-79-AA-D-CZ097 . CEIP REPORT NO. 9 June 1983 1412 Shepard Street Morehead City, N. C. 28557 2 Hampton Mariners Museum Beaufort, N. C. 28516 200 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $14 15, or $7.08 per copy, 1^" ?;it^4".j;-"';i-T'',?'?!^'^WS!'^^ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Editor's Preface iv Introduction and General Discussion 1 Bibliography 5 National and Statewide Priority Areas 8 Carrot Island-Horse Island-Bird Shoal Complex 8 Cedar Island Marshes 28 Cedar Island-North Bay Barrier Island 36 Core Banks and Portsmouth Island 4 1 Croatan Pocosins 45 Minis Road Longleaf Pine Savanna and Pocosin 54 Patsy Pond Natural Area 80 Shackleford Bank 99 Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area 105 Regional Priority Areas 112 Atlantic Natural Area 113 Browns Island. 134 Emerald Isle Woods 150 Hadnot Creek on White Oak River 170 Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Pine Woodlands 178 Masontown Pocosin 183 North River Marshes 187 Pr ingle Road Carolina Bays 196 Sea Gate Woods 200 Union Point Pocosin 2 12 Walker's Mill Pond 217 Wildberry Woods 239 i LIST OF MAPS Page 1. Carteret County Natural Areas 7 2. Rachel Carson Sanctuary and Its Environs 9 3. Cedar Island - North Bay Barrier Island 40 4. Core Banks - Portsmouth 44 5. Croatan Forest Peat Deposits 50 6. Pocosin Natural Area 51 7. Pocosin Natural Area 52 8. Pocosin Natural Area 53 9. Minis Road Longleaf Pine Savannah Natural Area 73 10. Patsy Pond Natural Area 83 11. Patsy Pond Natural Area 97 12. Shackleford Banks 104 13. Roosevelt Natural Area 106 14. Ownership of Theodore Roosevelt Tract 108 15. Atlantic Natural Area 114 16. Atlantic Natural Area Significance Summary 1 !6 17. Brown's Island 135 18. Western Portion of Brown's Island 137 19. Emerald Isle Woods 15 1 20. Ownership Map of Emerald Isle Natural Area 153 21. Hadnot Creek 17 1 22. Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Pine Woodland 179 23. Masontown Pocosin 184 24. North River Marshes 188 ii LIST OF MAPS Page 25. Pringle Road Carolina Bays 197 26. Sea Gate Woods 201 27. Union Point Pocosin 213 28. Walkers Mill Pond Natural Area 220 29. Wildberry Woods 240 111 PREFACE The North Carolina Office of Coastal Management and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, both units of the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, have commissioned a series of natural areas inventories for ten counties in the coastal zone of this state. The Carteret County inventory was conducted in 1980 and was financed by a Coastal Energy Impact Program (CEIP) grant. CEIP funded the Carteret County survey because of the potential environ- mental impacts of peat mining and other energy-related development. The recommendations in this report by John Fussell and Jeannie Wilson are advisory. Their inventory and recommenda- tions are designed to help state and federal agencies, county officials, resource managers, landowners and developers work out effective land management and preservation mechanisms to protect the outstanding or exemplary natural areas de- scribed in this report. Agencies such as the N.C. Division of Environmental Management, Division of Land Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Environmental Protec- tion Agency should find this report useful, as may university researchers, private consultants, and private conservation groups. The Office of Coastal Management will use the report in assessing permit applications and for federal and state consistency reviews. Jeannie Wilson and John Fussell are experienced field biologists, with intimate familiarity with the ecological resources of the project region. The investigators were exceptionally well qualified to identify, describe, and evaluate the most outstanding natural areas of the project region. Project investigators were instructed to identify natural areas that contain highly unique, endangered, or rare natural features, or high-quality representations of relatively un- disturbed natural habitats, and which may be vulnerable to threats and damage from land use changes. Consequently, the investigators were advised not to report extensively on the large expanses of brackish and salt marshes, that fringe most of the county's shoreline, and which, for the most part, are ecosystems protected through state and federal regulatory programs. The investigators did not report on the barrier islands composing Cape Lookout National Seashore (Core, Portsmouth, and Shackelford islands). iv ■py^-.-^eTO^::^fff^y'^y,ro'j)tW!p)^^^ - Carteret County possesses extraordinary natural diversity. The original document compiled by Fussell and Wilson con- tained reports on 23 natural areas. It has been necessary to reduce that number to those areas considered to possess ecological resources of national, statewide, or regional significance. Descriptions for other sites of local interest are obtainable from the Natural Heritage Program. National and Statewide Significance (High) Carrot Island - Bird Shoals Cedar Island Refuge Natural Area Core Banks and Portsmouth Island Shackle ford Banks Croatan Pocosins Minis Road Savanna and Swales with Pocosins Patsy Pond Complex Roosevelt Natural Area Bogue Inlet Heronry Core Sound (Wainwright) Nesting Islands Dump Island Nesting Colony Morgan Island Nesting Colony Phillips and Annex Islands Nesting Colonies Regional Significance (Medium) Atlantic Natural Area Browns Island Emerald Island Woods Hadnot Creek Natural Area Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Woods Masontown Pocosin North River Marshes Pringle Road Carolina Bays Sea Gate Woods Union Point Pocosin Walkers Millpond Area Wildberry Woods White Oak River - Cedar Point Marshes The Office of Coastal Management, and the Coastal Resources Commission which it serves, implement the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CA^IA) . Under this statute, the North Carolina Coastal Management Plan has been prepared and approved. It includes the definition and designation of various Areas of Environ- mental Concern (AEC). In some cases, AECs coincide with natural areas that are herein recommended for preservation or special management. In come cases, AECs may encompass other areas — such as marsh zone wetlands — which are not extensively treated in this inventory. Peat mining has particular implications for these natural areas, some of which overlay exploitable peat deposits. Mining will remove natural vegetation, permanently alter the hydrology of the region, lower surface soil types from high organic histosoils to the clayey, sandy, and loamy soils typical of other parts of the outer coastal plain. Thus, natural communities, once mining is complete, almost certainly could never be re-established or reclaimed on mined-out land. Preservation of the best natural areas, and appropriate hydrological management, is necessary prior to and during active peat mining. The Natural Heritage Program is most pleased to have had this opportunity to conduct this project for the Office of Coastal Management. The inventory has revealed a number of high quality natural areas that possess natural elements of national and statewide priority and are important parts of North Carolina's natural diversity, Some of the identified sites were previously unknown and undocumented by the state's scientific community. The Natural Heritage Program hopes that these areas will be protected for the benefits of present and future genera- tions of North Carolinians and for the preservation of the state's truly exceptional natural heritage. Charles E. Roe, Coordinator N.C. Natural Heritage Program November 18, 1982 '-^^^^^n^'^-r^^'^rr-^,^-^^^,^^ ■~n?'T«""™'**ff'f^»iS»w"iS'iW7!«»a™owr INTRODUCTION Purposes of Study The goals of this study were to identify and map the most significant "natural areas" of the county. These include exemplary physical features, exemplary plant communities, and special habitats. Special habitats — habitats harboring rare species and/or notably large populations — may or may not be asso- ciated with exemplary physical features or plant communities. Also, we prepared reports, according to Natural Heritage Program specifications, on natural areas that had not previously been reported on. Brief Description of Carteret County Excluding water area, Carteret is a medium-sized (land area about 340,000 acres) but long (axis oriented generally WSW-ENE) county on the central North Carolina coast. Especially prominent physical features are the great length of barrier islands (including a Carolina cape — Cape Lookout); large shallow sounds and other estuaries); extensive tracts of salt marshes, especially the irregularly flooded marshes (ca. 38,600 acres), which are primarily in the NE half of the county; and extensive pocosins — poorly drained flatlands dominated by stunted pond pines (Pinus serotina) and several broadleaf evergreen shrubs. Also notable are several Pleistocene relict beach ridge complexes with their associated Carolina bays. These ridges support the majority of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands and savannahs found in the county. Until recent years, the great majority of the land area of the county was "undeveloped". As recently as 1965, most towns and communities, agriculture and sylviculture were largely restricted to well-drained sections of the mainland adjacent to the estuaries or larger drainage systems. Since then the barrier island Bogue Banks has been converted from a mostly undeveloped to a mostly developed island. In the last decade, vast areas of pocosin (which formerly totaled over 118,000 acres in the county) have been converted to sylviculture and agriculture. One agricultural enterprise alone, the Open Grounds Farm, has converted over 30,000 acres of pocosin to agriculture. Only about half of the original pocosin area of the county remains. Most of this is in Croatan National Forest in the western half of the county. - 2 - Public lands that contain significant areas of physical features, plant communities, and special habitats are Cape Lookout National Seashore (generally unaltered barrier islands); Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge (vast area of mostly unaltered irregularly-flooded salt marsh-brackish marsh) ; Croatan National Forest (Pleistocene relict beach ridge complex with Carolina bays, pocosin, freshwater ponds, exemplary longleaf pine savannah); Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area (Holocene relict beach ridge complex vegetated with maritime forest and other plant communities) . Previous Work on Natural Areas of County Being the site of one or more marine science labora- tories since the turn of the century, Carteret County has long had a wealth of literature dealing with the marine biology and ecology of the area. However, broad studies of terrestrial sites and land plants and animals have begun only recently. The broadest (in terms of area covered) studies we have seen are Engels (1952) (vertebrate animals of Shackleford Banks); Fisher (1962) (geology of all former inlet sites); Fisher (1967) (geology of relict beach ridges on mainland and barrier islands); Au (1969) (ecology, plant communities, plant species lists of Shackleford Banks); Godfrey and Godfrey (1976) (geology and ecology of Core and Shackleford Banks); Mixon and Pilkey (1976) (detailed geology of majority of county); Fussell (1978) (plant communities and terrestrial verebrate animals of Bogue Banks); Osborn and Custer (1978) (thorough censuses and maps of all wading bird colonies in 1975 and 1976); Synder (1978) (plant ecology, plant communities of portion of Croatan National Forest); Parnell and Soots (1979) (thorough censues and maps of all waterbird colonies in 1977). In addition to these major papers, we have in the past and as part of this study gone over many (probably hundreds) papers dealing either directly or indirectly with the geology and biology of the county. Our primary source of information regarding the numerous localities of endangered, threatened, and other rare species was the Natural Heritage Program's data bank computer printout of reported occurrences. Thirteen reports to the Natural Heritage Program on significant natural areas in the county - Fuller (1978), Wilson (1978), Wilson and Fuller (1978), Fussell and Wilson (1979), Otte and Whetstone (1979), Wilson and Fussell (1979), and Fussell and Wilson (1980) - have been done prior to this study. They include some of the highest priority areas; these reports are included with this study. 'f^?iy^^l^;W;»|):j;,T;;!:K'>^'^yjjg'B^^ - 3 - This Study This study was conducted from July to December 1980. During July and August, we did preliminary literature searches and mapping. We reviewed the Natural Heritage Program computer print-out on Carteret County, contacted several persons who are knowledgeable about different aspects of the natural areas of the county, reviewed orthophotoquads , 1971-1979 aerial photography, and topo- graphic quadrangles, and reviewed the unpublished Soil and Conservation Service soil survey of the county. We purchased several 1971ASCS aerial photographs for use in field work. Some persons contacted were: Dr. Gene Huntsman, Bob Simpson, Rick Carraway, and Mike Alford — all local outdoorsraen; Dr. Frank Schwartz — ichthyologist at UNC Institute of Marine Sciences; Dr. Julian — herpetologist at College of Charleston, has done much collecting in this county; John Collier — county land surveyor; Susan Schmidt — Office of Coastal Management at Morehead City; and Charles Johnson — invertebrate zoologist at the N.C. Marine Resources Center on Bogue Banks . WTiile designating and mapping tentative natural areas, we stressed areas in which significant physical features, plant communities, and special habitats were "clumped". We also thought in terms of a general cross-section of physical and biological features, e.g. what is the best example of Pleistocene beach ridges, Holocene beach ridges, Carolina bays, pocosins, etc. On 25 August, we made a systematic two hour flight over the county with the county surveyor, John Collier. We hoped to further evaluate potential naturel areas from the air and to ascertain if all the large roadless areas shown on the most recent State Forest Service map of the county (shows all roads) made in 1978 were still intact. Our flight accomplished the second goal but not the first; we found aerial photographs to be more helpful. From the first week of September through November, we surveyed 23 areas we had identified as being of potential interest. We compiled four long reports and 19 short reports on these areas. In general we made long reports for the most significant or most complex areas, and made short reports on the less significant or the "simplest" (although these might be significant) areas — e.g. a tract of pocosin that's primary value is in its large roadless extent. We made no report on one very signifi- cant area — the largest pocosin in Croatan National Forest. However, we did survey three adjacent smaller - 4 pocosins. We were not able to visit "Luken's Island" which is very inaccessible and which may be a highly significant area; we compiled a report on that area based on observations by a person who is very knowledgeable about the area. Approximately 4-5 days in the field were required for each area described by a long report. Also, for each of these areas, we included data previously collected by us at various times as early as 1970. Approximately one day in the field was spent at each of the areas described by a short report. From late October to December, we refined our maps of selected natural areas and compiled the reports. Approxi- mately 3-4 days were required for each of the long reports and one day for each of the short reports. Our final report includes: 1) a set of topographic quadrangles and a set of orthcphotoquads , each with primary physical features, plant communities, and special habitats mapped; 2) a "key" describing primary values and a general rating of all mapped areas; 3) copies of our 13 previous reports on natural areas of the county; 4) our 23 reports prepared for this study. Recommendat ions Descriptions of the county's natural areas of greatest ecological significance are included in this document. These are (see Map 1): National and Statewide Priority Areas Carrot Island-Horse Island-Bird Shoal Complex Cedar Island Marshes Cedar Island-North Bay Barrier Island Core Banks and Portsmouth Island Croatan Pocosins Minis Road Longleaf Pine Savanna and Pocosin Patsy Pond Natural Area Shackle ford Bank Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area Regional Priority Areas Atlantic Natural Area Browns Island Emerald Island Woods Hadnot Creek on White Oak River Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Pine Woodlands Masontown Pocosin North River Marshes Pr ingle Road Carolina Bays Sea Gate Woods Union Point Pocosin Walker's Mill Pond Wildberry Woods :''^^'^^^!?5^W^?-^'-i^''^i^V:J.'-^tl''^>^f>?t^^T?^^^:NTrT^TWW^ay^'TW?i!stiiA - 5 - Information on other sites reported on by Fussell and Wilson or others may be obtained on request from the Natural Heritage Program, NC DNRCD. These sites include: Alligator Tram Road Loblolly Pine Forest Crow Hill (Huntley's) Impoundment Fort Macon Park Natural Area Grantsboro "Shoreline" Hunter's Creek Jarrett Bay Waterfowl Impoundment Little Deep Creek Road Pocosin Luken's Island Lake Ellis-Simon Sweet Gum Forest Nine Foot Road Ponds Northwest Prong of Newport River Southwest Prong of Newport River U.S. Forest Service Road 177 Longleaf Pine Woodland Ward's Creek Marshes White Oak River and Cedar Point Marsh Wolf Swamp Lastly, in Map 1, we have shaded the most significant colonial waterbird colonies in the county, i.e. those having over 500 nests of breeding brown pelicans (endangered). Details about these colonies are in the "key" accompanying the topographic quadrangles. BIBLIOGRAPHY Au, S-F. 1969. Vegetation and Ecological Processes on Shackleford Banks, North Carolina. PhD. dissertation. Duke Univ. Engels, W.W. 1952. Vertebrate fauna of North Carolina coastal islands II. Shackleford Banks. Am. Midi . Nat . 47:702-742. Fisher, J.J. 1962. Geomorphic Expression of Former Inlets along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Masters thesis. UNC-Chapel Hill. Fisher, J.J. 1967. Development Pattern of Relict Beach Ridges, Outer Banks Barrier Chain, N.C. PhD. dissertation. UNC-Chapel Hill. Fussell, J.O. 1978. Bogue Banks Study — Bogue Banks, North Carolina: A Description of Vegetative Communities and Annotated Lists of Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals, and Endangered and Threatened Species. N.C. Depart, of Admin., Off. of Marine Affairs. Godfrey, P.J. and M.M, Godfrey. 1976. Barrier Island Ecology of Cape Lookout National Seashore and Vicinity, North Carolina. Natl. Park Serv. Scient. Monog. Series No. 9. - 6 - Mixon, R.B. and O.H. Pikley. 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, North Carolina. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 859. Osborn, R.G. and T.W. Custer. 1978. Herons and their Allies: Atlas of Atlantic Coast Colonies, 1975 and 1976. U.S. Depart, of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Parnell, J.F. and R.F. Soots. 1979. Atlas of Colonial Water- birds of North Carolina Estuaries. UNC Sea Grant Publ. 78-10. Snyder, J. 1978. Analysis of Coastal Plain Vegetation, Croatan National Forest, North Carolina. Veroff. Geobot. Inst. ETH Stiftung Ruble, Zurick 69. Heft. 40-113. , Soots, R. and J. Parnell. 1979. Inland Heronries of North Carolina. Chat 43: 10-15. Soil Conservation Service, USDA. 1979. Soil Survey of , Carteret County, N.C. (interim report). Carrot Island-Horse Island-Bird Shoal Complex Name of Area: Carrot Island, Horse Island, Bird Shoal, and associated spoil islands. County: Carteret Location Description: The area covered by this report is all high land and all intertidal land (mud and sand flats and marshes) that is bounded by Taylor Creek on the north, North River on the east, Beaufort Inlet on the south, and Bulkhead Channel on the west. (See Map 2.) Topographic Quadrangle Map: Beaufort and Markers Island. Ownership: Recently acquired by the State of North Carolina for management by the N.C. Office of Coastal Management as the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Sanctuary. Report Prepared by: Jeannie Wilson and John 0. Fussell, III. Date: August 1979 Other persons knowledgeable about site: JoAnne Powell, Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N.C. 28516. Chairman of the Carteret County Environmental Resources Comm. Several individuals at the Duke University Marine Labora- tory and the National Marine Fisheries Laboratory are knowledgeable about the Bird Shoal area. Perhaps the two most notable are: Dr. John Costlow (Director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory) . He was instrumental in securing funds for the purchase of the Carrot Island area to protect it from development. One of Dr. Costlow's students in the "homosapiens and the marine environment" course. Spring 1979, Lisa Blumenthal, prepared a report on management guidelines for the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island area; and Dr. William Kirby-Smith (on the staff at Duke University Marine Laboratory) . He is knowledgeable about the marine invertebrates of the Bird Shoal area. Two other persons that are knowledgeable about the site, because of their involvement in the effort to protect Carrot Island from development and the effort to procure funds to purchase it, are: James King, 1400 Front St., Beaufort, He was the leader of the citizens group that organized to protect Carrot .j Island; and *' -8- r"■"7f^7"'»SftT'W5?^^TW=lW^'*■^tl'?W!^W?^ MAP 2: THE RACHEL CARSON SANCTUARY AND ITS ENVIRONS ' '-'''-- " ' -^'' " CAPE LOOKOUT 10 - Warren Davis, Beaufort attorney. He was the attorney who represented the above citizens group. Several other long-time residents of the Beaufort bare are knowledgeable about the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island area, particularly its human history, as the kinds of and degrees of human influences on the area. One such person is: Claude Guthrie, 213 Pollock St., Beaufort, N.C. (former custodian at the National Marine Fisheries Laboratory). Current Use and Protection Status: 1. Current uses: a) Scientific Research. Because of the proximity of Duke University Marine Laboratory and the National Marine Fisheries Laboratory (and also the U.N.C. Institute of Marine Sciences, Morhead City), the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island area, as well as surrounding estuarine areas, is among the bio- logically most studied estuarine sites in the world. Many published scientific papers were based on research done on the Bird Shoal area. b) Education. Scores (maybe hundreds) of organized groups use Bird Shoal for field trips every year. These range from elementary school age to adults. Most field trips are associated with Duke University Marine Laboratory or the Hampton Mariners Museum. c) Recreation. Bird Shoal and the associated spoil areas are used for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and shell- collecting. These activities are mainly restricted to the period from May to September. Most fishing and much shell- fishing is recreational rather than commercial. There is some hunting for rails (marsh hens) in autumn, but very little duck hunting (mostly in the Carrot Island-Horse Island area). Each year, several persons visit Bird Shoal- Carrot Island to go bird-watching. d) Esthetic Value. This sort of value is hard to evaluate. However, probably most Beaufort residents would agree that the "open space" of the Bird Shoal area to the south greatly enhances the "atmosphere" of the Beaufort waterfront. Actually, esthetics was probably the motiva- tion for most Beaufort citizens' involvement in the effort to protect Bird Shoal-Carrot Island from development. e) A strip along the north and west sides of Bird Shoal and Carrot Island - i.e. along Taylor Creek and Bulkhead Channel - has been used regularly for the deposition of spoil material when these water bodies are dredged. f) An ostensibly minor, but probably ecologically important, use of the Bird-Shoal-Carrot Island area is as a grazing area for several privately owned horses (at least they are claimed to have owners). - 11 g) The Bird Shoal area is used to some extent by the conrraercial fishery. Considerable "clam-kicking" was obvious on Bird Shoal in the winter 1978-1979. Some oystering is done in the area near Horse Island and a few nets are often set in this area. In fall "hauling for mullet" is done on the outer beach of Bird Shoal. The above are direct contri- butions of Bird Shoal-Carrot Island to the commercial fishery. Of course, the area's major contribution to the commercial fishery would be more indirect, i.e. as a productive nursery ground (mainly the marsh and eelgrass areas) for species that are harvested elsewhere. 2. Protection Status: The State of North Carolina will have acquired by the Fall of 1983 approximately 2,025 acres of islands, marshes, intertidal flats, tidal creeks, and shallow estuarine waters. Land areas include Carrot Island, Horse Island, Bird Shoal and Town Marsh. A Management Plan has been developed and reviewed extensively by Beaufort citizens, scientists and local officials. It will be submitted by July 1, 1983 to the Federal Office (OCRM) for approval. Contact Person: Sanctuary Coordinator Office of Coastal Management Raleigh, N. C. 27611 919/733-2293 Vegetation and Plant Communities: The "original" topography of the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island area, amplified by spoiling operations of this century, has contributed to a large diversity of habitats in a relatively small area. There are: 1) deep water areas adjacent to Bird Shoal-Carrot Island, i.e. Beaufort Inlet, Bulkhead Channel, Taylor Creek, and North River. 2) some deep water (not exposed by tides) areas within the study site, i.e. the deeper tidal creeks, the deeper open water near Horse Island, and the relatively deep "bay" at the west end of Bird Shoal. These areas have some eelgrass (Zostera marina) growth, but it appears to be sparse. 35 ^oyster rocks. There is also a small section of rock breakwater. 4) mud flats. Flats are most muddy adjacent to Horse Island and at the west end of Bird Shoal. At the last loca- tion, the muddiness is probably largely due to spoiling operations in this century. 5) sand flats. The flats of Bird Shoal near Beaufort Inlet, especially in the southeastern section of the shoals, are sandy. This broad area of sand flats may be the largest area of intertidal sand flats in the state. 12 6) the inlet beach. This is the strip of slightly elevated land that lies between the intertidal section of Bird Shoal and the inlet. It is submerged only by extreme tides. In the last 3 or 4 years, this strip of land has begun to "build up" and some small sea oats (Uniola paniculata) dunes have developed. 7) Spartina alternif lora marshes. Most Spartina alternif lora is grazed intensively by the horses. The only ungrazed areas are the deeper areas of Town Marsh and the marshes of Carrot Island. 8) High marsh-low meadow areas are common along the lower slopes of the spoil sites. Species composition changes with elevation. Juncus roemerianus , Spartina patens , and Fimbristylis spadicea adjacent to the Spartina alternif lora, changes to Andropogon virginicus and other species further up the slopes. 9) maritime shrub thicket. This is most common on dredge spoil along the north side of Carrot Island. However, there is also shrub thicket on the natural ridge along the south side of Carrot Island. Dominant shrub thicket species are red cedar ( Juniperus virginiana) , live oak (Quercus virginiana) , and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) . The "natural" shrub thicket appears to have a greater species diversity than the spoil shrub thicket and at least one species that doesn't occur in the spoil shrub thicket-palmetto (Sabal minor) . 10) the sparsely vegetated domes of the spoil sites. The most common plants here are little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius ) and camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillar is) . 11) non-tidal pools. Most of these may dry up occasionally and the salinity probably varies greatly. Some have a growth of widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) , These pools are mostly restricted to the spoil areas, but there is a natural one on Horse Island. Physical Features: The primary physical features of Bird Shoal-Carrot Island- Horse Island complex are: 1) the long strip of spoil material (up to 10-15 feet in elevation) that stretches from North River along Taylor Creek and the south toward Beaufort Inlet. This strip is broken only at two points - the tidal creek near the west end of Carrot Island and the tidal creek through Town Marsh. 2) the vast intertidal flat that makes up much of the central and southern part of the complex. 3) the narrow "beach" that separates the intertidal flat from Beaufort Inlet. 4) the remnant of Town Marsh (Spartina alternif lora) at the northwest end of the complex and the fairly large expanse of Spartina alterniflora marsh at Carrot Island. 5) the low ridge vegetated with shrub thicket hammocks along the south side of Carrot Island. This ridge is on old (1800's) charts. Perhaps it is a relict beach ridge. The ridge is sand on the surface. It would be interesting to know if the sand continues down, or if it is only along the immediate surface with mud or marsh peat just below it. 13 - Rare Plants and Animals: Plants: Probably none. Marine invertebrates: Annelida Polychaeta Chaetopterus variopedatus Special concern Parchment tube worm Mollusca Gastropoda Busycon canaliculatum Special concern Channeled whelk Busycon carica Special concern Knobbed whelk Special concern Busycon contrarium Special concern Lightning whelk Pelecypoda Panopea bitruncata Special concern Atlantic geoduck-one record at Bird Shoal Reptiles and Amphibians: Atlantic Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta caretta, (endangered in North Carolina) probably occur, at least occasionally, in the adjacent inlet, and they might rarely nest on the inlet beach of Bird Shoal. Birds: Species Brown pelican Great blue heron Great egret Snowy egret Litcle blue heron Louisiana heron Black-crowned night heron Yellow-crowned night neron American bittern Glossy ibis Wliite ibis Black duck Turkey vul*:iire Marsh hawk Osprey Peregrine falcon Merlin Piping plovi^r 'v i 1 , -on ' s pi over Gull-billed tern Gi million tern Least tern Royal tern Sandwich, tern Black skimmer Barn owl Purple martin B L a c k- a n d Wli i t e wa r b 1 e r Prothonotary warbler Yellow warbler - 14 - Status at Bird Shoal perm . perm. perm . perm. perm . perm. perm. summe win te rare perm. VI i n t e wine V > wintt' s unmie fall fall p(.:riil. sunniie sumru s unim . suiim . perm, trans perm, win te s umme trans fall fall res res res res res res res r re r vi V L s i r i-s r vi r V i r re r r^.: tran t ran res r ro res res res res rt.>s r re r re ienL tran trail tant nt s Kant s i t a n t d.Mit win \; J n . ma y n s . ncs . some . some . ne s t .St-iitl 1 s in N.C ._ Endangered Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Spec ia 1 concern Special concern Special concern Undetermined Special c(3ncern Special ccncern Spec ) nl concern Threat I -nod Undo term i nod Special concern tor VIS t . vis. est ts times nests times nests Endangered some tintes s . s . s . s . Threatened Special concern Special concern Spec, concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern nests Spec, conce.rn Special concern Special concern llnde termini^'d Special concern Special concern Publications and Scientiiic References: Gooper, J.E., S.S. Robinson, and J.I). Fuuderburg (eds). Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of Nortli Garolina N.C. ^!useum of Natural History. Kaleigli. Fussellj J. 1^70. Annotated Gliecklist of the Birds of the Bird Shoal-Garrot Island-Horse Island complex. unpublished manuscript, (based on approximately 150 visits to the area 1971-1976). Radford, \.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual oftiie Vascular Flora of the Garolinas. UNG press. Chapel Hill - 15 - Flora Species List: Eol grass : Zostt^m ni.irina Pools on Spoil: Bacopa monniori Ruppia maritima Boacli : Herbs: Auiarantlius pumiliis ALripiex j^atiila Cakiie edentula or liarperi? Euphorbia polygonifol ia Sal sola knli Sosuviuin por tuLicas trum Snaedu linearis Grain i nc i ds : Fiuibr is tyl is spadicea Spartina patens Uniola pan icu Lata Dimes and sanay soil (spoil) : Slirubs : Croton punetatus Iva imbricata Myrica cerifera Tamarix gallica Yucca .'iloi folia Vines Calystegia sepiuiii Cynanchiim palustre Ipomoea sagittata Rubus trivia lis Smilax auri^ul:!ta S tr o plios ty 1g s he 1 vo 1 a Herbs Achillea uiille folium Cassia fasciculata Chenopodiuin albun C. ambro!-'. ioides ec Igrass bacopa widgeon 'fS.c^i^^ seabcach amaranth orach sea rocket .'.ea .Tpiirgf"' Russian t!'. is tie sea purslane sea L)lite Fiinbr is tyl i s salt niarj.h c^ird ^.ras: Svi'a oats croton seaside elder wnx myrtle salt cedar Spaiiish bayonc>t he d ge b i n d we e d cyi^anchum morning glory devyberry greenbriar, catbriar sea bean mil foil , varro\v partidge pea lanb ' s quarters Mr-xican tea - 16- Herbs : Cnidoscoius sLiiimlosus Diodia tores Erigercn canadensis Euphorbia polygonif olia Gaillardia pulchella Heterothcca subaxillaris llydrocotyle bonariensls Lactuca sp. Lepidium virginicuni Lippia nodiflora Medicago lupnlina Melilotns alba Monarda punctata Oenothera humifusa 0. laciniata Opuntia drummondii Oxali-s dillonii Paronychia riparia Physalis viscosa Sb-p. mari Phytolacca americana Plajitago aristata P. lancoolata Portulaca oleracca Runii'X act! tosc 11a Sabatia stellaris SolanuTi gracile Solidago sempervirens Tri folium canipestre T. re pens Xanthium s truniariiini sand nettle diodia horsewoed sea spurge Gaillardia camphorweod pennywort wild lettuce poor man ' i. pepper lippia black medicago sweet white clover bee-balm evening primrose evening primrose prickly pear sour grass paronychia tima ground cherry poke plantai n pi an ta i n sea purslane sheep sorrei sabatia nightshaile seaside goldeurod low tiop clover clover cocklebur Gr amino ids : Andropogon scoparius Gcnchrus longispinus C. tribuloides Cynodon dactylon Muhlenberg ia capillaris Setaria geniculata Spartina patens Uniola paniculata Salt marsh : Herbs: little blu,^ stera sand spurs sand spurs Bermuda ^;rass muhly foxtail grass salt meadow hay sea oats Agalinis niaritima Atrip] ex pa tula Limoni urn carol in i an am Salicornia virginica Spiranthes vernalis gerardi a orach sea lavendar glasswor L spring lady's tresses 17 - Grami.no ids : Distichlis spiccita Fimbr is ty 1 is spacicLa Juncus roor.ierianus SparLina altcrni flora S . pa ti'iKS High Marsh Mcachjw (on spoil) Shrubs : sail gras.'; f imbriy fy Lis black ncc^dlerush salt marsh cordgrass salt: nic:adow hav Baccliaris ha 1 iinif oi ia Borrichia f rutenccns Iva frutescous Kos tele tskya vir;.; i nirn ground so l-tireu , cot l:onbush oca ox-c;yo marsh elri.-r seashore -iiallow Vinos Mclothria p^jndula M i ka n i a s c and ens Herbs c rec p I ng cu :u:;u-)e r c limbLng her.ipwi'ed Aster teniiiiolius lari r Atriplex patula ora Centella asiatica cen Eupatorium capil liio"' ivim tho Galium hispidulum bed Lythxrum line a re loo Piuchea foetida mar Portulace oieracoa sea Salicornia virgin ica gla Samolus parviflorus wat Suaeda • 1 inearis sea sh asti-r ch tella rougliv/ort s trav.' sestr 1 fe sh ileabane purs lane ssvjor L er pimpernel blite Gr amino ids : Andropogon ^irginicus G I a d L 1 un j ama i c e ri s ^^ E 1 ymn :5 v i r g i n i c u s Finbr i s ty ] i s spadicea PanicLim virgatum Scirpns robustus Setaria geniculata Spartina patens ^lar i I' iiiK" Shru!) Thicket: brooriisedge rye grass t iiiibr .i. s tvl is pan Lc grass bulrush fo": tail grass i^a 1 t meadow hay Trees : Dies py L"us V i rg in 1 ana Jiui:perus virgiaiana Moras alba Osman t Ivas ame r ic ana Fe' sea borbonia pers 1 ni. ncyn red ced.jr v;h i tt> mulberry wild ■-;lvie red bay - 18 Trees Pinus taeda Prunus aagustifolia P. caroliniana Quercus virginiana Salix caroliniana Xanthoxylum clava-Iierculis Shrubs Aralia spinosa Baccharis halimifolia Bumelia lycioides Hypericum hypericoides Ilex vomitoria LigusCrum japonicurn Myrica cerifora Pittosporum tobira Rhus copal lina Sabal minor Yucca gloriosa Callicarpa americana Vines Ampelopsis arborea Gel somi um semperv irons Lon ic e ra no aipe rv irons Molothri ■ pendula Pnssi flora lutoa Rhus r ad ^' cans Sniilax bona-nox S. rotundilolia Vitis rotundifolia Horbs: Galium liispiJuium Hydrocotylo bonarieusis Graminoids Elymus virginicus Pan i cum VI rga tum loblolly pine Chickasaw plum laurel cherry live oak Carolina willow hercules club, toothache tree hercules club groundsel- tree , buckthorn St. John's v7ort yaupon privet wax myrtle pittosporum winged sumac palmetto yucca Ame r i c a n beauty cottonbush b.'rry pep per viae yellow jess ami no c o r ^; 1 h < J n o y s u del o creeping cucumber passion flower poison ivy greenbriar, catbri ir greenbriar, catbrLar muscadine grape beds traw pennywort rye grass panic grass Ferns : Asplenium platyneuron ebony spieenwort - 19 - Fauna Species List: Airphibians : Possibly none. There is litLle cr no fr -^h v.'oter. Re [) t i 1 e s : We have observed only two r.pecies: Carolina diamondback terrapin Malacloniys terrapin c«^ntrata common in tidal creeks Corn snake Elaphe guLtaLa guttata Species that are possible or probable: Snapping turtle Chelydra s>.!rpentina Atlantic loggerhead Carctta caretta caretta Grcon aiiole Anolis carol inen.-^is oaroi inensis Six-lined racerunner Chemidopliorus sexlineatus sexlineatus Eastern glass lizard Ophisaurus ventral is Northern black racer Coluber constrictor constrictor Rough green snake Ophcodrys ai'stivus II Green3sh" rat snake Elapho ob^oleta obsoleta X E. obsoleta quadrivit tata MaiiuTu'ils : Wo have obsetved: River otter Lutra canadensis Cray fox Urocyon cinereoargeaLe s Norway rat Rattus norvegicus Marsh i"abbit Sylvilagus palustris ii.irse ■ Eiiuus caballus Arlantic bottlenos(> uolpliin Tursiops tvuncatus Possible or probable are: Raccoon Procyon loror Eastern h.irvest mouse Reithrodon tomy:^ iiuranlis Rice rat Oryzoniys palustris Meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus - 20 - B irds Species Common loon Red-throated ioon Horned grebe Pied-billed grebe Audubon ' s shearwa ter Wliitc pelican Brown pelican Double-crested cormorant Great blue heron Green heron Little blue heron Cnttle egret Reddish egret Great egret Siiov/y egret i^ouisiana heron Black-crowned night heron Yellow-crowned night Vieron Least bittern American bittern Glossy ibis VJhito ibis Canada goose Snow goose I'.allard Black dick Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal American \-yigeon Northern shioveler Greater scaup Lesser scaup Common goldeneye Bill" ileliead Ruddy duck Hooded merganser R ■ d-breas ted merganser Turkey vulture Sliarp- shinned hawk Marsh hawk Osprey Peregrine falcon Merlin American kestrel Bobwhite Clapper rail Virginia rail Sora American coot American oys tercatcher Status winter resident winter resident Winter resident winter resident one record twe* records permanent resident winter resident permanent resident summer resident-nests permanent resident summer visitant one record permanent resident permanent resident permanent resident permanent resident summer resident summer resident winter vis i tant rare visitant permanent resident wi nter visi t int one record Vi/inter visitant winter visitant winter visitant winter visitant transient winter visitant transient winter visitant winter visi tant v;intcM; visitant will tor ri'sident win tor visi tant wintei resident winter resident winter A^isitant fall transient , winter resident summer resident fall transient, winter visitant fall transient, v\finter visitant winter resident permanent resident-nes ts permanent resident-nests fall transient transient fall transient permanent resident-nests winter resident 21 Species Status Semipalma ted plovor Piping plover Wilson's plover Killdeer giack-bellied plover Ruddy turn stone Anerican woodcock i.'.omnion snipe Lcnig-billcd curlew Whimbre 1 Upland sandpiper Spotted sandpiper Willet Greater ycllowlegs Lesser ye How legs Rod knot Purple sandpiper R'ctoral sandpij)er Wlii t(!-rurnped sandpiper Ta- a s t s a n d p i p e r Curlew sandpiper Ounl i n Shor t-bi 1 leu dowi tche r Stilt sandpiper Semi pa 1 raa te d s a nd p ipe r western sandpiper Marbled godwit Hudsonian godv.'it Sanderlmg American avocet VJil son's phalarope r^or tliern ]jlialaropo. Parasitic Jaeger Glaucous gull Great black-backed gull iierrin!^ gijl^ Ri -"ig-bi 1 led gu 1 1 uli Laughing gull ijonaparte's gull Gu ] 1-bil led tern Forster's tern Commcni t'.'rn. Leas I; tern !-loy:il tern Sandv/irli tern Caspian tern iilack tern Black skiramer Rock dove Mourning dove Barn owl I'-r/'i-l^j/'o) pcrmantjut resident permanent resident-may nest summer resident-nests winter resident permanent resident permanent resident winter \'isitant w i n tor vi s i taut wiiiLi,- r re:; i den L yv -i w. Lrans ient one record trans i(.>n t permanent res ident-nes ts permanent resident transient permanent resident one record trans lent transient winter resident one record winter rcsicL'nt winter v i s L tan t transient trans ient winti^r re., ident \v inter re ,-; i d e n t two records permanent resident one record one record one record one recorci one record ncr'mancMit res L. ient permanen t res idea L perm.'.ncMit res ident permanen t res icJen t winter r.-s ident summer res ident-sometir'tis ne;;Ls permanent res ident-some times nestr^ summer res ident- some t i.mes nests sumiiier res ide'nt-nes ts permanent res idem t ransient la L 1 trans ient fall trans ieiit pc^rnant-nt re sident-some times nests perm-men t resident pe r ma n e n t re s i d c ri t - n e s t s u'inter resident - 22 - Species Short-eared owl Chuck-will's widow Common nighthawk Chimney swiit Belted kingfisher Coniraon flicker Yellow-bellied sapsucker Eastern kingbird Great: crested llycaLcner Tree swallow Bank swallow Rough-winged swallow Barn swallov; Purple martin Blue jay Common crow Fish crow House wren Carolina wren Long-billed marsh wren Short-billed marsn wren Mockingbird Croy catbird Brown thrashiir z\merican ro]''in Hermit thrush Rubv-crowned kinglet Water pipit Cedar waxwing Loggerhead shrike Starling R.ed-oyed vireo Black-and-white warbler Prothonotary warbler Orange-crowned warbler Northern pari;la Yellow warbler Yellow-rumped warbler Prairie warbler Palm warbler Common yellowthroat American redstart Bobolink Eastern meadowlark Rod-v^;inged blackbird Boat-tailed grackle Common gracklc Cardinal Painted buntiug Status winter visitant summer resident? mc y nest? summer resident- nes Ls summer resident winter resident fail tr ;nsient winter visitant fall transient fall trans iout fall transient fall transient summer resident summer resident summer resident permanent rt^sid.- at permanent resident permanent reside nt- -probably nests ; winter resident permanent resident- -nes ts winter resident winter resident permanent reside nt- -nrsts permanent res idc nt- -ncsLs perni.inv'iit r>;s ident- -nests i winter visitant winter visitant winter visitant winter resident winter visitant rare visitant permanent resident fall transient trans i ent fall transient winter resident fail transient f al 1 transient winter resident sumiaer lesident- ■nests j fall transient v;inter resident fall transient [( fal 1 transient 1 permaiient residt nt- -nests 1 permanent residt nt- -nests 1 p^'rmanent reside iit- -nests 1 s u nim.e r r e s i J e n t - -probably nestt; ' permanent resident- -nests summer resident- ■ne ,' its !, 1 - 23 - Species Purple £inch pine siskin American goldfinch Rufous-sided towhee Savannah sparrow Sharp-tailed sparrow Seaside sparrow Field sparrow White-throated sparrow Swamp sparrow Song sparrow Snow bunting Status winter visitant winter visitant winter visitant permanent resident-nests winter resident winter resident permanent resident-nests v^7inter visitant winter resident winter resident winter resident winter visitant -24 - Ecological Significance: 1) The Carrot Island-Bird Shoal area is a significant "field laboratory". It is used heavily for scientific research and education. Scientific references to Bird Shoal, go back to at least 1870. 2) Within the complex, there is one area that can be considered a natural area. It is the ridge of maritime shrub thicket along the south side of Carrot Island, Perhaps this is a relict beach ridge. 3) The Bird Shoal complex is notable for the large number of habitats that occur in relative proximity and especially for the large number of wetland habitats. Such wetland habitats include the inlet beach, oyster rocks, sand flats, mud flats, non-tidal pools, and grazed and ungrazed salt marshes. 4) The numbers of, diversity of, and notable species of marine invertebrates that occur at the Bird Shoal complex are related to the diversity of wetland habitats and to the expanse of intertidal flats. The expanse of intertidal sand flats especially adds to Carrot Island-Bird Shoal's uniqueness. Elsewhere in North Carolina, there are often expanses of intertidal sand flats on the updrift side of inlets, but these are temporary, quickly building into areas that are mostly above the tide's influence. 5) The Carrot Island-Bird Shoal complex is notable as a major roosting area for waterbirds, and for having a rich diversity of shorebirds. It has probably the richest diversity of intertidal shorebirds of any area in North Carolina. Although there is relatively little waterbird nesting on the Carrot Island-Bird Shoal complex, it is an important feeding area for young birds, from nesting sites near Cape Lookout, near Fort Macon, and in the lower Newport River, At certain times of the year. Carrot Island-Bird Shoal serves as a roosting area for thousands of birds. Particu- larly large concentrations exist in the fall. The narrow inlet beach is the main roosting area. A notable roosting use of Carrot Island-Bird Shoal is by thousands of Common terns in late September. These birds are apparently migrating southward offshore, and at mid-day, there may be none on the islands. However, about 1-2 hours before sunset, they begin streaming into the islands to roost, and at sunset, there may be thousands present. Carrot Island-Bird Shoal may be ex- tremely valuable to such migrating birds. Several species of intertidal shorebirds are notable: There are large wintering populations of Dunlins, Short- billed dowitchers, and Western sandpipers. Bird Shoal is an important feeding area for Wilson's plovers (special concern) in summer and Piping plovers (special concern) in winter. Carrot Island-Bird Shoal may have the largest wintering population of Piping plovers along the entire east coast (based on Audubon Christmas Bird Counts), - 25 - 6) The complex is used by at least two endangered species, two threatened species, and 29 species of special concern. The endangered Brown pelican is a resident using the area for feeding and roosting. The Peregrine falcon is a fall transient/winter visitant. In December 1978, a Peregrine falcon was resident for at least 2 weeks. 7) The complex is important to the esthetic appeal of Beaufort . Management Recommendations: In suggesting management recomjnendations for the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island-Horse Island complex, it is important to stress that the primary biological values of the complex are due to its diversity of wetland habitats and large expanses of mud and sand flats, which have resulted largely from human activities. There is no inconsistency in using management in "preserving" these values. 1) The natural area (the low ridge of shrub thicket) should be recognized as such and protected from alteration. 2) The broad expanse of intertidal mud and sand flats should be maintained. There may be two threats to the con- tinued existence of this expanse of flats: a) development of the shoals by soil build-up to elevations that are not intertidal. This is apparently slowly happening now. It appears that the sand that is causing the increase in elevation is coming from the erosion of the large spoil mound at the southwest corner of the complex. Spoil from future dredging of Bulkhead Channel should be placed on Radio Island, not on the complex. Spoil material along Taylor Creek, at its present elevation, is not so likely to add to the elevation of Carrot Island-Bird Shoal, but that spoil could "flood" onto the islands during the storm tides of a hurricane. Probably, no further deposition of spoil material on the Bird Shoal-Carrot Island-Horse Island complex is desirable. b) loss of the sand flat and mud flat habitat by succession to salt marshes. Formerly, Carrot Island- Bird Shoal was subjected to more wave and current action and this was probably the reason salt marshes did not develop. In the last two decades, the development of the elevated inlet beach has created favorable conditions for marsh development. Probably, the horses on Carrot Island-Bird Shoal have been important in preventing marsh succession. (No one who has watched a horse on these islands feed for five minutes would doubt it!). Thus, in this respect, the presence of the horses is desirable. 3) The effect of the horses on the ecology of the complex should be studied (see above). For many people, horses add to the esthetic appeal of the complex. 4) It should be assumed that the complex is not generally good nesting habitat for waterbirds, but some habitat modifi- cation might be appropriate. Sites having nesting Least terns (of special concern), Wilson's plovers (Special concern), - 26 - and Piping plovers (special concern) are worthy of protection (by posting signs etc.). A colony of almost 100 Least terns on the inlet beach in 1979 apparently had almost no nesting success, and this might have been the result of people who did not realize they were walking through a nesting colony. The Painted bunting, which is rapidly losing nesting habitat in the state, ks a species for which habitat maintenance/ improvement along the spoil site shrub thickets would be appropriate. 5) At current rates of visitation (considering kinds of visitation and the seasons of visitation), people do not detract greatly from the primary values of the domplex. This will probably continue to be true as long as permanent structures do not exist in the complex. - 27 - Addenda to Bird Shoal-Carrot Island report: Soil Information: Higher ground: Newhan-Carteret complex, 0-30 % slopes This is a very sandy soil that has a droughty condition. It is not suitable for development, because of drought, narrow dune ridges, and the soil's tendency to shift. Typical species found on this soil type are Uniola paniculata and Ammophila breviligulata. Marsh: Carteret soils, high phase These are regularly flooded sandy soils with an excess concentration of salt. It is not suitable for development or agriculture . Reference : Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1979. Soil Survey Interim Report, Carteret County, North Carolina (advance copy, subject to change). Cedar Island Marshes Name of Area: Cedar Island Marshes County: Carteret Location Description: The Cedar Island Marshes are located in the northeastern section of Carteret County. They are bounded by Long Ray and West Bay (arms of Pamlico Sound) to the northwest and north, Cedar Island to the northeast, Core Sound and Thorofare Bay to the southeast, and the Carteret County mainland to the southwest. See Map 1. Topographic Quadrangle Map: Atlantic & Long Bay Ownership: Most of the area of the Cedar Island Marshes (which are about 7000 acres in extent) is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Total acreage owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service is 9190.6 acres, but some of this acreage is high land at Cedar Island.) A significant area of the south- western section of the marshes is owned by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Bayland Corporation, but the acreage is hard to estimate because of the poor resolution of the tax maps. We estimate that the Marine Corps owns approximately 500 acres (northwest of N.C. 12) and that the Bayland Corp- oration owns approximately 500 acres (southeast of N.C. 12). The address of the Bayland Corporation is Fayetteville , N.C. Report Prepared by: John Fussell, III and Jeannie Wilson Date: August 1979 Other Persons Knowledgeable about Site: Mr. Otto Florschutz U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington, N.C. Mr. Dave Rackley Ecological Services Division U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Raleigh, N.C. Mr. Ray Whitmore Assistant Refuge Manager Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge Swanquarter, N.C. -28- 29 Mr. Rick Linthurst Dept . of Botany N.C. State University Raleigh, N.C. 27607 Current Use and Protection Status: These marshes are largely unaltered. They probably contain the largest contiguous tract of undisturbed irregularly inundated salt marsh in North Carolina. Obvious manmade features in the marshes are: N.C. 12 and two adjacent borrow ditches that bisect the marshes from southwest to northeast, the Thorofare channel that crosses the southwestern section of the marshes, and the John Day Ditch that crosses the northeastern section of the marshes. The effect of these features on the ecology of the marshes is unknown. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers all the marshes northeast of the Thorofare channel (approxi- mately 6000 acres). So far, the only alteration of the marshes by the Service has been the blasting of a few "potholes" and some control burning-both to improve habitat for waterfowl. Currently, the Service is considering the impoundment of approximately 2000 acres of marshes northwest of N.C. 12 for waterfowl habitat, especially to improve habitat for nesting Black Ducks . We do not know of any plans by the Marine Corps or the Rayland Corporation to alter the area of marshes they own. Of course, all the Cedar Island Marshes are designated as an area of environmental concern under the Coastal Area Management Act. Vegetation and Plant Communities: The dominant plants of the marshes are Spartina alternif lora, Spartina patens , Spartina cynosuroides , Panicum virgatum, and Juncus roemerianus . Along the southeast side of the marshes (toward Core Sound), Spartina alterniflora (the short form) is dominant. In this area, pond holes (many containing Ruppia maritima) are common. Northwestward toward N.C. 12, the Spartina alterniflora grades into Juncus roemerianus (often intermixed with Panicum virgatum) and Spartina patens . Just northwest of N.C. 12, Spartina patens and Juncus continue to be generally dominant, although in some areas, Spartina cynosuroides is equally common. In the central area of the marshes northwest of N.C. 12, some shrubs ( Iva f rutescens and Baccharis halimifolia) are present (These can be seen from N.C. 12). Their presence suggests that the area is slightly higher and the ground less moist. Perhaps the composition of grasses, sedges and rushes in that area is different from the rest - 30 - of the marshes. Near the mainland (southwest of the Thorofare) and near Cedar Island (northeast of the John Day Ditch), there are extensive areas of fairly pure stands of Juncus roemerianus . In this report, we are concerned with only the marshes. However, there are also several maritime shrub thicket hammocks on the edges of the marshes, which we did not visit. One of these, Rumley's Hammock, covers several acres and might be of special interest. Physical Features: These marshes are essentially level. Lunar tides in this area are very slight and the marshes are flooded only by the tides of tropical cyclones or by the most extreme wind tides. According to Mixon and Pilkey (1976), the marshes are part of a "thin veneer of Holocene saltmarsh peat, mud and sand" that lie on "silty and clayey sand of Pleistocene age". Rare Plants and Animals: Plants: none Reptiles: Water snakes (Natrix spp.) are common in these marshes. Specimens here are probably referable to Natrix sipedon williamenglesi , which was considered by Bruce et al. (in Cooper, J.E., S.S. Robinson, and J.B, Funderburg (Eds) 1977) to be of undetermined status, i.e. the _ population is deserving of concern but the lack of information makes it impossible to assign it to the proper category of concern. Birds: We list rare birds in two categories: 1) those directly associated with the marshes and associated pond holes, 2) those occurring only on the adjacent waters and along the marsh-forest border or those that feed above the marshes. Evaluation of the Site's Ecological Significance: 1) The Cedar Island Marshes are one of the largest contiguous tracts of irregularly flooded salt marsh in the state. They are probably the largest tract of such marsh in the state that contains a significant amount of i Spartina patens . ^ 2) ^The Cedar Island Marshes are relatively unaltered. Elsewhere in the county, most irregularly flooded marshes have been subjected to ditching for mosquito control, especially the more extensive marshes (as just southwest of Davis). Post and Enders (1969) suggested that ditching of salt marshes may be harmful to some species of birds. - 31 - 3) Many persons believe that this several thousand acre tract of unbroken marsh has a great deal of esthetic value. 4) The Cedar Island Marshes support possibly one rare reptile and several rare birds (see above). However, some less rare birds are also noteworthy. The Marsh hawk, if it nest in the marshes, is probably at its southern limit here. Perhaps, these marshes are most notable for the rail populations present. Probably all U.S. species of rails occur here (although the extremely secretive Yellow rail has not been observed, it probably winters here). King rails (special concern) occur here and may nest. Clapper rails are common. Virginia rails are common here in winter, and a few apparently nest. Here, they are at the southern limit of their nesting range. Soras are probably common in migration. Although not seen or heard. Yellow rails (undetermined status) might actually be common in these marshes in winter. Rail-wise, perhaps the Cedar Island Marshes biggest claim to fame is its Black Rail (undetermined) popu- lation. Numbers of these secretive and apparently local birds in these marshes apparently rival those at Elliott Island, Maryland, formerly considered to have the largest Black rail population in the United States. The importance of the Cedar Island Marshes to the Black Rail population in North Carolina may be considerable, but since it is such a secretive species, no one knows if this is the case. Management Recommendations: A major value of the Cedar Island Marshes involves its importance to several species of birds that are so secretive that their exact status in these marshes, as well as elsewhere in the state, is largely unknown. Therefore, it would be presumptuous to suggest any hard and fast recommendations. Clearly, this area deserves further study. If the Fish and Wildlife Service plans to impound any marsh acreage, then rail populations, especially King, Yellow, and Black rails, should be ascertained. Perhaps the best location for impoundments would be adjacent to the mainland and adjacent to Cedar Island, where the marshes have a higher percentage of Juncus roemerianus . This would leave the marshes that are probably the best rail habitat. This would also still leave a large contiguous tract of unaltered marsh. Fire management should be studied. Probably, fire is "beneficial" to the marsh, at least a certain amount of it helps to maintain it. However, in regards to many of the marsh inhabitants, the alternate burning of several small areas might be desirable to the use of two or three fires that burn the entire marsh and thus remove large areas of cover at one time. Post, William and Frank Enders. 1969. Reappearance of the Black Rail on Long Island, Kingbird. Vol 19:189-191. - 32 - 1) Species Status in C.I. Marshes Great blue heron American bittern Great egret Snowy egret Little blue lieron Permanent resident Winter resident (or Perm, resident? may rarely breed) Permanent resident Permanent resident Permanent resident Louisiana heron Permanent resident Black-crowned night heron Perm, resident Glossy ibis Black duck Marsh hawk N.C. Status Special concern llnde t ermine d Yellow rail Black rail King rail Barn ovi/l 2) Species Brown pelican i'urkt^y vulture Red- tailed hawk Red-shouldered hawk Osprcy Gul J -billed tern Laugkiing gull Least tern Common tern Royal tern Black skimmer Purple martin Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Summer resident Special concern Permanent resident (nests ) Special concern Permanent res . (probably nests) Undetermined (no records of this secretive species-probably winter res.) Permanent resident (Probably nests) Possible perm. res. may nest Perm. res. (probably nests) Status ad] acer t to C.I. Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent re SI dent res idcn t resident res ident Suimner resident Summer resident Permanent resident Summer resident Summer resident Permanent resident Pe rmane 1 1 1 re s ide n I Summer resident Undetermined Undetermined Special concern Special concern iN.C. Status Endati, ,ered Special concern Special ccnici'rn Special concern Specia 1 concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Publications and Scientific references Cooper, J.E., S.S. Robinson, and J.B. Funderburg (Eds.) 19/7. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N.C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N.C, 444 pages. Mixon, R.B. and O.ll. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance geology of the submerged and emerged coastal plain province, Cape Lookout area. North Carolina. Geological Survey Professional Paper 839, U.S. Govt Printing Off. Washington, D.C. - 33 Flora Species List: Shrubs : Baccharis ha 1 imifolia Borrichia frutescens Iva frutescens Groundsel-tree, CoLtonbush Sea ox-eye Marsh elder Herbs : Aster tenuifolius Atriplex patula Ruppia maritima Sabatia dodecandra Salicoruia virginica Graniinoids : Marsh aster Orach V^idgeon grass Sabatia Glasswort Andropogoii virj;inicus Cladiura jainaic».'ase Distichlis spicata Finibris ty 1 is spadicea Juncus roemerianus Pan i cum vLrgaLum Spartina alterniflora S. cynosuroides S. patens Typha latiCoIia Broomscdge S aw g r a s s Salt grass Fimbris tyl is Blade neodlerush Panic grass Salt marsh c^rdgrass Cord grass Salt meadow hay Cat- tail 34 - Fauna Species List: Most of the following were observed by John Fussell during roxiinately 50 visits to the marshes to study Black Rails, 19 app 1978 74- Many of these visits were made at night Amphibians ; Amphibians are ostensibly absent in these marshes. However, about 11 nm. 31 May 1974, there was an apparently Irugc chorus of frogs Ln the r.inrshes northwest of N.C. 12. This was four days after a very heavy (3 + inches) rain. Species identified by rail were: Southern toad Bufo terrestris Southern cricket frog Acris ^ryllus gryllus Green tree frog Hyla cmerea Pine woods treefrog Hyla femoralis Little grass frog Limhaoedus ocularis Reptiles : Northern diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin ceutrata VJater snake Natrix sipedon williaraengelsi? Thesi- two species are common. Other specic^s probably occui at least occasionally - especially uear shrub tliicket hammocks. Birds : or Til is list includes only species that occur in the marsh proper that feed in pond iioles in the mar^h. Species Great blue heron Green heron Little blue heron Great egret Snowy egret Louisiana heron Black-crowned night heron Least bittern American bittern Glossy ibis Roseate spoonbill Mallard Black duck Gadwall Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal American wigeon Northern shovcler Marsh hawk King rail Clapper rail Seasonal Status Permane Summer Permane Permane Permane Permane Permane Summer Winter Summer One rec Winter Permane Winter Winter Winter Trans ie Winter Trans Le Permane Probabi Permani. nt res nt nt nt nt nt res res res ord res nt res res res nt res nt nt y p at rei idcnt idcnt resident resident resident res ident resident ident (nests) ident ident . or perm. nvs. (may nest) ; resident (nests) ident or Perm. res. (may ident ident ident rre i res. (probably nests) orm. res. (probably nests, r( sident (nests) - 35 - Species Virginia rail Sora Ycillov; rail Black rail Seasonal Status Permanent resident (probably nests) Winter resident (mainly a transient) No records of this secretive species Probably a winter resident Permanent resident (probably nest?) The areas of pond lioles were not visited during migrations. The lolluwiug shc^rebird statuses are conjectural — only th^ iiio;;t likely species are included. Willet Greater yello\>ylegs Lesser yellowlegs Pectoral sandpiper Short-billed dowitcbcr Lone-billed dowitchcr Snowy ovj Barn owl Fish crow Long-billed marsh v/r;:n Short-billed marsh wren Bobolink Eastern Meadov/L'irk Redwinged blackbird Boat-tailed gracklt^ Savannah sparrow Sharp-tailed sparrow Seaside sparrow Swaiiip sparrow Mammals : Sunuaer resident (probably n(.:sts) VJinter resident Trans ient Transient Winter res ident Transient or winter resident One record Permanent resident (Prebably nests) Permanent resident (probably nests on liammocks) Permanent resident (n(:;!ts-) Probable winLi-r resident Trans ien t Permanent res iden t Fi.'r innntMit res i dent P e r ma n e n t r ( ^ s J d c. n t W inter r e s i d c a t Winter resident Summer resident t^or perin Winter resident (^e^i ts ) (nes t s ) (nests) res . , nes ts ) Raccoon Mink Kiver Marsh otter rabbit Procyoh iotor Mas tela vis on Lutra canadensis Sylvilagus palustris Other species undoubtedly occur. Four very likely species are Cray fox Eastern harvest mouse Rice rat Meadow vole Urocyon cineroargentous Reithrodon toniys humui i s Oryj:omys palustris Microtus pennsy Ivanicus Cedar Island-North Bay Barrier Island Name of Area: Cedar Island-North Bay Barrier Island County: Carteret Location: Strand of beaches, dunes, and shrub thickets that fronts Pamlico Sound N and NE of Cedar Island, See Map 1 . Quad: North Bay Physical/Habitat Feature: Barrier Beach system. Site Quality: Away from the ferry terminal area, this island system is essentially a natural area. Elevation: 0-10' Topography: Cross section of narrow beach, and narrow bare and vegetated low dunes fronting level salt marsh. Soil Series: Beach and dune soils are Beach-Newhan Association; Marsh soils are Lafitte Muck. SCS . USDA. 1979. Soil Survey of Carteret County, N.C., Interim Report. (Jeannie Wilson) . Size: excluding marshes, ca. 7 miles X ca. 300'. Geological Formation: Barrier system is a Holocene age. Mixon, R.B. 7 O.H. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 859. US Govt. Print. Off. Endangered & Threatened Species: Brown Pelicans are common. Potential for Endangered & Threatened Species: Peregrine falcons (endangered) and merlins (threatened) may occur regularly here in fall migration. Site Integrity: Encroachments are limited to the area that extends from one mile W to one mile E of the ferry terminal. These involve the terminal, nearby cottages, ORV traffic and livestock. The westermost 2 miles of the system are protected by its inclusion in Cedar Island National Refuge; the eastermost 3 miles are protected by the presence of several inlets. Owners: The westermost two miles of this barrier beach is part of Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. The rest is privately owned. The county tax maps are vague due to recent changes in abbreviations, but it appears that ca. -36- 37 - k mile of the beach adjacent to the refuge has been purchased by a Morehead City realtor — Joe C. Beam. Investigator: John Fussell (Report by Fussell and Jeannie Wilson) Date: November 1980 Other Knowledgeable Persons: Mr. Hubert Brohawn, Cedar Island Wildlife Refuge. Cedar Island, N. C. ': Description of Area: Low where developed; high elsewhere. The primary value of this area is its geological "unique- ness". It is by far the most prominent barrier island system along an estuarine shoreline in North Carolina, and on a small scale, has virtually all the features of barrier islands that front the ocean. This barrier system is ca. 7 miles long and lies WNW-ESE. See Map 3. The section of the island that lies 2-4 miles from the western tip has been humanly altered. Here, there are a few beach cottages, the ferry terminal at the end of N.C. 12, some ORV traffic, and grazing by horses and cows. West and east of this section, these islands are essentially undisturbed. On this visit, only the area west of the ferry terminal was surveyed and the brief description that follows pertains to that area. This area is an intriguing small scale edition of a barrier island system, complete with beach, dunes, maritime shrub thickets sheared toward the SSW by salt spray, and the back-barrier marshes. There are three inlets, and numerous overwash fans, blow-outs, and peat outcrops on the beach. Thus, the system presents a graphic small- scale edition of a larger oceanfront barrier island system. The beach, unlike an ocean beach, does have vegetated areas,, primarily Spartina alternif lora . However, most of the beach is bare. The dune zone is ca. 200' wide, and the dunes range up to 5-10'. The larger dunes are dominated by Uniola paniculata in some areas, but by Ammophila breviligulata at other sites. Lower areas within the dune zone have a rich diversity of species typical of seaside dunes. The shrub thicket zone is up to 100' wide at some points; at other points it is absent. Quercus virginiana is the dominant species; it averages 6 high and is typically salt sheared. Near the western tip of the system, Myrica cerifera dominates. The back-barrier marsh is nearly pure Juncus roemerianus , but along the marsh-shrub thicket border, there is a rich diversity of brackish/high marsh species. The westermost two miles of this section of beach is within Cedar Island Wildlife Refuge. This appears to be a significant roosting/feeding area for many species of waterbirds, including brown pelicans. Two dead loggerhead turtles were seen on the beach. This species occurs - 38 - regularly in Pamlico Sound, and it is possible that it might rarely nest along these beaches. The eastern half of the barrier system is probably similar. See Map 3. It has wider inlets and a larger extent of backbarrier marshes, and is likely also a significant roosting/feeding area for waterbirds. Just east of the ferry terminal, where there are many livestock, there is a series of brackish ponds just behind the beach. These are excellent shorebird habitat. - 39 - PLANTS OBSERVED (Jeannie Wilion aided in identification) Trees: (often wind atunted) Diospyroa virginiana, Juniperua virginiana, Magnolia virginiana, Pinus taeda, Quercus virginiana . Shrubs: Baccharis halimifolia, Borrichia frutescens, Hypericum hyper ico ide 3 , Ilex glabra, Ilex vonitoria, Iva frutescens, Myrica cerifera, Prunus angus t i f o 1 ia , Rhus copallina, Yucca f i lamen tosa , Vines: Mikania ■ scandeens , Rhus radicans, Rubus trivialis, Smilax bona-nox , Vi t is ro tund i f o 1 ia . Herbs: Ambrosia ar temis i i f cl ia , Aater subulatus, Cakile edentula, Chenopodiwim ambros io ide s , Diodia teres, Eupatorium capi 1 1 i f o 1 ium , Euphorbia po lygon i f o 1 ia , Gnaphalium obtusifoli.um, Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Lepidium virginicum, Lythrum lineare, Oenothera sp. (0. laciniaCa X 0. humifusa?), Physalis viscosa, Phytolacca americana, Pluchea foetida, Polypremum procumbens, Portulaca oleracea, Salicornia virginica, Samolus parviflorua, Solanum carolinense, Solidago •empervire sn , Solidago tenuifolia, Spergularia mariana, Graminoida: Ammophila brevi 1 igula ta , Andropogon virginicus, Carex spp., Cenchrus tribuloides, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus spp., Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis microcarpa, Fimbristylis spadicea, Juncus sp., Juncus roemerianus, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Panicua amarum, Scirpus americanus, Spartina a 1 terni f lor a , Spartina cynosur oide s , Spartina patens, Uniola paniculate. Ferns Osmund a regal is ANIMALS OBSERVED Birds Common create snowy breast mar sh p lover s andp i gull. For 8 t e be 1 ted blue j mar sh ahar p- loon , d cormo egre t , ed merg hawk , o , commo per , du herring r ' a ter k ing f i ay , f is wren , y ah inned pied rant b lac anse s pr e n sn n 1 in gul n . r she r h c r ello spa -bil . gr k du r , a y . c ipe , (ma 1. r oya 1 I CO ow , w-ru r row led g eat b ck, p har p- 1 appe grea ny ) , ing-b tern mm on gray mped s wa r ebe lue int a shin r r a ter sand ille . bl flic ca tb war b mp a , brown pelican, double- heron, little blue heron, il, black scoter, red- ned hawk, red-tailed hawk, il, killdeer, black-bellied yellow legs, red knot, least eriing, great black-backed d gull, laughing gull, ack skimmer, mourning dove, ker , barn swallow (one), ird, house wren, short-billed ler, savannah sparrow, parrow, song sparrow. Mamma 1 s Raccoon, marsh rabbit. -^ Q Z < -1 i/j UJ t^ < CO < CO X H o < -J < Q LU U a. < IE Core Banks and Portsmouth Island NOTE: For more information consult National Park Service, USDI (1980, 1983). General Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Cape Lookout National Seashore . . , Name of Area: Core Banks and Portsmouth Island County: Carteret Location Description: Cape Lookout, Horsepen Point, Styron Bay, Atlantic, Wainwright and Portsmouth USGS 7.5 min. topographic quad map; stretches east and northeast of Shackleford Bank separated by Barden's Inlet to the boundary of Carteret and Hyde County and separated from Ocracoke Island by Ocracoke Inlet, Cape Hatteras National Seashore. See map 4. Ownership and Administration: Both Core Bank and Portsmouth Island is owned by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered as part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore . Size: 21,500 acres. Land Use: These islands are virtually free of development with the exception of remains of the privately owned "fish camps" built by sport fishermen and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse on Core Bank. Associated with the fish camps were derelict old automobiles and litter. Clean-up operations are in progress to restore the islands to their natural condition. Minimal development of visitor facili- ties are currently planned on portions of both islands. The NPS management plans call for the following activities and development: ferry service will be provided to three points, to the lighthouse area. Shingle Point and Ports- mouth Village. Public transportation exists to the is- lands via a concession ferry. The most significant development will occur at the docking sites and will be restricted to visitor facilities, ferry docking, ranger station at Cape Lookout and maintenance facilities. The natural area will be open to hiking and fishing. Primitive camping will be confined to the area between Cape Lookout and Shingle Point. Hunting, fishing and shell fishing will continue in designated areas and be regulated according to law. Compiled by the Natural Heritage Program, DNRCD , Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh, N.C. (1979). - 41 - _ 42 _ Dangers to Integrity: The existing unnatural conditions will be alleviated upon completion of NPS clean-up operations. Protection Status: Under NPS management plans, most of the islands will be managed as natural areas. Reasons for Significance: Core Bank and Portsmouth Island have experienced a variety of historical alterations caused by both human and natural influences. Today they exist as unmanipulated, remote barrier islands and serve as excellent examples of the many stages of barrier island development. In this way they are singularly important to North Carolina's heritage since most other barrier islands have been extensively developed and/or have been subject to unnatural dune and shoreline construction. Limited access to these islands has been the responsible factor in limiting their development. The islands have been left to respond naturally to the forces of wind and ocean. Dramatic geological changes have resulted which are worthy of study. Core and Portsmouth can be described as long and narrow, low lying barrier islands resembling sand bars because of their extensive berra and shrub-grassland vegetation. The islands are oriented predominantly across prevailing winds; there is little protection from salt spray, and overwash is frequent thus providing little opportunity for successional growth beyond the lush terrestrial grass-like Guthrie's Hammock with its savannah-like appearance. As an indication of the islands' unstable nature and dynamic tendencies, certain conditions prevail: the islands feature the most extensive beach berms, especially Portsmouth which has barren sand in places reaching to the sound side. The development of new dunes can be observed and the concomitant establishment of dune vegetation. Vegetation zonation and sand flats is a result of overwash and terracing rather than exposure to salt spray as observed on islands where the dunes are larger and more stable. Hence, these islands experience vegetation patterns slightly different from what is observed in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore islands since dune stabilization has never been initiated and natural conditions prevail. In contrast to the vast berm new dunes and pioneer grasses, dune slacks closer to the sound side provide mesic conditions vjhere rich, diverse flora can be found. Furthermore, low, flat mesic meadows offer additional diversity. These are below the typical elevation of the flats and closer to the water table. Here grass- lands may succeed to woody vegetation if environmental stress is minimized. Blending gradually into the mari- time grasslands on the sound side are vast salt marshes which are the site of high biological productivity. Several rare, uncommon plant and animal species live on these Banks. The Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests on the islands. .A3 Designated Natural Area: The natural area includes approximately 20,000 acres on Core and Portsmouth which are outside the development zone (visitor centers, sanitation facilities, etc., ferry docking sites) and the area between Cape Lookout and Shingle Point, Core and Portsmouth islands are unique in their character and are among the few remaining stretches of the Outer Banks where natural conditions can be enjoyed. • For reasons of wilderness, habitat preservation and scientific and educational pursuits, these islands represent a significant measure of the State's heritage. Preserve Recommendations: Because of the geological and biological diversity, Core Bank and Portsmouth Island should be protected from development and public over- use. The islands serve as an ideal study ground for barrier island ecology-geology, and further studies should be encouraged. Data Sources: Preston D. Riddle, Supervisor, and staff. Cape Lookout National Seashore, Beaufort, N.C. Paul J. Godfrey, National Park Service Cooperative Research Unit, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass. John Fussell, Morhead City, N.C. ' ' '^■z" ' National Park Service, General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Scientific References: Burk, C. J. (1961) A botanical ■ -. reconnaissance of Portsmouth Island, North Carolina. Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc . 77: 72-74. Godfrey, P. J. and Godfrey, M. M. (1976) Barrier island ecology of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and vicinity. North Carolina. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series, No. 9, 160 p. Documentation and Authentication: Voucher specimens and documentations are on file at the Cape Lookout National Seashore headquarters in Beaufort, North Carolina. See Management Report No. 22: Preliminary Resource Inven- tory of the Vertebrates and Vascular Plants of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina. PAULICO SOUND ••* \ ••'Lp.\ PORTSMOUTH — * ^/.^ ^^OV-"^ VILLAGE ifi ■ ^/N tt.»'!;"'.-*''vSf-^ PORTS^ (■«»?••• Cf'" VILLAGE CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE I- ' -!— NORTH NEW DRUM INLET NEW DRUM INLET •beaufort lantic beach -" BANKS \Qr--- ^ (-"tf,, WFORT INLET^ - (.- ~C ^ 'SMYRNA A (S _, ^ (tr / SHINGLE POINT if/ MARSHALLBERG GLOUCESTER r"!]?^/ ^^^^fsJ'lf EAST MARKERS ISLAND *'-«'K0 (ADMINISTRATIVE SITEI 3?^ BARDEN INLET j/^ g^p£ iqOKOUT POINT AREA \ ; ' VCAPE LOOKOUT V.' oCE AN - OCRACOKE INLET -— NATIONAL SEASHORE BOUNDARY £_^_^^ NATURAL ZONE >fC DEVELOPMENT ZONE S:- 0 2 4 6 MILES 0 32 64 96 KILOMETERS N VICINITY CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL SEASHORE/NORTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MAP 4: CORE BANKS - PORTSMOUTH I Croatan Pocosins Name of Area: Croatan Pocosins Location Description: Jones, Craven and Carteret Counties, North Carolina; Maysville 15 min. and Masontown 7.5 min. topographic USGS quad map in Croatan National Forest; central Croatan National Forest, Catfish-Great Lake area. See maps 5-7. Only the area called "Pocosin" lies within Carteret County. Ownership and Administration: Area owned and administered by the USFS as holdings within the Croatan National Forest. Four sections included in the natural area are those proposed by the USFS as Wilderness - RARE II Areas (road- less and undeveloped areas): Catfish Lake South, Sheep- ridge, Pond Pine and Pocosin (see map 7). The Low Pocosin area on the west side of Great Lake is premier example of low evergreen shrub pocosin and is critical to maintain the hydrology of the Sheep Ridge pocosin site. The inclusion of the Low Pocosin area recognizes it as a significant and necessary link to maintain the hydrology of the other four areas. IvTiile the Low Pocosin area is not included in the USFS proposed Wilderness Area due to the presence of roads, it does meet all the qualifi- cations of a Natural Heritage Area and its inclusion in the natural area is recommended. Approximate Acreage: Catfish Lake South 7,605 acres (3,042 hectares). Low Pocosin 4,035 acres (1614 hectares), Pocosin 11,000 acres (4,400 hectares). Sheep Ridge 5,380 acres (2,152 hectares). Pond Pine 1,860 acres (744 hectares). Land Use: The proposed natural areas are restricted in accessibility in that much of the area is covered by impenetrable evergreen shrubs characteristic of pocosins and flooded swamp forests. Maintained roads surround the areas, but none actually transverse them with the exception of the Low Pocosin area; therefore, land use is restricted to hunting along the road edges. The land is reserved primarily for wildlife habitat. Dangers to Integrity: Massive wildfires are seen as a threat to be controlled by the USFS. Pocosins are fire dependent ecosystems and their successional status depends on both hydroperiod and frequency of fires. Any major change in Compiled by the NC Natural Heritage Program, DNRCD, Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh, N.C. December (1979). - 45 - J _ 46 _ either or both environmental conditions would result in a change or loss of the original characteristics. Protection Status: The four RARE II study areas have been proposed by the Forest Service for their protection as wilderness areas and for inclusion in the National Wilderness System. Furthermore, within the Pond Pine section, three hundred acres have been recognized by the USPS as the pond Pine Research Natural Area and are protected as such. Reasons for Significance: The Croatan National Forest was recently included in a study of the location of peat deposits in North Carolina. The proposed natural area is contained within the area surveyed for peat deposits with the exception of Pond Pine site which is of higher elevation. Within the peatlands (see map 6), the eleva- tion ranges from about 30 feet above sea level to slightly greater than 40 feet above sea level. The highest elevations are associated with the thickest peat thus far found in the Croatan National Forest. Pocosins are characterized by vegetation which is adapted to periodic fires, low nutrient levels and periodic flooding or high water tables. Pocosins are poorly understood and especially sensitive ecosystems because of complex hydrology combined with particular edaphic conditions and their rugged nature. Thus, these unique features depend on periodic fires and special hydrologic conditions. As a result of extensive peat mining, timbering and draining for agricultural purposes, these lands are rapidly deminishing in area and being converted to commercial use. The Pocosin Natural Area is dominated by a mixture of pocosin communities: . Low evergreen shrub pocosin (low pocosin) . Tall evergreen shrub pocosin (high pocosin) . Open pond pine Low pocosins are evergreen shrub bogs populated by Ilex, Zenobia and Titi. Here, stunted Pond pine of only five feet (or less) can be found on the organic soils. The vegetation diversity here is low, but unique species such as the rare yellow pitcher plant and Venus; fly- trap (see Table 1) can be found. The surrounding or bordering high pocosins have soil with less organic content, although the water table is still high. Here, Pond pine grows to heights of sixty feet and high bay forests predominate. In the transition from organic soils to mineral sub- strate are found mixed pine forests (Loblolly or Long- leaf pine). Hardwood swamp forest (Black gum, Red maple, _47 _ Sweet gum) are found on the better drained mineral soils near drainage creeks. Again, fire and hydrology play a major role in limiting succession of other vegetation forms, and therefore maintain the pocosin's integrity providing habitat for the uniquely adapted species. Sheepridge and Low Pocosin are prime examples of well developed low pocosin and are considered as best representative of "low pocosin ecosystems" in North Caroina. This section, of higher elevation, is asso- ciated with the thickest peat found in the above study. This area is underlain by humic peat ranging from 4-6 feet thick. The Catfish Lake South section supports a mixture of high shrub pocosin and pond pine woodland. This area is underlain by at least four feet of peat. Pond Pine, as its name implies, is a prime example of the open Pond pine dominated forest which is found in areas underlain by shallow peat around the edges of peat deposits. In the Pond pine overstory some of the trees are 160+ years old. The Pocosin section is also covered predominantly by high shrub pocosin and Pond pine woodland. It is believed that this area also should be underlain by well-developed peat deposits. As the demand for productive agricultural and timber lands increase, these wetlands will come under increased pressure for conversion into commercially productive land. Therefore, it is important to preserve represen- tative segments as natural areas for scientific and educational purposes to accrue knowledge of their biolo- gical structure, function and significance. Moreover, wetland habitats such as the impenetrable pocosins are the final refugia for heavily hunted species like the black bear and alligator (see table 2). Preserve Recommendations: The Pocosin Natural Area is exemplary of the sensitive pocosin ecosystem and con- tains the best examples in North Carolina of the low shrub pocosin ecosystem. The sites provide habitat for several plants or animals listed as endangered or threatened nationally and within the state of North Carolina. For these reasons, these sites should be protected as an exceptional natural area. Management Recommendations: A management plan should be developed for the protection of the Pocosin Natural Area as an outstanding natural area. Management should be directed towards: 1) maintaining the existing hydrology of the area through restriction on all draining in the area or areas adjacent which would affect the watertable here; 2) providing (allowing) for fire sufficient to maintain the dominant vegetation now occupying each site (If allowed to develop in the absence of fire, the establishing trees/shrubs will grow and shade out the _ 48 _ present understory, i.e. Pond pine evolves into a bay- type forest.); 3) educating the public by providing information on the uniqueness of the natural area. Heavy equipment used for fire control should be limited to the extent that it produces unsightly or deformed conditions in the natural area. Data Sources: Fuller, Manley, Fish & Wildlife Service, Intern Washington, DC. (Currently: National Wildlife Fedn. , Raleigh, NO) Huntsman, Gene, Mid-Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Research Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Beaufort, N.C. Otte, Lee, Dept . of Geology, ECU, Greenville, N.C. Synder, J.R., Botany Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida. Simpson, Bob, Box 643, Morehead City, N.C. Wills, Richard, District Ranger, Croatan National Forest . Scientific References: Cermak, R.W. (1976). Establishment Report for Pond Pine Research Natural Area within the Croatan National Forest Otte, L.J. and R.L. Ingram (1979). Quarterly Progress Report: Peat Resources of North Carolina. Report to North Carolina Energy Institute. Smithsonian Institute, (1974), Survey of Natural Areas of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Report for National Park Service . Snyder, J.R. (1977). Report on the vegetation and site factors of the Pond Pine Pocosin Research Natural Area, Croatan National Forest. USES Report. Southeastern ~ Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, N.C. Documentation and Authentication: Voucher specimens for plant speci.es are deposited in the following herbaria: North Carolina State Museum, Raleigh, N.C. Supplementary surveys and descriptions are as listed in the scientific references above. The information contained in this report is well documented and received from reliable resources. Recognition by Other Agencies: Four of the areas have been recommended as National Wilderness Areas. Three hundred acres of the Pond Pine section have been recognized by the USES as the Pond Pine Research Natural Area (see map 8). _ 49 _ Table 1. Rare and Endangered Plant Species in* Minis Road Pocosin Natural Area Scientific Name Conunon Name Status 2 * Dionaea rouscipula Venus ' fly trap TT Peltandra sagittaefolia Arrowleaf shieldwort TP Habitat Wet sandy ditches, savannahs, open bog Bogs * These plants are no longer listed as threatened or endangered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection Program. Table 2. Rare and Endangered Animal Species in: Pocosin Natural Area. Scientific Name Common Ncime Status' Habitat Alligator mississippiensis American alligator E Crotalus adamanteus Eastern diamondback rattlesnake E Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle E Pandion haliatus Picoides borealis Rana areolata Ursus americanus Osprey SC Red cockaded woodpecker E Gopher frog Black bear SC SC Great rivers, Flatwoods, inter- spaced w bays or pocosins w sandy ridges Chiefly near oceans, rivers lakes Breed near water Pine woodlands longleaf/ loblolly Upland sandy ridge temp, or perm, ponds Taken from Cooper, J. E. , S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Funderberg (Eds). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of N. C. N. C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N. C. 444 pages + i-xvi. Explanation of Status Categories; EE - Endangered Endemic TE ED - Endangered Disjunct TD EP - Endangered Peripheral TP ET - Endangered Throughout TT UD - Undetermined Threatened Endemic E Threatened Disjunct T Threatened Peripheral SC Threatened Throughout Endangered Threatened Special Concer J Scale 1:250.000 I — H.. SUIiile MIIps S 0 KiloTi-iies 5 -J MAP 5: CROATAN FOREST PEAT DEPOSITS - OTTE (1980) 8. CROATAN NATIONAL FOREST \ ICt^fivt •cdjl. "^ MsHoN Fork ^I'v: SHEEPRIDGE 'V /" "i.^UiS NAVAL V \? /RtSCRVATIOf Havelocfc^ CRAVCN^''' •POCOSIN ■- Area surveyed Scjte 1:250.000 Si^iuw HtJ»^ 3 o Area underlain by peat Pocosin Natural Area sites 5 0 K.KynfI.e'i 3 -I ' Counties: Jones, Craven, and Carteret 7.5 minute topoquads: Maysville NE , Maysville NW , May'^viMc SE , and Ma son town. Square miles surveyed: 150 Sites investigated: 92 Taken from Otte (1979) MAP 6: POCOSIN NATURAL AREA - OTTE (1979) U.S. DKFARTMKNT OF A('.IMC'l'l,TL'lil-: FOKKST SKitVICK JOHN H Mt^;^lH^ I Mih ^ CROATAN NATIONAL FOREST NORTH CAK(^LINA 11-21-77 ^^^* I 0 1 1 _ 1 t » ^''- LEGEND COMPARTMENT BOUNDARY FOREST SERVICE BOUNDARY STAND BOUNDARY STAND DESCRIPTION \\\\\ PRIVATE LAND < STREAM M I M II RAILROAD Pond Pine Research 300 Acres G\eEAT LAtCE / ] GREAT LAKE NATURAL AREA ) : ■x =-\ MAP 8: POCOSIN NATURAL AREA Millis Road Longleaf Pine Savanna and Pocosin Name of Area: Millis Road Longleaf Pine Savanna and Pocosin County: Carteret Location: Area of low sand ridges and shallow interlying swales in Croatan National Forest. Tract is bounded on the north by Millis Rd, (U.S. Forest Service Road 128); on the east and southeast by Peak "Swamp"; on the south by the large tract of short pocosin that stretches southward to Forest Service Rd. 154-2; on the west by Millis "Swamp" (See Map 9). Coordinates: approx. 34'°43'30" N, 77 57'50" W. Topographic quadrangle: Masontown Size: Ca. 300 acres (ca. 121 ha) Elevation: 30-36' Access: The section of Millis Rd. (Forest Service Rd. 128) adjacent to the tract is 1.4-2.4 miles west of S.R. 1124 (Nine Foot Road) . Names of investigators: John 0. Fussell, III 1412 Shepard St. Morehead City, N.C. 28557 919/726-3476 Jeannie Wilson Hampton Mariners Museum Beaufort, N.C. 23516 919/728-7317 Dates of investigation: 1980 Sept. 17, 18, 19 Oct. 7, 8, 15 Nov. 10, 12, 13 Both authors have visited the area on previous occasions. Fussell made numerous trips to the area 1972-1979, primarily in search of red-cockaded woodpeckers, Bachmans sparrows and other bird species. He also made a night trip for herps on July 27, 1980. Wilson visited the area numerous times during 1975-1978, while working on a Master's project nearby. 54 I 55 SITE DESCRIPTION This 300 acre tract (see map 9) consists of about 200 acres of a Pinus palustris/Aristida striata community that lies on wide and low sand ridges, about 50 acres of medium-height pocosin that lies in the inter- ridge swales, and about 50 acres of a poorly defined intergradation of Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta with low pocosin along the southern boundary of the tract. (In this report, we use the term pocosin in the broad sense, i.e., area dominated by broadleaf evergreen shrubs, regardless of the topography of the area. ) Ostensibly the tract is nearly level; the slopes between ridges and swales would be imperceptible at most points were it not for the very noticeable differences in plant cover and soil moisture. However, there are moderate slopes at the eastern and western borders of the tract, adjacent to the Peak and Millis "Swamps" (actually bay forests). Along the ridge "crests", the soil is usually xeric; in the swales, only a foot or two lower, there are a few inches of standing water during much of the winter and the soil is usually moist in summer. However, in the early fall of 1980, after a very dry siimmer, the soil surface in the swales, away from Sphagnum cover, was almost dry. The sand ridges in this tract are a small part of a large complex of basically NE-SW oriented ridges in this section of the county - the "Ne'^rport Barrier" (see Mixon and Pilkey 1976). Apparently, these ridges are relict beach ridges formed during the last major regression of sea-level in the late Pleistocene. In the study area, the three easternmost ridges are well- defined and definitely lie NE-SW. The ridge pattern in the western half of the tract is more irregular and appears to some extent to be the result of an original more prominent pattern that has been dissected by a drainage system that has developed perpendicularly to the ridge-swale pattern. There appears to be one "partial" Carolina bay at the southern edge of the tract. Plant Communities The Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta sections of the tract are subjected to prescribed burns about every 3 years. In June 1980, a wildfire swept through the tract, burning the pocosin areas that had not burned for several years. Thus, the physiognomy of this area was slightly different in the fall of 1980 from what it was previously. (1) Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta. All canopy height sized trees are Pinus palustris ; trees occur in a generally sparse stand. Canopy height is about TO'; canopy trees are probably mostly about 50 years old. However, the presence of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees in the eastern half of the tract suggests that some trees may be up to about 75 years old. The largest trees are not much over 12" D3H. Ver;;- striking is the almost total absence of vegetation at subcanopy and shrub levels. Also striking is the near absence of xerophyllic oaks. In 198O, because of the J'une fire, Aristils stricta was especially prominent - about 3 feet tall and fruiting throughout the tract I giving it a prairie appearance). It varied from a dense cover on the ridge slopes to a sparse cover on sections of the ridge centers. Herbaceous species composition varies in a continuum from the ridge centers to the ridge slopes. 56 In the fall of 1930, there was a pleasing floral display. Prominent were Trilisa paniculata, Trilisa odoratissima, Solidaa;o stricta, Liatris gramini folia, and Carphephorus tomentosus. Plate 1 (2) Inter-ridge pocosin. Before the 198O fire, the swales supported what might be called medium-height pocosin. There was a moderate stand of Pinus serotina, up to UO-50' high and to 8" DBH. Beneath the pines was a dense U-B' growth of mixed broadleaf evergreens, which was composed of Ilex coriacea, Lyonia lucida. Per sea borbonia, etc. After the fire, these areas were quite different. About one fourth of the Pinus serotina appear to have survived; thus there is now a sparse stand. At the U-8' level, there is a dense tangle of dead branches covered with a new growth of Smilax lauri folia. Regrowth of broadleaf evergreens was up to 1-2' high; common species at most sites were Ilex glabra. Ilex coriacea, Lyonia lucida and Zenobia pulverulenta. Sphagnum is still abundant at ground level. Ecotone. Between the Pinus palust r i s / Arist i da stricta commiinity and the swale pocosin, there is a prominent ecotone, which varies in width from almost nothing to 30'. In many sections, the ecotone has a 3' high growth of Tridens f lavus , with a lesser amount of Andropogon virginicus , that overtops a 1' high layer of Carex walteriana. Other secxions are more open with a wide variety of herbs, including species such as Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia purpurea and Dionaea muscipula. Many species that occur in the 300 acre tract are found primarily in the ecotonal area. (3) Intergradation of Pinus palust ris/Aristi da stricca and low pocosin. Within this 50 acre area, there are small patches of small and young Pinus palustris , larger patches of low pocosin, and numerous ecotonal areas. Before the fire, this low pocosin had a sparse stand of very small Pinus serotina (mostly less than 10' tall and k' DBH) and a dense 1-2 foot growth of broadleaf evergreens. After the fire most Pinus serotina were killed and the dense foot-high shrubs were dominated by Ilex glabra. Also common were Zenobia pulverulenta , Carex walteriana and Woodwardia virginica. Sphagnum covers virtually all the ground area. SSsSMnwTSSH - 57 - We fo'ond two rare species in this intergradation zonf A?alinis virg-ata and Earracenia rubra. These are RELICT BEACH RIDGE AND SWALE PATTERN Longleaf Pine/ Wiresrs-ss Pond Pine/ evergreen shrubs unburned Pond Pine' ever.~reen shrubs burned Ecotone rich in herb species after fire Figure 2 la >> 1 ■p 3 ■H o S3 o 1 o o ■p o O OJ • o o c o , s OJ Cm 01 +J cd +2 O (D +J o • c ^ Bj c = m M •H u m aJ cfl +J 01 O w S- e C c o ' — ^ OJ •p •H cd H d) m w • «i H 0) ^4 • i) w l>i >. >J ft Jh tn ■H cd ^ -p h 3 >> 0) o uj c a LTN ■P ■p +j 0) o f-H 3 H cd c •r-* ft > ft O ft c C 3 tn CQ •H E o g cd o -U (U a; ^ G o +J -a Oj !<; a X +j o 3 0) !h ■p o c td u 0) c ^ (D ft -p 0) ■p 0) o 0) cd -p £ en ft M s c o OJ cfl o o >i c :, 1 cd OJ o o O , M H G cd 3 (U X3 o s: J-i (D C7N •H G o a £ u • r^ +j 3 U TH 0 H -p c OJ ^H a a\ 5 rH 0 -p (D bO . •H cd +J ft H cd • O • +J Sh cd >= o 0 cd 0) u en en en O E M (U S-. 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'^ C ^ Cd o a C d ~^ O c Jh • H a; ^4 C M c 1 — 1 -3 O ^ 1-, ^ ^ 3 o -P > a C t£ 1) •1— i f . , t: •H dj 0) r^ CJN •rH 0 ft o •r-i Co ^ c C M ^ e d -P H In 4J pi rH > o E I) T? « — , c E •H T3 cn 0) C ,£1 (D n c C ^, C X) ;:^ 0 o; •rH •r-t X C Ci •H x: C a ^ OJ c: U t^ •H cd t:l O XI rt^- t: (T 1— 1 E a -p •H P^ o " •H I 0) S-, '^ ^J *i L- C "J -r— ^ V, o 1.' —J T3 ■y\ 1 -r-l o V V — ^ CI s^ n 60 11. Ovnership type by percent area: Public 100^ 12. Number of owners: one 13- Name of owner and supervisor: USDA, Forest Service Mr. Lynn Young, District Ranger Croatan National Forest i+35 Thurman Rd. New Bern, N.C. 2856O 919/638-5628 lU. Use of natural area: Current uses are low-intensity ones. This is managed timberland, but the most recent harvest was a select cut over 10 years ago. The tract is prescribed burned every 2-3 years. Other low-intensity uses are hunting (deer and quail), bird-watching and nature study (wildflowers ) . 15. Use of surrounding land: a) Agricultural land (pine plantations) b) Wildland - 80^ 16. Management Problem Description Impact 20f» Need for fire management significant feature Effort continual management essential IT. 18. 19. 20. 21. Preservation status: Public land, not recognized as a natural area. Regulatory protections in force: We know of only one - the Endangered Species Act, but we do not know the exact acreage of the tract to which it applies. There are several red-cocka.ded woodpecker (federally endangered species) cavity trees in the eastern third of the tract, so at least some of the tract is critical habitat for that species. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: See section 21. Threats: See section 21. Management and preservation recommenda'cion: The preservation of this area is related to: a) maintenance of present vegetational structure, which includes a sparse stand of canopy height pines, a sparse growth of understory and shrub layer vegetation, and a thick graminoid ground cover. This structure would be altered drastically by clearcutting (some select cutting may not be harmful, but see c. below), and/or absence of regular ground fires. Ground fires greatly increase the height and density of the Aristida stricta cover. Regular ground fires also decrease the probability of a crown fire which would alter the structure of the area. Maintenance of the distinctive plant structure is essential for red-cockaded woodpeckers (federally endangered) and Bachman's sparrows (threatened in North Carolina). 61 The above refers to the Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta community of the sand ridges. However, within this tract, there are inter-ridge swales dominated by Pinus serotina/mixed broadleaf evergreen shrubs (pocosin vegetation). These pocosin swales and the adjacent ecotonal areas have generally escaped burning d^oring prescribed burns. They are less flammable (wetter) and fire breaks have been dug between the ridges and the swales by the Forest Service to contain fires. Some of the ecotonal areas are affected by the fire breaks. If these areas could be burned regularly, there would be some conversion of broadleaf evergreen shrubs to grass-sedge cover. The entire tract would "benefit" from the intorduction (or re-introduction) of a "fire habitat" that is rarer in this area (county and Croatan National Forest) than is scattered Pinus palustris with a thick growth of Aristida stricta. The resulting vegetation would be scattered Pinus palustris or Pinus serotina or no trees with a very thick growth of more mesophyllic grasses and sedges. This situation occurred to a moderate extent in June I98O after an intense wildfire. Before the fire, the ecotonal strips were primarily vegetated with a sparse growth of herbs and shrubs less than one foot in height. After the fire, these same strips had a lush waist-high growth of mixed grasses and sedges. These thick grassy areas (which are thicker than the thickest Aristida cover) may be very important to winter- ing Bachman's sparrows and Henslows sparrows. Henslows sparrows are undergoing a pronounced nationwide decline in numbers. In the winter of I979-I98O, several searches within the tract for this sparrow turned up one individual. On November 12 and 13, 19S0, after the drastic increase in grass cover after the J\ine wildfie, 5. individuals were censused here - a truly noteworthy total. Although fire eventually leads to a great increase in the density of ground flora, there is virtually no ground cover for awhile. It might be advisable to alternate burning instead of burning the entire tract at one time. For instance, burn the eastern half one year and the western half the next year, etc. b) maintenance of the diversity of ground flora. This is closely related to the maintenance of vegetational structure discussed above. Those recommendations also apply here, especially the need for frequent ground fires. We re-stress the potential value of more burning in the pocosin and ecotonal areas. Currently, it is the ecotonal areas that harbor the rarest plants on the tract: Calamovilfa brevipilis, Sarracenia rubra, Dionaea muscitula and Ag-alinis virgata. Increased burning in the ecotonal and pocosin areas could lead to increases in the populations of these species and increase the likelihood of the introduction of other rare savannah species that occur in the general area, out not within the tract. c) maintenance of the presence of some mature pines. Trees generally 60 years old or older are a necessity for red-cockaded woodpeckers. Increased burning in the pocosin areas could lead to greater red-cockaded woodpecker use of Pinus serotina for cavity trees, ana these are generally undesirable timber trees. The management of the tract by the Forest Service for longleaf pine saw timber is generally consistent with maintenance of the tract in its present high-quality state. The important things are to protect / - 62 _ red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees, maintain some mat^ore timber (the required amoiont could be a debatable point), and prescribed burns should be continued on regular, fairly frequent basis. Burning of the pocosin areas within the tract, which we believe would be very beneficial, would probably be generally opposed by the Forest Service because this would be more difficult to carry out. However, it is notable that inter-ridge locations of much of the pocosin within this tract present a relatively practical opportunity to burn pocosin since these areas are "surrounded" by Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta. Belaud (19T1) reported that the Forest Service was considering the creation of special "red-cockaded woodpecker management areas", where all management activities would be geared to improvement of habitat for the species. Such areas would be located so that they would be readily accessible to the public for the purpose of public education. This tract would certainly be an excellent "red-cockaded woodpecker management area" or better yet, a "savannah management area". Many persons visit this tract yearly in search of "savannah species". Most of these persons are visitors from other areas, so the tract has some economic value to the co\anty. 22. Rating: High priority. 23- Statement of site significance: (See Table 3). The tract is highly significant primarily because it includes 200+ acres (generally continuous) of exemplary Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta community. This community is exemplary because of its relatively large size, very open aspect due to recent frequent fire, presence of many fairly mature trees, and the presence of a large number of typical savannah species. The tract has a large number of rare savannah species also: at least 3 endangered (one federally endangered) and h threatened species. The tract is of some geological significance because it lies on a prominent Pleistocene relict beach ridge system. Such beach ridges are common in the county, but are rapidly being destroyed or altered by human disturbance. The tract is also of historical significance, being an "environment" that was prevalent during the early history of our county. The tract is of scientific interest and has been used in research. It is very accessible, and is a site many persons visit to see "savannah species". With the moister "pocosin areas" within the tract "surrounded" by Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta areas, there is a situation in which it would be relatively easy to regularly burn these moister areas. This would increase the total area available to mesophytic herbs and increase the populations of the rarer savannah herbs. 63 24. A. Natural Characteristics Summary a. Vegetation-Biotic Conmunity Summary Community Type: Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta Community Cover Type: Pinus palustris General Habitat Feature: Savannah Average tree height: Ca. 70' Estimated age of canopy trees: 50+ years Estimated size of association: 200+ acres Successional stage: Transient, fire-climax Sere type: Psammosere Common canopy species in community type (but not dominant): None Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community type (but not dominant): Myrica cerifera var. numila, Lyonia mar i an a. Ilex glabra, Vaccini'iim tenellum Common herb stratum species in community type (but not dominant): Andropogon scoparius, RhynchcsDora spp. , Liatris gramini folia, Eupatorium spp. , Aster spp. b. Soil Surmnary Soil series: Leon sand Soil order: Spodcsol pH class: Extremely acid to strongly acid (3.0-5.5) Moisture class: vet to droughty, cemented pan, excessively drair:e; c. Hydrology S'ommary Drainage basin: IJevpcrt River Hydrologic system: Terrestrial Kydrologic subsystem: Dry rr.asic to dry xeric V/ater chemistry: Fresh Water regime: Intermittently saturated to permanently ei-rposed 64 d. Siimmary-Topography and Physiography Topographic site type characteristics Land form: Ridge crest and slopes Shelter: Open Aspect: Ridge-swale pattern runs in NE direction; thus, slopes face SE 4 ITW Slope angle: Nearly level 0-2° to gently sloping 2-6° Profile: Generally constant Surface patterns: Mostly smooth Position: Entire ridge cross-section Physiographic site type of natural area: Millis Road Savannah Physiographic site type of community type: Relict dune ridges within Millis Road Savannah Geologic Formation: Planner Beach Formation Geologic Formation age: Pleistocene 24. B. Natural Characteristics Summary a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary Community type: Pinus serotina/ mixed broadleaf evergreen shrubs/ Sphagnum spp. /Smilax Laurifolia. Smllax is more abundant after fire. Community cover type: Pinus serotina General habitat feature: Pocosin vegetation in shallow, narrow inter-ridge swales Average tree height: UO' Estimated age of csinopy trees: 50+ (2 red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees seen) Estimated size of association: 50 acres Successional stage: Transient, fire climax Sere type: Fsammosere Common canopy species in community type: }Jone Common subcanopy-shrub species in community type: Ilex glabra, 65 Lyon i a luciia, ilex coriacea, 'A-jrica. hetercpr.ylla, Zenobia pulverulent a Common herb species in corjn'unity type: Carex valteriana, Woodvardia virgin lea Soil Summary/' Soil series: Murville sand Soil order: Spodosol pH class: Extremely acid to strongly acid '3-C-5-5) Moisture class: Wet, floods, cemented pan, poorly drained Hy irclogj' S-jmir.ary Drainage basin: ^le'-^ort River Hydrologic system: Palustrine Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous Water chemistry: Fresh Water regime: Semi-permanently flooded tc saturated S'ummary-Topograpny and Physiography Topographic site type characteristics ^an c ^^ r-r^, ; ~vr-^^-n_v- d^e sva''es Sh.elter; Open Ast'ect : '7clcited N-a.T.ber of pop'olations on site: 5 to 10 Ivjmber of individuals per population: 5 to 200+ Size or maturity of individuals: Flowering and fruiting Disturbance or threats to population: Frequent fire is needed. Some plants were iug near Millis Road Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: Savannah-pocosin ecctcne Topography: Slight, slope Soil series: Murville sand, Leon sand Microclimate: 2-dnr.y , moist Drainage basin: Newport River Otner riant or animal soecies oresent : rinus serotina, Lyonia lucida, ^arracenia flava, Sarracenia turijurea liame of Species: Sarracenia rubra (Sweet iDit::her riant j Species legal status: Threatened throughout, exploited li'umber of populations or. site: T--/o seen .one marginal to sit; "'um/cer of individuals per population: About 10 Size or mafority of individuals: Had not flowered this year Disturbance or tnreats to population: V.'o'-ild probably benefit '"^■^^^^uent '"*" ^^ _ 70 _ Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: Low pocosin, and ecotonal between savannah and Millis Swamp Topography: Plants were on a hummock of Sphagnum Soil series: Leon and Murville sand Microclimate: Sunny, moist Drainage basin: Newport River Other plant and animal species present: Sphagnum Other rare species that might occur on tract: Lysimachia asperulaefolia (Endangered endemic). Found by Snyder, 1977, in the general area and possibly within this tract. Solidaa:o pulchra (Endangered endemic). Tract is within range of species. Fothergilla gardenii (Threatened peripheral). Occurs less than a mile from this tract. Notable species on the tract, although ont endangered or threatened: Pinguicula pumila. Found on tract in 1977 (Snyder, 1978, and personal communication with Wilson, 1977). This is northernmost locality at which this species has been foimd. e. 3i:mmary - Endangered and Threatened Species - .Animals Name of Species: Red-cockaded woodpecker Species legal status: Endangered (Federal) Number of populations on site: 2 or 3 Number of individuals per population: Approx. 3 Size or maturity of individuals: Breeding (at least one nest) for the last few years General vigor of population: Population appears stable ■'SKWE^MS^aSiSa^i'SrafJiHiKwmasMlv'iim.a-.itniii.K-,- 71 DisturbeLnce or threats uo population: ?otential cf loss of mature tinber on site Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: prir.arily Finus talus tr is /Aristiia Drainage basin: liewt'Ort River Other plants and animals species present : I^epenient en maturt pines for cavity trees riame of "pecies: Red-shouldered hawk Species legal status: Threatened Ilximber of populations on site: Dne liumber of individuals per population: Approx. 3 Tract is a feeding area for individuals that apparently nest in Peak Svarcp IJace of Species: Bachman's sparrow Species legal status: Threatened li'uTiber of individuals on site: 10 to 2C in 19'^9, fewer in 1?50 Size or mat^^ity cf individuals: Breeding, yo'ung seen in l?iG Disturbance or threats to population: Jire needea tc suppress subcanop;. and shruc xayers and rrovidf t;-ich .rrass cover Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: Pinus ralustris /'Aristida stricta Drainare basin: I'.'ewrort River r.ther tlants and aniiials srecies tresent; thick Aristiia cover jther rare srecies tr.at might recur on tract: .L-^j-. t~^r di ar '^nuc-^C'^' vo-^~~^|rr^^..-;s _^^ ^anc*^^~ C • 'Ve ^mcv r: z no Infinite reccris for tnis tract, but tnere are reccrcs fcr t;:e general area. Russell fcjjid a dead individual on Millis Road 1 -r a — . .- ii V I _72 _ liotable species on the tract, although not endangered or threatened: Henslow' s sparrow. Winter resident on tract. Considered to be of special concern status for North Carolina. Species is decreasing appreciably throughout the United States. Reference : Cooper, John et_ al_. 19'^5- Endangered and Threatened Plants and .-xiimals of North Caroli.na. i'l.C. Museum of Natural History S"^/^,pcsi-um. l»^fSSKWSf£W«'!?.K5asi«K3a!S«e2Bsis«ii; rTJT^AV ft F Vj?»> 1 r "'" , > / ^1 ' ■\ /: \ . .3*'/ Ie-^ 0 A^Kt^ "V-.:" / u ^1 ' \ ns 12 610 000 FEET 57'30" =21 322 (SALTER PATH)\ 5653 III NW SCALE 1,24 000 a:: MAP 9: MILLIS ROAD LONGLEAF PINE SAVANNAH NATURAL AREA (from Masontown Quadrangle) I MASTER SPECIES LIST . 74 _ FLOKA Acoraceae Apiaceae Aqu ifoiiaceac Asc le p iadaceae Aster ft coae Blechnaceae Burmanniaceae Clethraceae Convolvu laceae Cy per ace ae Acer rubrum C.?ntella asiatica Eryngiura integrifolium OxypoIiB ternata Ilex case ine var Ilex coriacea Ilex glabra myr t ifol i a Asclepias pediceliata Aster 1 inar i 1 f ol ius Aster paludosus Aster tortifoliufl Balduina uniflora Carphephorua bellidifolitjs Carphephorua tomentosuo Coreopsio angustifoiia Eupatorium iv=;ucolepiE Eiipatoriura recurvans Er ige r on ve rnu s Helianf. hiis angustifoiius HeLeiotheca nervoda Liatris graminifolia Liatris apicata vai. reainma Marshallia gr atnini f o 1 ia Pterocaulon py cnos t achyum Solidago fistuloaa So i idago s tr ic t a Trillsa odor a C is a i ma Triliea panic u lata Woodward ia virginica Burmannia biflora Clethra alnifolia Cuscuta compacta Carcx walteriana Eriophorum virginicum Fitnbr is ty 1 is autumnalis Fuirena squarrosa Rhynchospora cephalanthus Rhynchospora cha 1 a r oc e pha 1 a Rhynchospora chapmanii Rhynchospora ciliaris Rhynchospora fascicularis Rhynchospora pallida RhynchoKpora plumosa Scleriaspp. l5F^?55'(^NaKHWr^'ffQ3lKrsfiaffjrt>:y/=M)i»™:m'.To 75 D i apens iaceae D ionaeacr ae Droser aceae Lr iocau Iaceae Ericaceae Euphorbiaceae Fabac e 3' Fagaceae Gen t ianaceae Haemodoraceae Hyper ic aceae Ir idaceae Jun c ace ae Lamiaceae Lauraceae Linaccae Lentibulariaceae Liliaceae Pyxid nLl.eia barbulata Dionaea muscipula Drosera capillarie ^rosera intermedia Eriocaulon decangulare Lachnocaulon minus Lyonia ligustrina Lyonia lucid i Lyonia mariana Vaccinium atrococcum Vaccinium coryiubosum Vaccinium craesifolium Vaccinium tenellum Zenobia pulverulenta Cnidoscolus stimulosue Desmodium tenuifolium Galactia regularis Quer cu 8 inc ana Quercu s lae v is Bartonia verna Bartonia virginica Sabatia difformis Lachnanth^s caroliniana Hypericum reductum Hypericum stans Iris verna Juncua biflorus J uncus dichotorauB Juncus scirpoides Pycnanthemum flexuoeum Per sea borbonia Sassafras albidum L inum striatum Pinguicula pumila Utricularia subulata Aletris farinosa Lil ium catesbae i Smilax bona-nox Smilax laurifolia I - 76 - Logan iaccac Lycopodiaccae Magno 1 lace ae Melastotnataceae Myricaceae Orchidaceae Osmund aceae P i n a c e a e Poace ae Po lyga laceae Pr imu laceae P ter idaceae Rosaceae Sarraceniaceae Tofieldia glabra Tofieldia racemoea Zigadenus dcnsus Zigadenue j>laberrimu8 Ccleeinium flemporvirfina Lycopodiutn a 1 opecu r o ide s Magnolia virginiana Rhexia alifanus Rhexia lutea Rhexia mariana Rhexia petiolata Myr ica cerifera Myrica cerifera var. pumila Myrica heterophylla Calopogon pallidus Calopogon pulchellus Cleistes divaricata Habenaria blephariglottis Ilabenaria ciliaria Habenaria cristata Osmunda cinnaroomea Pinus palustris P inus ser o t ina Andropogon scopariue Andropogon virginicus Aristida strict. a Arundinaria gigantea Ctenium aromaticuTn Panicum portoricense Panicum virgaturo Panicum spp. Tridena flevua Polygala cruciate Polygala hookeri Polygala lutea Lysimichia loorosii Pteridium aquilinum Sorbufl arbutifolia Sarracenia flava Sarracenia purpurea Sarracenia rubra iSSS^iS'fSKaWiri-JSnS'ajm'iWTssimRKiiitmim I^JIWlPKViKWIt?!?*:^^!? - 77 - Scrophulariaceae Sphagnace ae Theaceae Xyridaceae Agalinis linifolia Agalini.8 obtusifolia Agalinis setacea Agalinis virgata Gratiola piloaa Seyraeria caasioidee Sphagnum spp. Gordonia lasianthus Xyrifl caroliniana Xyr is ap . In this '"fall" list, we include species we remember seeing on previous occasions. J _ 78 _ MAfi'i'i.i^ nrEciE:' i,l:;t i''/\'':i/^ Ainpriibian: Oak toad Do ut hern toad DoijLhorri cricket fro{3 'Irec-'i troefroc 1 im womU:; Lrt;. ' I'rt), ' Dqui rj'.?l treijf ro;'; Gray tree fr or; [ntt.le r-v:t-::- fv^- riOiit rvrri 'pnv n./ (There is a srriall borrow ]-'Ond at the vestern c-d,-.o tbiO ainpiiibiauL-. art: f.:;iaul.; j i:i.' I,' ri: ii.'itt 'Wii!' Ill' ii I I I'll,' ■ 1 or" t]\>' tract whe^e mont of Re}X)tilea Eant.eni rr.u 1 turr.le Fa.':ti,'rii box turtle Carolina anole ; .i X- 1 i ncd racerunnt r Ear.;t*jru (;■• in t,l This snake is endanf;iM-ed. ) ^orvii. li:; -it (' rai'.i'ier Birds P = permanent resident 3 = summer resid.' nt Tu!'re,■K^ll^r- NATURAL AREA DIVERSITY SUMI'lARY Climate: A. Mesothermal; AA. Warm Temperate. B. Cool, Moist; BB , Moderately hot & Moderately warm, Moderately wet & Moderately dry. C. Very long; CC . Similar to regional. Extremely dry to Extremely wet. Soils: A. Entisol; AA. Psamment. B. Quartzipsamment ; BB . Typic quartz ipsamment , BB . Aquic quartzipsamment. C. Thermic, uncoated typic quartzipsamment, C. Thermic, uncoated aquic quartzipsamment; CC. Leon. A. Histosol; AA. Fibrist, AA. Saprist. B. Medi- fibrist, B. Sphagnof ibrist , B, Medisaprist; BB . Typic medi- fibrist, BB. Limnic sphagnof ibrist , BB. Lemnic medisaprist. C. Thermic typic medifibrist, C. Sandy, coprogenous , euic, thermic limnic sphagnof ibrist , C. Coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic medisaprist; CC . Peat, CC. Muck. Geology: A. Pleistocene, Sedimentary; AA. Deposit, B. Planner Beach Formation; BB . Siliceous. C. Highly acid; CC . Quartz sand . Hydrology: A. Emergent wetland, A. Vascular aquatic, A. Floating- leaved aquatic; AA. Seasonally to permanently flooded. B. Fresh; BB . Acid. C. Unconsolidated sediments, C. Organic bottom; CC . Siliceous, CC . Carbonaceous. Hydrography: A. Broad Creek &, Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrine; AA. Natural impoundment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds, Interaqueous depths and substrates. C. Smooth, C. Hummocks; CC . Open, variously exposed, nearly level to gently sloping slopes. Topography: A. Ridge; AA. Old beach ridge system. B. Patsy Pond Area; BB. Sand ridges, BB . Constant slopes, BB . Flats, BB . Seepage zone. C. Gently undulating, C. Smooth; CC . Open, variously exposed, nearly level to gently sloping slopes. DISCUSSION The Patsy Pond Natural Area is a series of naturally impounded ponds on the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina. These ponds occur in an area which is an old beach ridge system of Pleistocene age (Newport sand member of the Planner Beach Formation). The Newport sands consist primarily of well-sorted sands believed to constitute barrier deposits emplaced on the downdrift side of an ancestral Neuse River (Mixon and Pilkey, 1975). Near the study area, this member has been shown to overlie a layer of bluish-gray clayey sand and abundant molluscan and ostracod fauna (indicative of Pleistocene age). The study site seems to be on an erosional slope of a broad sand ridge. Wind, sheet and stream erosion has produced very gently sloping sand ridges and sand flats. The stream.s flow into either the West Prong of Broad Creek or the East Prong of Sanders Creek. The ponds appear to be products of natural impound- ing of old stream.s. J - 82 - The vegetation of the area provides excellent examples of community types and their zonation. Definite relationships exist between these cornmunity types, their substrates, and their moisture. These relation- ships are depicted in Table 4. A noteworthy feature is the occurrence of the Mixed Herb Community Type, a unique zone varying from mesic sand to wet-hydric peat. The sandy areas are associated with openings in the Scrub-Shrub System border. We believe that fire has opened up these sandy areas by burn- ing the Scrub-Shrub and the accumulated peat off the soil surface. A broad overlap of species occurs from mesic to wet-hydric, and from sand to peat. Other species appear to be restricted to micro-edaphic features. The wetter areas, which are more resistant to burning, conceivably are seed reserviors for herbs associated with this Community Type. Several noteworthy species that occur here are listed under Marsh Herb System in Table 5. In addition, the area harbors a complex of plants referrahle to Ilex cassine. Intraspecif ic taxa (Radford et at., 1968) have been recognized as species by some authors (e.g., I]ex myrtifolia Walter). Both varieties (sensu Radford et al., 1968) occurring here are distinctive, however, many intermediates exist, hence, providing a good taxonomic study site. The conservation of Patsy Pond Natural Area is quite justifiable. The general reasons are: 1) the presence of several endangered and threatened species (Table 5); 2) the presence of a unique assemblage of plants (i.e.. Mixed Herb Community Type); 3) the presence of a unique geological features (i.e., natural ponds on the Outer Coastal Plain of North Carolina which are not Carolina Bays); 4) the historical significance of the area as perhaps being a Neuse River Paleochannel (Mixon and Pilkey, 1976); 5) and the added feature of the natural area as an "outdoor classroom: for taxonomic, ecological, geological, and pedological studies. Certainly Patsy Pond Natural Area constitutes a valuable natural heritage which deserves recognition and conservation for both ourselves and our posterity. ■■'^TWttI3yS^lSPSSSaSVTaslS«S1Wf!«^>KWWWnw?M^«JA«MiMnk^ - 83 - REFERENCES Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany. 8th ed. American Book Co. New York. Hardin, J. W. , et al. North Carolina Rare. Endangered and Threatened Plant Speclea List. North Carolina Museum of Natural History Bulletin (in preparation), Mixon, R. B. and 0. H. Pllkey. 1976. Reconnaissance geology of the submerged and emerged coastal plain province. Cape Lookout Area, North Carolina. Geological Survey Professional Paper 859. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Radford, A. E.,et al. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carollnas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. Small, J.K. 1972. Manual of the Southeastern Flora. 2 Vol. (facsimile reprint of the 1933 edition). Uafner Pub. Co., New York. U.S.G.S. 1970. The National Atlas of the United States of America. U.S. Depart- ment of Interior, Washington, D.C. MAP 10: PATSY POND NATURAL AREA (taken form USGS Topographic Map, Salter Path Quadrangle, Th' , 1949, 1 :24,000) or: 01 u « u 3 CO B Id J3 a a •a 0) r-l S 3 8 u •S :& 0) Ck. 4) ^ 4-1 O "O U3 9) '-^ B U IS 00 ki U a ^ « 8 0 0) ao ID U « (U C4 • a o 01 I o «M >-' "O "O m u f-t T* Sua 0> "H « 00 i (0 O C » >» I 4J O 01 4i 3 •o Id U 3 60 3 a -S 3 u w a 4J 4J 3 g w « a U3 c a 9 V) 3l O r-* C 4J 0) U O M M B T3 flj u 4J in «8 3 U a en fl> >» o V 09 g I a 0) a a) 4J LO 3 a 0) T3 «a « a w a «j fi 3 •> or U •H O a. 0) 3 ft U RJ O. 8 « a a s. o kl m V a jO O to "O 4J e u u 4J O 3 a 0) •O 0) 0) 9) 4-1 O. « -H O N o IS 4 T3 U 3 O O u o u u o u o 1 0) u IS IS c rH U u 3 a o I a o 0) « IS 0) a a: s en I i u en 01 "O > V 4) .-4 5 ^S 4J , 43 > V 4 1 § ■« O 4 U O 0) O 3 •o or B r O 0) M ^ O t CM CO CO 1 CO CO CO rH r r^ CM CO CO 1 1 CO CO iH • • • • * f-t CO 1 1 f-l CM + CO CO 1 1 eo •H • • tn 1 r CM t , , 1 1 • 1 1 1 • 1 • 1 «» 1 i-t , 1 1-1 • • t + r • 1 ■<» 1 1 iH 1 • • • • • in a 3 1 1 IS go a CM ! (S 0 o a V) CD I4>t T3 iH •w s S'J y 4J 3 r-^ a c IH K tn u o >% CJ p^ o Wi to 0) 3 « • « aj 2 >N >, rH S M O > "> hJ O > Je -J X hJ I-l o. ^ 2 u & o 2 ^ e CO X s CO 0) N •H M > rH 0) Oi > rH f-t to • 00 cj rH to • CO iH tn • CJ CM rH en Cj' rH rH to • CJ o CO 6 a\ CO • 00 en CJ en u en CM . CJ m iH o 0) a CO CO CO CM CO CM CO CO CM CO CM CO CM CO CO CO CM CO CO 3 u . > -r< ac 0) O 4) 1- 33 ft* to H X (U N iH CO > o ••^ o > on - 88 - ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: VeRetatlonally— -Conlf eralean-Fagalean-Ericalean Gyumosperm Woodland System with a canopy of large, excurrent, evergreen trees, a subcanopy of large, deliquescent, deciduous trees, and a ehrub. layer of typical dwarf to tall dwarf, rhizomatous, deciduous shrubs. Climatically — Warm, temperate mesothennal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the summer (July) , moderately warm and moderately dry In the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedologically — Leon, thermic, uncoated typic quartzipsamment soil. Geologically — Highly acid, siliceous, Flanner Beach, unconsolidated, quartz sand deposit. Topographically — Open, variously exposed, nearly level to gently sloping, constant slopes with a gently undulating surface and open, variously exposed, nearly level flats with a smooth surface on an old beach ridge system. Temporally and spatially — Pyroclimax stage of a psammosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. COMMUNITY REFERENCES: All community analyses in this study have no specific references. See bibliography after discussion. Throughout the remainder of the paper this section will be omitted from the summary. COMMUNI'nr DOCUMENTATION: Same as General Documentation throughout the study. COMMUNITY DIVERSITY SUMMARY PATSY POND Scrub-Shrub System Shrub zone Normal to tall, rhizomatous, deciduous and Ericales OR Magnoliales/Ericales evergreen shrubs ; OR CYRILLA RACEMIFLORA/LYONIA LUCIDA/VACCINIUM ATROCOCCUX Cyrllla racemiflora LITSEA AESTIVALIS /LYONIA LUCIDA Litsea aestivalis SOILS: A. Entisol; AA. Psamment, B. Quartzipsamment; BB. Typic quartzipsamment. C. Thermic, uncoated typic quartzipsamment; CC. Leon. Topsoil: 0-70 cm, light gray, fine to medium sand, pH 3.9. Subsoil: 70 cm +, dark reddish brown, fine to medium sand, pH 3.9 (hardpan). GEOLOGY: A. Pleistocene, Sedimentary; AA. Deposit. B. Flanner Beach Formation; BB. Siliceous. C. Highly acid; CC. Ouartz sand. TOPOGRAPHY: A. Ridge; AA. Old beach ridge system. B. Patsy Pond Area; BB. Seepage zone. C. Gently undulating; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. SHRUB LAYER DOMINANTS: Normal to tall, rhizomatous, deciduous and evergreen shrubs. SHRUB ANALYSIS: See Table 7. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: Vegetationally — Erlcalean or Magnolialean-Erlcalean Scrub-Shrub System with tall to normal, rhizomatous, deciduous or evergreen shrubs. Climatically — Warm, temperate mesothermal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the „ summer (July), moderately warm and moderately dry in the winter (January) and with a ' very long Frost Free season. Pedologically — Leon, thermic, uncoated typic quartz ipsammer soil. Geologically — Highly acid, siliceous, Flanner Beach, unconsolidated quartz sand deposit. Topographically — Open, variously exposed, nearly level seepage zones with a gently undulating surface on an old beach ridge system. Temporally and spatially — Pyroclimax stage of a psammosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. 'ism!iv.sm^mm.t - CO 00 I— i E- sr • V) • CM J r-4 CO • o • c» to • 00 p~ • vO CO • m to • »a- CO • fO CO u n • 1 • 1 • • + 1 ro '. '^ en 1 1 1 in r «N CM r '* •' CO 1 tn en 1 1 1 « • • • • ■ • m 1 tn m 1 1 1 en 1 «n m m en en • • • • ■ • • m 1 1 m •* 1 1 1 m en (n m 1 , , • • • • • • • m + CM ir» 1 1 1 m 1 1 en en 1 1 • • ■ • • • • m 1 1 m eM ' ' m 1 <^ m en 1 1 • • • • • • • m 1 CM m «M 1 1 tn 1 1 en 1 1 1 • • • 1 1 • in • 1 • • 1 1 , _] .J a: gg h to CO • ^ u u CO a 60^ 0) u > J O M t-l V) < •H 03 (0 C =) i-H •r4 ei —t o a -H U CO t-i to CO -H l-H a a « , « -H ^ c g M to M M J e en X S m 01 > i-t T0.irij^n-,- -9 1 COMMUNITY DIVERSITY SUMJIARY PATSY POND Marsh Herb System Tall, rhlzomaCoua, deciduous herbs Mixed herb zone Mixed herbs MIXED HERBS Mixed herbs SOILS: A. Entiaol; AA. C. Thermic, uncoa Topsoil: 0-40 cm, Subsoil: AG cm +, Topsoil: 0-16 cm, Subsoil: 16 cm +, HYDROLOGY: A. Emergent C. Unconsolidated HYDROGRAPHY: A. Broad AA, Natural impoun zones; EB. Zone. Psamment. B. Quartzipsamment; BB. Aquic quartzipsamment. ted aquic quartzipsamment; CO. Undetermined. light gray, fine to medium sand, pH 3.9. dark reddish brown, fine to medium sand, pH 3.9 (hardpan) . black, peat, pH 4.0. light gray, fine to medium sand, pH undetermined. wetland; AA. Seasonally flooded. B. Fresh; B3. Acid. sediments, C. Organic bottom; CC. Siliceous, CC. Carbonaceous. Creek & Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrine; dment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds, Interaqueous C. Smooth; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. SHRUBS: None present. HERB LAYER DOMINANTS: Tall, rhizomatous, deciduous herbs. HERB ANALYSIS: See Table S. HERB SPECIES PRESENT, BUT NOT IN ANALYSIS: MEDIUM HERBS-Bartonia paniculata Polvgala lutea, TALL HERBS-Agalinis purpurea. Erip.eron vemus, Eriocaulon compressum, PoRonia ophioglossoides, PolvBonum hirsutum, Solldago fistulosa, S_. tenuifolia, VERY TALL HFRBS-Eupatorium caplllifolium var. capillifolium. TALL GRASS ES-Panicum verrucosum. MEDIUM FERN ALLIES-Lycopodium carolinianum, SMALL HOSSES-Sphagnum sp. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: Vegetationally — Mixed Marsh Herb System with tall, rhizomatous, deciduous herbs. Climatically — Warm, teniperate meeothenaal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the summer (July) , moderately warm and moderately dry in the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedologically — Thermic, uncoated aquic quartzipsamment soil or Peat, euic, thermic typic medlfibrist soil. HydroloRJcallv — An emergent wetland with a bottom of siliceous unconsolidated sediments or carbonaceous organic material wnich is seasonally flooded by fresh, acidic water. Hvdro graphically— A series of natural impoundment ponds of the palustrine syatea with open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes wich a smooth surface and with a drainage system consisting of Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which flow into Bogue Sound. Temporally and spatially — Pioneer stage of a hydropsammosere or a hydrohistosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. J u H U O + cn I CM m CM m I I I I I CM in cn 1 CM I I I I I CM + I I CM rH i' CM r <-* I CM -H + m cn I r-( (M I I cn I m cn I CM CM + + td 113 01 a s o o s • 1-1 -H 5 aa O > i-i a 3 CO « <0 ■H 0) f-l U O Q. >w B •H o C O 3: >. 5 41 CO B 4) O •H U O iJ l-i o a. en a to 3 ui ■H 2 c o eg a. hJ I -»■ I 3 tH l-l o m -H 00 3 u a -H o o e XI ao f-i 0) o ao a w eg O 1-1 3 >-i > U •o c C • 3 < < n CM + I IS U O 0) o _ + + a IS 4j ta Xi -H ao Wi ■H eg l-l <-! » 3 y eg -H O 4) a P es O eg M 1-1 JS tH a. -H o l-l m > C 4) I r r r r + I r eg ao n Cm ft- a. oi w C/3 3 M > -J 5^ -H e/1 'H U O h- 1 H « < -H C eg < M ^1 U u -J P =3 O ai u tb eg 2 4) O M .J 3 O O. H CJ t-i C/J 3 a Q u • o 3 OS m »,xt - 93 - COMKUNITY DI\T:RSITY SUMMARY PATSY POND Marsh Grass System Panic grass marsh Tall, stoloniferous, deciduous grasses Poaceae PANICUM HEMITOMON Panicum hemitomon SOILS: A. Histosol; AA. Fibriet. B. Sphagnofibrist; BB. Limnic sphagnof Ibrlst. C. Sandy, coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic sphagnofibrist; CC. Peat. Topsoil: 2.8 m, black, peat, pH 5.5. Subsoil: light gray, fine to medium sand, pH undetermined. HYDROLOGY: A. Emergent wetland; AA. Seasonally flooded. B^. Fresh; BB. Acid. C. Organic bottom; CC. Carbonaceous. HYDROGRAPHY: A. Broad Creek & Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrlne; AA. Natural impoundment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds, Interaqueoua zones; BB. Flat. C. Smooth, C. Hummocks; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. One transgressive of Pinus serotina present. SHRUBS: None present. HERB LAYER DOMINANTS: Tall, stoloniferous, deciduous grasses. HERB ANALYSIS: Observation only. Cover is almost 1002 Panicum hemitomon. HERB SPECIES ALSO PRESENT: TALL HERES-Pogonia ophioglossoides, EMERGENT STOLONIFEROUS AQUATIC S-Utricularia sp. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: Vegetationally — Poaceoua Marsh Grass System with tall, stoloniferous, deciduous grasses. Climatically — Warm, temperate mesothermal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the summer (July) , moderately warm and moderately dry in the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedologlcally — Peat, sandy, coprogenous, ieuic, thermic limnic sphagnofibrist soil. Hydrolog:icallv — An emergent wetland with a bottom of carbonaceous organic material which is seasonally flooded by fresh, acidic water. Hydro graphically — A series of natural impoundment ponds of the palustrine system with open, variously exposed, nearly level flats with a smooth surface or with huimnocka and with a drainage system consisting of Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which flow into Bogue Sound. Temporally and spatially — Pioneer stage of a hydrohistosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. - q4 - COMMUNITY DIVERSITY SUMMARY PATSY POhTO Vascular Aquatic System Panic grass bed Tall, emergent atolonlferous grasses Poaceae PANICUM HEMITOMON Panlcum hemltomon SOILS: A. Hlstosol; AA. Flbrlst. B. Medlflbrlst, B. Sphagnoflbrlst; BB. Typlc medlflbrlst, BB. Llmnlc sphagnoflbrlst. C. Eulc, thermic typlc medlflbrlst, C. Sandy, coprogenous, eulc, thermic llmnlc sphagnoflbrlst; CC. Peat. Topsoll: 0-3 m, black, peat, pH 5.5. Subsoil: Sand. HYDROLOGY: A. Emergent wetland; AA. Permanently flooded. B. Fresh; BB. Acid. C. Organic bottom; CC. Carbonaceous. HYDROGRAPHY: A. Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrlne; AA. Natural Impoundment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds. Aqueous zones; BB. Zone. C. Smooth; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. SHRUBS: None present. HERB LAYER DOMINANTS: Tall, emergent atolonlferous grasses. HERB ANALYSIS: See Table 9. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: Vegetatlonally — Poaceous Vascular Aquatic System with tall, emergent atolonlferous grasses. Cllmatlcally°-Warm. temperate mesothermal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the summer (July), moderately warm and iwderately dry In the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedologlcally — Peat, eulc, thermic typlc medlflbrlst or sandy, coprogenous, eulc, thermic llmnlc sphagnoflbrlst soil. Hydrologlcally-— An emergent wetland with a bottom of carbonaceous organic material which la permanently flooded by fresh, acidic water. Hvdrographlcally — A series of natural Impoundment ponds of the palustrlne system with open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes with a smooth surface and with a drainage system consisting of Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which flow into Bogue Sound. Temporally and spatially — Pioneer stage of a hydrohistosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. ^J^?S?\\*P$yvMi:^;^niK5r?ftM*stHi'^sja?s^ .vmmsn Tirtffvwni v^wT--,-^ -94 a - COMMlTiUrY DIVERSITY SUMMARY PATSY POND Vascular Aquatic System Tall, emergent stolonlferous aedges OR Tai.1, emergent rhizomatoua sedges ELEOCHARIS EQUISETOIDES/NIJPHAR LUTEUM Eleocharls equisetoides/Nuphar luteum OR Spikerush or beakrush bed Cyperaceae/Hyicphaeales RHYNCHOSPORA INUNDATA/NTJPHAR LUTEUM Rhynchospora Inundata/Nuphar luteum SOILS: A. HlBtosol; AA. Saprlst. B. Medlaaprist; BB. Limnic medlsaprist. C. Coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic medlsaprist; CC. Muck. Topsoil: Muck, pH 5.5. Subsoil: Sand, pH undetermined. HYDROLOGY: A. Emergent wetland; AA. Permanently flooded. B. Freeh; BB. Acid. C. Organic bottom; CC. Carbonaceous. HYDROGRAPHY: A. Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrine; AA. Natural impoundment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds, Aqueous zones; BB. Zone. C. Smooth; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. SHRUBS: None present. ill I HERB LAYER DOMINANTS: Tall, emergent stolonlferous sedges or tall, emergent rhizomatoua sedges. HERB ANALYSIS: See Table ^. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION; Vegetationally — Cyperaceous-Nymphaealean Vascular Aquatic System with tall, emergent stolonlferous sedges or call, emergent rhizomatous sedges. Climatically— Warm, temperate loasothermal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the summer (July), moderately warm and moderately dry in the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedolosicallv — Muck, coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic medlsaprist soil. Hydrologically— An emergent wetland with a bottom of carbonaceous organic material which is permanently flooded by fresh, acidic water. Hydro graphically — A series of natural impoundment ponds of the palustrine system with open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes with a smooth surface and with a drainage system consisting of Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which flow into Bogue Sound. Temporally and spatially — Pioneer stage of a hydrosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. 95 _ COMMUNITY DIVERSITY SUMMARY P/^TSY POND Vascular Aquatic System Bladderwort mat OR Watermllfoll bed OR Nyrapholdes bed OR Spatter-dock bed OR Water-lily bed* Free floating aquatics Scrophulariales Submergent rhizomatous aquatics OR Haloragales Rooted-floating leaf aquatics OR Gentlanales Emergent rhizomatous aquatics OR Nymphaeales Rooted-floating leaf aquatics Nyrnphaeales UTRICULARIA OLIVACEA MYRIOPHYLLUM LAXUM NYKPHOIDES CORJATA Utricularla olivacea Myrlophyllum laxum Nymphoides cordata NUPHAR LUTEUM NYKPHAEA ODORATA Nuphar luteum Nymphaea odorata SOILS: A. Histoaol; AA. Saprist. B. Mediaaprist; BB. Limnic madisaprist. C. Coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic medlsaprist; CC. Muck. Topsoil: Not determined. Subsoil: Not determined. HYDROLOGY: A. Vascular aquatic, A. Floating-leaved aquatic, A. Emergent wetland; AA. Permanently flooded. B. Fresh; BB. Acid. C. Organic bottom; CC. Carbonaceous. HYDROGRAPHY: A. Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which drain into Bogue Sound, Palustrlne; AA. Natural impoundment ponds. B. Patsy Pond and associated ponds, Aqueous zones; BB. Constant slope, BB. Pond zones of varying water depths and substrates. C. Smooth; CC. Open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes. CANOPY: None present. SUBCANOPY: None present. SHRUBS: None present. HERB LAYER DOtQNANTS : Free floating aquatics, submergent rhizomatous aquatics, rooted- floating leaf aquatics, or emergent rhizomatous aquatics. HERB ANALYSIS: See Table 9. ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION: Vegetationally — Scrophularlalean, Haloragalean, Gentianalean, or N>-mphaealean Vascular Aquatic System with free floating aquatics, submergent rhizomatous aquatics, rooted-floating leaf aquatics, or emergent rhizomatous aquatics. Climatically — Warm, temperate tnesothermal climate: Cool, moist yearly, moderately hot and moderately wet in the suamer (July) , moderately warm and moderately dry in the winter (January) and with a very long Frost Free season. Pedologlcally — Muck, coprogenous, euic, thermic limnic medlsaprist soil. Hydrologlcally — An emergent wetland, vascular aquatic zone, or floating-leaved aquatic zone with a bottom of carbonaceous organic tuaterial which is permanently flooded by fresh, acidic water. Hydro graphically — A series of natural impoundment ponds of the palustrlne system with open, variously exposed, nearly level slopes and pond zones with a smooth surface and with a drainage system coDBisting of Broad Creek and Sanders Creek which flow into Bogue Sound. Temporally and spatially — Pioneer stage of a hydrosere in the Sea Island Section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Combinations of these ""Iso occur. 1 as r— 1 1 CO H r-t in • l-t • in • -3- • • CM V) • • O CO • a* in • oo • r^ • * • (n CO • < fo CN CM + «» ■* + + cs I i CM CM I I CM < IS z l-l o « z •H l-l 4 <: 1-1 3 CJ hi o o o o o 41 a "O 4) -H O O OS a Q. Ill o Oi hi << C < o H * -a- in in in m + I ? CO s CM + CM + 3 S 4J Z z O *J CD H-l .H p « P CO m j: o aw o 3 o ce: z ds 09 « V ^-« ■o -* ■H m o i~« U 00 0) 3 c « ^^ o T^ a 3 • O v a. u 4) aj -H g 00 J= Oi u <0 41 U 3 CtlTJ a o CO (0 CO Z iJ I O CJ M M < < CO I-] z M o CO Cl] l-l CJ u a, CO bJ Oei CjSg l-l b U CD- . B| -H ■H » (0 c« c U •H o JD rH X> vu O •H hi .a X s 0) N •H CO > 4) tH 4) CO "4) > 4) .-I at ai A = LOCATION OF 2 ACTIVE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER CAVITY TREES B = LOCATION OF RIVER OTTER SIGHTING I j PROPOSED ADDITION TO NATURAL AREA AREA PROPOSED BY OTTE AND -rT -I^ WHETSTONE 1979 rl ^ • 3 ° MAP 11: PATSY POND NATURAL AREA ■i^ VAJr^<-.H lelanH 98 - Addendum to Natural Heritage Program Report on Patsy Pond Natural Area - by Otte and ^^^^etsto^e 1979. by John Fussell and Jeannie Wilson 1 December 1980. As part of our survey of natural areas of Carteret County during 1980 (contract work to Natural Heritage Program for the Office of Coastal Management), we surveyed the area of freshwater ponds and shallow marshes lying W and NW of the ponds studied previously by Otte and IJhetstone. We wished to find out if these additional ponds were also of significant natural value and if the rarer species of plants found by Otte and Whetstone were also present in the more NW ponds . We surveyed the area 11 and 14 October and beiefly on 13 November. We found none of the rarer plant species, but, in the case of the aquatics, this could have been due to the extremely dry summer and early fall. However, we were impressed with many features of these ponds and marshes. Some of these areas are obviously naturally impounded sections of former drainage systems; however, there are also depressions that exhibit "sinkhole" form. Some of these are less than 50' across with no water or wetland vegetation; larger ones have open water and/or marsh. Also this area has 2 or more marsh areas that are associated with Carolina bays. The ponds and marshes have a rather wide range of vegetation, which is generally different from the ponds to the SE . There are several zonation patterns associated with the ponds and marshes (many different from the ponds to the SE); one interesting situation was a dense band of Cassandra calyculata in one of the Carolina bay marshes. For these geological and botanical reasons, we recommend the addition of this area to the Patsy Pond Natural Area. Also within this additional area, we found 2 active red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees (See Map I'j. An addition to the rare fauna of the Patsy Pond Natural Area is the crawfish frog (Rana areolata) (species of special concern). Dr. Julian Harrison, College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. collected this species in the 1950's (pers, com. to Fussell Sept. 1980). Collection was either at Patsy Pond or one of the immediately adjacent ponds. Also, we saw a river otter at site B (see Map 11) 13 November. The Patsy Pond Natural Area is much in need of more frequent fire management. Especially needed is the determination of the effects of fire on the shrub vegetation on the slopes of the ponds and marshes in a natural situation; currently these areas are pro- tected from fire by the presence of fire lines between them and the more flammable Pinus palustris/Quercus laevis/Aristida striata community. Unfortunately, human abuse of the natural area continues. ^''i^^^^^S^^J.^^!C^'^:S^^^lS3^^pfiHf^^'a^l9SmsamstiV3:'mS'ifiKi:9iri->^ 99 Shacklef ord Bank Name of Area: Shackle ford Bank Location: Carteret County, North Carolina; Beaufort and Marker's Island 7.5 min. USGS topographic quad map; separated from Cape Lookout at the eastern end of the island by Barden Inlet and from Bogue Banks at the western end by Beaufort Inlet and is bounded by Back Sound and the Atlantic Ocean (see map 12). Ownership and Administration: Presently Shackleford Bank is in divided private ownership. The entire island is to be acquired by the National Park Service (NFS) as part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore . Size: 2280 acres (923 ha). Land Use: Shackleford Bank has retained a degree of rem.oteness and wildness since public transportation to the island has been lacking and private boats provide the only means of access. The proposed raanagem.ent plan by the NPS provides ferry service to Shackleford for a limited number of visitors in addition to the existing private boat access. Presently, a few private vehicles such as cars, dune buggies and motorcycles exist on the Bank, but Park plans prohibit vehicular use and provide no on- island transportation once land acquisition is completed. The island is virtually free of development except for private "fish camps" which dot the sound-side landscape. Pending the time when leases and life estates terminate, these cottages will be removed, and this land, like the undeveloped portion, will be classified as- wilderness . The primary land use is beach recreation on both the ocean and sound sides, fishing, camping, hiking and nature study. Authorizing legislation for the Park also permits hunting and shell-fishing in designated areas. Furthermore, the island is used extensively as an outdoor laboratory and education grounds by many universities and research facilities throughout the East for the study of barrier island ecology. Dangers to Integrity: Under the classification of natural (wilder- ness) zone, Shackleford will be relieved in part from some of the presently existing pressures of uncontrollerd land use such as off-road vehicles. Nevertheless, other threats to the natural integrity have been cited: The Army Corps of Engineers have proposed dredge spoil sites on Shackleford from their activities in Beaufort Inlet. Feral animals (cows, sheep, goats and horses) Compiled from information in the N.C. Natural Heritage Program files. Additional information is available from the Heritage Program, DNRCD, Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh, N.C. (1980). - 100 - roam the island and are considered to impart destructive impacts to dune and maritime forest vegetation thereby accelerating the encroachment of sand upon the forest. Further studies are planned before final decisions to remove the livestock are announced. Solid wastes litter the island and in some cases are hazardous to visitors. Protection Status: Under NFS administration, all of Shackleford is proposed as a "natural zone" and will be recommended and protected as a wilderness with minimal visitor facilities. Reasons for Significance: Shackleford Bank is a remote island in the Outer Banks chain which, unlike other barrier islands, has been relatively undisturbed by people during the last 7 years. The Bank is approximately 9 miles long varying in width up to one half mile. Its east-west orientation situates it perpendicular to the prevailing winds thereby resulting in unique physiographic characteristics which provide an interesting contrast to the other barrier islands of the Outer Banks. The eastern two thirds of the island resembles the barrier islands to the north: low dunes near the ocean, grasslands, low shrub trees and an extensive salt marsh. Scattered throughout this portion of the Bank, occasional "ghost trees" and stumps mark the former existence of a once extensive maritime forest. The area is now an over-wash formed during severe storms and now claimed by sea oats and other salt tolerant dune grasses. In contrast, the western end of Shackleford features dunes 30-40 feet high formed by prevailing on-shore winds. The high dunes provide an effective barrier from wind and salt spray for the sound side vegetation. As a result, an extensive and well developed maritime forest still remains. This beautifully formed, remnant forest is one of the last undisturbed examples of this type of ecosystem. It is composed primarily of Eastern red cedar, live oak, American holly, and Loblolly pine. Another notable feature is the presence of permanent, fresh water ponds such as Mullet Pond which supports the unique Marsh killifish (Fundulus conf luentus) . "Marshes are distributed between thickets or on the sound side of the forest. Also, wherever the ground surface approaches the water table inside the forest, wet thickets or or fresh marsh is formed. As a result, maritime forest, thickets and marshes compose an intricate vegetation pattern," (Au, 1974). Associated with the marshes are vast, lush grasslands which extend into the sound in some places. Here ungulates, mostly feral horses, can be seen grazing; the Shackleford horses compose one of the last free ranging herd of any consequent size in the East. Furthermore, Shackleford serves as a nesting ground for the Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle, an endangered species. It also supports many plants of special status such as Drummond's Prickly Peat (see Table 10), which can be found between the dunes. In short, Shackleford exhibits a much greater plant and animal diversity than any other of the Cape Lookout National Seashore islands due to the physiographic features of land- wind orientation and the presence of the 85 maritime forest. - 101 - Moreover, it contains more rare and endangered plants and animals than the other islands of the Outer Banks without a complete overlap in species composition. Shackleford Bank warrants recognition as a natural area for its wilderness, biotic diversity and unique ecosystems and its significance for the scientific study of barrier islands. Preserve Recommendation: Because of the geological, biological and phyaographical diversity, Shackleford should remain and be protected as a natural area with efforts to promote it as a recognized wilderness. It is recommended that the island serve as an ideal study ground for barrier island ecology and that such studies be encouraged in order to accrue further knowledge for the management of such systems. Data Sources : Preston D. Riddle, Supervisor and staff. Cape Lookout National Seashore, Beaufort, N. C. Paul J. Godfrey, National Park Service Cooperative Research Unit, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass. John 0, Fussell, Morehead City, N. C. Jeannie Wilson, Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N. C. National Park Service, General Management Plan and Environ- mental Impact Statement, Scientific References: Au, S. (1974) Vegetation and ecological processes on Shackleford Banks, North Carolina. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series No. 6. 86 p. Engles, W. L. (1952) Vertebrate fauna of North Carolina coastal islands. II. Shackleford Banks, Am. Midlt. Nat. 47: 702-742. Godfrey, P. J. and Godfrey, M. M. (1976) Barrier island ecology of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and vicinity, North Carolina. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series. No. 9 160 p. Lewis, I. F. (1917) The vegetation of Shackleford Bank. N. C. Geol. Econ. Surv. Eco. Pap. 46. 32 p. Documentation and Authentication: Voucher specimens and docum.entations are all on file at the Cape Lookout National Seashore headquarters in Beaufort, North Carolina. See Management Report: Preliminary Resource Inventory of the Vertebrates and Vascular Plants of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, Management Report No. 22. Herbaria, etc. for voucher specimens are listed for described species. - 102- Table la. Special Animals on Shakleford Banks Special Name Conmon Name 2 No. N^ Status Sites Habitat Caretta caretta caretta Natrix sipedon williamengelsi Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle E Caroline Salt Marsh SC Snake Open seas, warm waters, 20 nests on beaches 4 Seaside and estuarine conditions on Outer Banks Fundulus confluentus Marsh killlfish SC Coastal freshwater marsh ponds Taken from Cooper, J. E. , S. S. Robinson, and J. B. Funderberg (Eds.). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N. C, Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N. C. 444 pages + i-xvi. Number of recorded occurrences of species in state kno^-m by the Natural Heritage Program as of July 1979. Explanation of Status Categories Animals E - Endangered T - Threatened SC - Special Concern UD - Undetermined ■a?fl'^S5?BSB«*S!RS('MffiB!!Hi!1B5*'iBW{S(,™:RiOMW!>- - 103 - Table 10 . Special Plants on Shakleford Banks Scientific Name Common Name Status 2 * Habitat ARalinis maritime Saltmarsh gerardia Seaside foxglove EP Salt marshes Corallorhlza Spring coral root TP Swamp forests, wisteriana rich ravines Opuntia drumraondii Drunmond's prickly pear TP Sand dune:^ and sandy pine woods Parletarla floridana Florida pellitory EP Maritime forests LudwiRia repens Creeping marsh- purslane EP Ditches, ephemeral pools Rhynchospora odorata Fragrant beakrush TP Swamp forests and low disturbed areas Ludwigia microcarpa Tiny fruited seedbox EP Ditches and marshes Ludwlgia alata Winged seedbox EP Marshes * These plants are no longer listed as endangered or threatened by the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection Program. Taken from Cooper, J. E. , S. S. Robinson, and J. B, Funderberg (Eds.). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N. C, Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N. C, 444 pages + i-xvi. Explanation of Status Categories Plants EE - Endangered Endemic ED - Endangered Disjunct EP - Endangered Peripheral ET - Endangered Throughout TE - Threatened Endemic TD - Threatened Disjunct TP - Threatened Peripheral TT - Threatened Throughout EAST SHACKLEFORD BANKS FERRYBOAT DOCK ORIENTATION SIGN CAPE LOOKOUT POINT AREA FERRYBOAT AND NPS DOCKS WATER AND COMFORT STATIONS VISITOR CONTACT STATION SELF - GUIDED INTERPRETIVE TOUR RANGER AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES V7 CAPE LOOKOUT CAPE LOOKOUT LIGHTHOUSE HISTORIC ZONE MAP 12: SHACKLEFORD BANKS EAST MARKERS IS j VISITOR CONTACT ADMINISTRATIVE FERRY TERMINAL STAFF HOUSING VISITOR AND STA PICNIC AREA INTERPRETIVE TF I Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area Name of Area: Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area and adjacent undis- turbed areas. County: Carteret Location Description: This area consists of the largely undeveloped tract of approximately 450 acres that is bounded by Bogue Sound to the north. Pine Knoll Boulevard in Pine Knoll Shores to the northeast. Iron Steamer Pier to the southeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Ramada Inn property to the west. The "nucleus" of this tract is the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area (255 acres), which is administered by the Division of State Parks & Recreation, Department of Natural Resources and Com- munity Development. See Map 13. Topographic Quadrangle Map: Mansfield Ownership: See Map 14. Report Prepared by: John 0. Fussell, III 1412 Shepard Street Morehead City, N. C, 28557 Jeannie Wilson Hampton Mariners Museum Beaufort, N. C. 28516 Date: 1979 Other Persons Knowledgeable about Site: Dr. Vincent Bellis Department of Biology East Carolina University Greenville, N. C. 27834 Mr. David M. DuMond Biology Department University of North Caroina at Wilmington Wilmington, N. C. 28401 Mr. Mark Joyner North Carolina Marine Resources Center Route 1 Morehead City, N. C. 28557 105- TRACOASTAL 0 Daybeacon o Daybeacon M • U I'R E-^-^ ^t WATERWAY o Light o Daybeacon o Daybeacon o Daybeacon B 0 G U E Hoop P 0 N S L 0 w MAP 13: ROOSEVELT NATURAL AREA - 107 - Current Use and Protection Status: The area covered by this report consists primarily of four tracts: 1) the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area which consists of 265 acres. This area was set aside to remain in its natural state; it is admin- istered by the Division of State Parks. 2) the North Carolina Marine Resources Center tract which lies within the Theodore Roosevelt Natiu'al Area. This tract, which is administered by the Department of Administration, consists of approximately 25 acres. Approximately five acres have been developed for the Resources Center building, parking lots, etc. At this time, there are no plana to develop or alter the other 20 acres. 3) approximately llU acres between the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area and Pine Knoll Boulevard in Pine Knoll Shores. Most of this area is still undeveloped and in its natural state. The Pine Knoll Shores town hall is at 'the edge of this tract, and there la an electric sub- station, a water tower, and a' power line right-of-way within it. All this tract is zoned for commercial development. As much of the tract is swamp forest, its use as a commercial area would of course require the destruction of the tract as a natural area. Some of this tract that is adjacent to Bogue Sound is marshland and is thus designated as an area of environmental concern. I4.) approximately I4.7 acrfts between the Salter Path Road arid the ocean. This tract is largely in its natural state; there are a few footpaths through it and several surveyors' transects. It is zoned commercial/ residential, i.e. motels, condominiums, etc. The seaward strip that is within 75 feet of the mean high water mark is designated as an area of environmental concern. Vegetation and Plant Conanunities: The presence of a relict beach ridge system with its alternating dime ridges and swales (trovighs) is an important determinant of the vegetation of the area. This topography has resxilted in many levels of moisture and salinity within the area, which has contributed to several habitats and a large nvmiber of plant species. Within the area, plant composition is also related to distance from the ocean, i,ei^ to salt spray intensity. The appendixed Natural Areas of (Theodore) Roosevelt Natural Area (prepared in 19714- for the Division of State Parks) discusses the natviral commimities of the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, which is largely representative of the total area covered by this report. However, the area south of the Salter Path Road (and not within the Theodore Roose- velt Natural Area) borders the ocean and includes beach and a narrow dune zone. Also, thB forest south of the highway is "more maritime" than the forest north of the highway- - - i.e. it is more sheared by salt spray and more strongly dominated by live oak fQ\;ercu3 virginiana). red cedar ( J\jnlperus virglniana ) , wild olive (Osmanthus americana), red bay (Persea borbonia j. Uarolina cherrylaurel jFrunus carollnl'ana), etc, - 108 - Physical Featiu'es; This area's physiognamy is determined largely by the presence of a prominent relict beach ridge system. The ridges range from approx- imately two to 20 feet above sea level, .'Elevations of the interlying swales range from sea level to two feet. Seaward, the dime ridges essentially parallel the present shoreline. Soundward, many cxirve tovzard the northwest. This curvature Is of geological interest,^ Fisher (1967) thought that his curvature was not due to a migrating inlet. The ridge system has been largely stable for a very long period, Fisher (196?) suggested that the sound-side ridges are at least approximately 1200 years old. This stability, as compared to the relative instability of most sections of North Carolina's barrier islands is also of geological interest. Rare Plants and AnimeuLs: Plants- . Species Status in North Carolina Halodule beaudettel Pari et aria floridana Opuntia drumroondii Apialinis raaritima Animals- American alligator ( Alligator mississi-ppiensis ) Atlantic loggerhead tCaretta caretta caretta) Brown pelican Great blue heron Great egret Snowy egret Little blue heron Louisiana heron Yellow-crowned night heron Black-crowned night heron White ibis Black duck Red-shouldered hawk Osprey Comments S5^S?f^.ViS^!3Mcai5k^WRKfi!UXlSTBffi^R»RW3^^ 'TWCTVWWVJWSf^ Threatened Occurs in adjacent soxmd Endangered p eripheral < , Threatened p eripheral Endangered p eripheral - 1 - 1 Endsmgered s 1 Resident- sometimej nests in area Endangered May rarely nest, or attempt to, on ocean beach Endangered Adjacent ocean and sound j Special concern 1 Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Threatened Nests in area I Special concern Nests in area | Merlin Peregrine falcon King rail Gxill-billed tern Laiighing gull Least tern Common tern Royal tern Sandwich tern Black skimmer Purple martin (Wayne ' s ) Black- throated green warbler Swains on 's warbler Prothonotary warbler - 109 - Threatened Endangered Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Migrant in area Migrant in area Adjacent ocean and so\and Adjacent ocean and Bownd Adjacent ocean and sound Adjacent ocean and sound Adjacent ocean and sound Nests in area Nests in area some years Nests in area Publications and Scientific References; Fisher, J.J. 1967* Development pattern of relict beach ridges. Outer Banks barrier chain. North Carolina, Doctoral dissertation. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, N.C. Flora Species List; See appendixed Vascxilar Plants of (Theodore) Rocsevlet Natural Area (prepared in 19714- for the Division of State Parks). This includes almost £l11 plant species that ocour.;in the area covered by this report. Fauna Species List; See appendixed Fiah, Amphibians. Reptiles and Mammals of (Theodore) Roosevelt Natural Are'a and Summer Birds of (Theodore jRoosevelt Natural Area (both prepared in I97I4. for the North Carolina Division of State Parks ), To the bird list, the following species should be added: VThite Ibis- visitant all year Black Duck- winter visitant Merlin- uncommon fall transient Peregrine Falcon- rare fall transient Sandwich Tern- transient - 1 10 - Evaluation of the Site's Ecoloprjcal Significance; 1) This area is neolonically sif^nificant bocauso the v;cll -defined system of ancient relict beach ridges is virtually undisturbed. The fact that the ridges have been stable for so long is of interest, as is the fact that those next to Bogue Sound curve northvzestward. It is also interesting that several large shoala in adjacent Bofeue Sound have the same northwest-southeast alignment as the northward ends of the relict beach ridges on the island, / 2) The stabilized relict beach ridge system has contributed to a large number of habitats in a relatively small area. Wetland habitats are salt marsh, brackish marsh, fresh marsh, temporary ponds (both fresh and saline), shrub swamp, swamp forest, and pond holes. Plant communities of the ridges are maritime forest and maritime shrub '.-i thicket. The most slf^nlf leant of the above are the maritime forest and swamp forest. In North Carolina, maritime forests are. rapidly being destroyed by man. This area i's now the least htiraanly disturbed example of the type of maritime forests in the state south of Cape Hatteras, those that are dominated by red cedar and broadleaf ever- green species such as live oak, laurel oak (Quercus laxirifolia), red bay, wild olive, and Carolina che r r yl aur el , "This is also the only area in the state where there still remains a complete cross- section-- ocean to sound-.- of maritime forest. The tract o^ forest south of the Salter Path Road is especially unique. No where else in North Carolina does forest occur so close to the ocean — as close as 200 feet to mean high water, (Adjacent similar areas have been or are now being altered by h\iman development.) It should be noted that this is the "natural" situation here — old charts show the same forest to ocean proximity in the mid to late iSOO's. This seaside tract of forest is dominated by live oak. It is probably the only tract of live oak-dominated forest in the state that is on a site that has apparently been stable for several hundred years. The 3v;amp forest of the area is also unique. This is the only tract of swamp forest on the barrier islands of North Carolina, It is interesting that bald cypress (Taxodium dlstichum) is absent here. Also interesting is the relative abundance of ash (Fraxinus tomentosa)* 3) This area is important to a large niaraber of rare species: a) There are two endangered plant species and two threatened plant species in the area. b) The endangered American alligator is resident and, at least occasionally, nests within the area; the loggerhead tiortle may occasionally nest on the ocean beachj the endangered brown pelican feeds in the adjacent ocean and sound; the endangered peregrine falcon sometimes uses the area during the fall migration, c) The threatened red-shovildered hawk nests in the area every year, and the threatened merlin uses the area during the fall migration, d) Also, 22 bird species of special concern occur in the area; at least four of these nest within the area. Ein M • O JR E~~^it-^^ oDay&eacon o Oaybeacon ^4T€:/9WAY a Light o Daybeacon o Daybeacon oDaybeacon B 0 V E + M037-1 |«- Iron Steamer Pier Ramada Inn Property M037-1-1 3.77 acres M037-1-3 1 1 acres M037-1-4 12 acres M037-1-5 10 acres M037-1-6 1 0 acres M038-1-1 60 acres (approx M038-1-2 24.2 acres M038-1-3 2 acres M038-1-4 27 acres M038-1-5 1 acre First Citizen's Banl< and Trust Co. Frances Webb Roosevelt, Box 736, Pine Knoll Shores, Morehead City, NC 28557 Theodore Roosevelt III (address as above) Grace Roosevelt McMillan (address as above) Cornelius van Schaak Roosevelt (address as above) T.R. Roosevelt III, et a]. Box 736, Pine Knoll Shores Morehead City, NC 28557 T.R. Roosevelt III, eta], (address as above) Carteret-Craven Electric Membership Corporation Morehead City, NC 28557 Town of Pine Knoll Shores Carolina Water Corporation, Pine Knoll Shores MAP 14: OWNERSHIP OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT TRACT - 1 i 1 - e) Two species, although not listed as rare, are still of special interest. An orchid (Triphora trianthophora) is primarily a mountain species — its relative abundance in the maritime forest of this area is very interesting. A fresh- water clam (Sphaerium sp.) occurs in the swamp forest. There is some possibility that this could be an endemic race or species. f) The area also has a large number of species that, although not rare, are of interest because they are near their northern limit. It also harbors several species that are generally rare or absent elsewhere on North Carolina's barrier islands. 4) This area is used regularly for scientific research. Geological, botanical, and zoological research have been done here. At least two theses are based partly on research done in this area. 5) This are has educational value. Educational groups — especially school groups — use the area, including both beach and forest areas, for field trips and field projects. 6) There is at least one historically notable point about the area. Toward the west end of the tract, there is an old sound to ocean path that dates back to the 1800 's. This was one of many samll footpaths that once crossed the island. The community of Salter Path was named for such a path . Management Recommendations: (Note: this area is listed in the Register of National Natural Land- marks and State Registry of Natural Heritage Areas) Clearly, this area, with its prominent relict beach ridge system, many different plant communities, excellent examples of maritime forest (especially, the area where forest occurs so close to the ocean), the unique presence of swamp forest, the large number of rare and endangered and other notable species, and scientific and educational value, is deserving of area of environmental concern status. Furthermore, we can envision no development in the area that would be consistent with the continuation of the values of this natural area. Between Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area and Pine Knoll Boulevard, any development would require the filling in of the swamp forest and thus the destruction of the area as a natural area. Development south of the Salter Path Road might be done tastefully, but the most tasteful development in adjacent maritime forest areas still effectively destroyed the forest, since virtually all the canopy is removed. If, of the total land included in this report, only the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area rem.ains in its natural state, then it is very likely that at least two or three of the rare and endangered species now in the area will be exterminated from it. _ 112 _ Regional Significance Atlantic Natural Area Natural Area Name: Atlantic Natural Area County: Carteret Location: This tract of land lies northwest of the community of Atlantic. Specifically, it lies along both sides of the section of N.C. 12 between U.S. 70 and Co. Rd . 1387. It includes the tract extending about 1.75 miles nw. of N.C. 12 and 1.25 miles to the southeast of N.C. 12. The center lies 34°54 ' N. , 76°23'30" W. See Maps 1 and 15. Topographic Quadrangle: Atlantic and Long Bay, N.C. Size: ca. 3000 acres Elevation: 3 to 16' above sea level Access: Easily accessible from N.C. 12 with many sand roads going into the area along the sand ridges Names of investigators: John 0. Fussell, III and Jeannie Wilson Date(s) of investigation: Study from November 1979 through May 1980 Individual dates of visits: November 23, 1979 February 24, 1980 March 31, 1980 April 13, 1980 May 24, 1980 Also, Fussell made many brief visits looking for birds and listening for frogs from 1970 to the present. Legal status and use: Ownership type by percent area — Private 100% Number of owners: two Names of owners or custodians: Duke University, Durham, N.C. Sailors Snug Harbor, Atlantic, N.C. 28557 -1 13- MAP 15: ATLANTIC NATURAL AREA CO •H >> >. 0 M — 1 r— 1 M ■H CO t. ;i; 0 ^ _) i-H I-' d • o 0 o D Pi ^ M •" -p CTJ c •rH ■ >, -P 0 o3 t. -. cr X C-'i ~ o ^ 0 r^ 3 0) _J u -P CO d. ■o c ■H o 0 " x^ — 0) 4-> ^ cu — ^ 0 CO ~ •H o •^ a c; to E s^ CO x: 0) CD "^ 3 i. 0 J-, Cm - -1 c ^ - u^ m •rH (Ti ^ -1-3 x: 3 o CO o t; CTJ CO •a zz o 0 ;-. >> D CO > CD o H O c -p u _> CD ■H CTJ XI JP • :o c.^ c 0 P> (J ■ Q) • o D. c •H l^ o r^ JZ rH o "* CO ■H JP ZZ u CTJ n 01 E >i ■4-> r^ o i) -p aa CTJ 0 o - — C2 i^ CO 5 o 0 CO •H p jj CTJ • -p -a CD Q. f— Cm 0 0 CO ~ o CTJ CTJ CTJ ra ^ c CTJ CTJ o Q) t^i CD _j o sz :„-, - XI 0 •r-l ^^ — 3 ^ 0 ■3 :0 5 CO tw D CO ^ 0) X3 u JP O \^ • t. rH c> -P x: >-, 0) 0) o i^ •H L Jh ^ -p o CO -P C2. 0 M c CO pi ■p CTJ CO > •H T3 u CTJ CTJ CO XI Q' ■a .— i CO -s — ■H o u 0 - — - 55 0 ^ 0 ;ci ■r-l •r-l U (D -P ■H > a; CD Q) o 3 u •p u o -p o ^ ^^ -iJ J-J -^J CO =0 o ctj •p >> XI — 1 L') r-l x; >. rn c ;^ CD 3 •p ca a CO 0) C CU c CO -p r-^ ;;^ .— 1 ■5" -p C ^ 0 • c: 0 >, CTJ i^ CO a tn O 3 •H 0 0) -p O 0 cs D o S-, :j -T:: CO 0 1, •H ^ n) u CD CJ -C -o •r-l ■"" CD ~ .-( rH i. 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SIGNIFICANT SUMMARY - 117 - Use of Natural Area: The primary low intensity use of this area is hunting. Although the area has not been systematically logged recently, the cumulative effect of many private individuals cutting longleaf pines on the ridges is noticeable. The m.ain intrusion of the area is its use of a dumping area, but dump sites are mainly restricted to one sand road. Use of surrounding land: a. Wildland 95% b. Agricultural land 5% Management Problem Description Impact Effort Control of human overuse and abuse- affects natural 2, possibly 1 control of dumping land if closing roads to dumping is done effectively Vegetation and animal management. significant 2 Area would benefit from a fire features management program. Presence of jeep trails natural land 2, pissibly 1 if roads can be cloaed to vehicles, Preservation status: Private land, not protected by owner. Regulatory protections in force: There are no regulatory protections that we know of. None of the land is an AEC , which includes intertidal areas. The land to the north of the study area is part of the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. The same kinds of habitats exist within part of the refuge (longleaf pine ridges, pocosins, and Carolina Bays), but the total area of these habitats is small. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: unknown Threats: Threat Category *SF logging pines 2- threat of destruc- * tion known, but not immediate dumping 2 jeep trails 2 development (probably 3 or 4- no known threat * confined to dry areas) & a possibility that a threat will develop within 5 years peat raining 4- no known threat & no * likelihood that a threat will develop within 5 years - 118 Management and Preservation Recommendation: Considering the sorts of natural values of this tract, it is difficult to delimit features that are more worthy of preservation than other features. One value of the tract is its size, and any diminishment in size increases the liklihood of species within being extirpated. This is true of species such as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker that are restricted to an already small "island" of suitable habitat and species that require large "wilderness" tracts, such as Bald Eagle and Black Bear. There is a possibility that Duke University may sell the tract northwest of N.C. 12. Since the land has virtually no commercial value, it is probably not threatened by any sudden extreme alteration. If it were sold, the m.ost likely future alteration might be the building of homes along the highway. This would have little immediate direct impact on the rest of the area, but would detract from the near-wilderness character and could also lead to a decrease in the incidence of wildfires that are important in maintaining certain plant communities. Considering the fact that the Cedar Island National Wild- life Refuge abuts the northwest portion of this tract and that particular portion includes all the endangered and threatened species we found, it might be appropriate for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire most or all of that area. The Fish and Wildlife Service is certainly an appropriate agency to administer a fire management program which the area badly needs. If the Fish and Wildlife Service were to acquire the land northwest of N.C. 12, and if Sailors Snug Harbor, which probably is not considering selling the land, could be made to realize the natural significance of their land through the Natural Heritage Program, then the entire study area would be reasonably well preserved. However, a fire m.anagement program for the area southeast of N.C. 12 would still be lacking. - 119 - 2k . Natural Characteristics Surrjr.ary a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary Community Type: 1. Pinus palustris/Myrica cerif era/Gaylussacia frondosa/Aristida s^ric^a i.weso of ;;.C. iZ, or 1. Pinus palustris/Myrica cerif era/ Leiopnyllur. buxif olium/Aristida s'ricta ^eas:. of '.'..Z. 12} 2. rinus serotina/mixed r.ectns/Sphasnur. spp, ' Smilax laurifolia. Community Cover Type: 1. Pinus palustris 2. Pinus sero^ina General Habitat Feature: 1. Relict interior dune, savannan 2. Carolina 3ay, Fccosin in cune sv;ales. Average tree height: 1. 30' 2. 25' Estimated Age of canopy trees: 20 to 3C years old judging by size Trees vjere not cored . Estimated size of association: 1. 1200 acres 2. 1300 acres ^approx, Successional Stage: Transient and climax present. It varies throughout because of regular fires. Sere type: 1. Psanmosere 2. Hydrcsere or psarrjr.csere Common canopy species in ccmr;unity cover type or co.-rjnunity type (but not dominant;: 1. Quercus laevis , C. virginiana, Pinus taeca, Fersea borbonia 2. Fersea bcroonia, -.cer rucrur. , l^yssa sylvatica Common subcancpy-shrub stratum species in community cover type or community type ..but not dominant;: heterophylla. Common herb stratum species in community type .n:t dominant^ 1. Aster linariif olius , Heterotheca nervosa. ^^ —-'-^"-n-- - -• • — •-■-—, ...^.: i-wd, _^^_. ;3^^^ _ Fanicum portoricense , Fteri^ium acui_inum. 2. Jarracenia flava, rvgalinis obtusiiolia, Xyris car-liniana, Fhyncnostora stt., V."oodv."ardia virgin^ca. - 120 - Soil Summary Source of information: Soil Conservation Service, USDA. 1979. Soil Survey of Carteret County, N.C. (interim report). Gina Boccetti , Soil Conservation Service, Beaufort, N.C. Series: Leon Sand Order: Aerie Haplaquod, fine loamy, silicious, thermic (Spodosol) pH Class: extremely acid to strongly acid (3.6-5.5) Moisture class: wet to droughty, cemented pan. Community: Pinus palustris, ridges. Series: Mandarin Sand Order: Typic Haplohumod, sandy silicious, thermic (Spodosol) pH Class: Extremely acid to medium acid (3.6-6.0) Moisture Class: wet to droughty. Community: Pinus palustris, rims of Carolina bays. Series: Murville Sand Order :Typic Haplaquod, sandy silicious, thermic (Spodosol) pH Class: Extremely acid to strongly acid (3.6-5.5) Moisture Class: V/et, floods, cemented pan. Community: Pinus serotina, Carolina Bays, and pocosin. Series: Ponzer Muck Order: Terric Medisaprist, loamy, mixed, dysic, thermic (Histosol) pH Class: Extremely acid to very strongly acid (3.6-A.5) Moisture class: ponding, floods, percolates slowly. Community: Pinus serotina, Carolina Bays. c. Hydrology Summary Drainage basin: Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Long Bay Hydrologic System: 1. Terrestrial 2. Palustrine Hydrologic Subsystem: 1. Dry xeric t.o very dry xeric 2. interaquecus Water Chemistry: fresh, very strongly acidic to acidic V/ater regime: 1. Terrestrial- permanently exposed 2. Non-tidal- semipermanently flooded ^o saturated, d. Summary-Topography and Physiography Topographic site type characteristics: Irregular coastal plain with slight relief Land form: Carolina bays, relict dunes and swales. Shelter: open - 121 - Aspect.: Relict cunes and Carolina :;ays generally run in a northwest direction. In the southeast section of :;he area, the dunes run in a northeast direction. Slope angle: Nearly level 0-2 "o gently sloping 2-6 . Profile: Dune ridges are convex, Carolina bays are ccncave. Surface patterns: Swell and swale Position: Mot applicable Physiographic site type of natural area: A:lanric ;uter coastal plain. Pleistocene estuarine barrier. Physiographic site type of con-unity cover type or connuniry Tyre: Relict beach ridges and swales. Geologic formation: Relict beach ridges ana sv.'ales, Carolina Bays. Geologic formation age: Pleistocene. Recent narine quartz sands of a pleistocene barrier "Atlantic Barrier". References: R.B. Mixon & O.H. Pilkey. 197c. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province , Cape Lookout Area, N.C. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper S59. U.S. Govt Printing Office. V/ashington, D.C. "Atlantic Sand (Pleistocene). Quartz sand, well-sorted; in northeast and central parts of ouucrop area, forr.s norz.nwesT- trending beach ridges, average surface elevation is IC to 15 feet, ranging upv;ard to 20 feet. Soutnwest part of ou'crcp area is characterized by lower relief and arcua-e, northeas:- trending sand ridges; arcs are convex northv.'esf.<-ard. Slii:hiiy to strortgly elliptical northwest-oriented depressions, sor.e with well-developed sand rims and organic fill, trunca:e beam and dune-ridge topography" (Mixon i Pilkey, 1975, plate 1 . - 122 - e. Summary - Endangered and ::hreatened species (see Figure 1) *Name of species: Fothergilla gardenii Species legal status: Threatened peripheral ■'lumber of populations on site: only one observed, probably r^cre exist, .'lumber of individuals per population: only 1 plant, observed. Size or maturity of individuals: Reproductive stage-flowers abundant Disturbance or threats to populaticn: no knoi^m threat Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: vjide ecotonal area between longleaf pine ridge and pond pine shrub {pocosin, Q Topography: slight slope to 2 } between relict beach ridge and swale or Carolina cay. Soil Series: Murville sand Drainage basin: Thorofare Bay (via small creeks) Other plant and animal species present: Pinus palustris, Gaylussacia frondosa, Zenobia pulverulenta, Pinus serotina. Mote: Plant species of special concern: ^eiophyllum buxifolium: This species is not recognized as threatened in North Carolina, but its presence on the sand ridges southeast of i.'.C. 12 is very interesting. The nearest counties where it occurs are Brunswick, Bladen and Robeson counties. It appears to be in the sar.e niche as Gaylussacia frondosa en the ridges nort.n'w'est of \'.C. 12. *Xyris f labellif orr.is : This species is net threatened, out is listei as rare in moist savannahs anc vjet ditches in Brunswick, Carteret and Onslow Counties (Radford et al , 1?6S. Manual of the Vascular rj of the Carolinas, UNC press). It was found in a ditch along the sar road going into the area northwest of ;,'.C, 12. --. d _ 123 - *!ianie of species: Rec-Shouldered Hawk Species legal status: Threatened IJumber of populations on site: one Number of individuals per population: 2 or 5 Size or maturit.'/ of individuals: presumed zo be adult nesting is H.-iely; General vigor of population: unknown listurbance or threats to population: no specific threats Habitat characteristics Vegetation association: ecotonal area between swa-p on northwest boundary of study area and poccsm. Topography: level to slight slope, 0 - 2 . Soil Series: Murville sand (flys over other types; Drainage basin: Thorofare Bay * Hane of Species: Bald Eagle Species legal status: Endangered We did not observe this species, but there are a few recent records for the stucy area or inmediately adjacent lands. An adult v;as observed perched in a tree just southwest cf the stuay area in Tece.T.cer lr~r (Kevin Hmtsa, pers . co;t.). The study area, co-cined wi"h adjacent extensive uninhabited areas, are potential eagle nesting hatita": . ^'iaite cf Soecies: ''Ountain lien ccur"ar Species ;;either cf us is qualii'ied to evaluate sign: records ci t: species. There is a recent sight record cf a r:ountain lien in this area cy a hunter. Identification r^ay or ~ay :.iz have bee: correct, i^evertheless , any occurrence of this species in the future will be related to the future alteration of presently "wild" land to the \vest. - 124 - *Name of species: Red-cockaded Woodpecker Species legal status: Endangered Number of populations on site: Possibly one Number of individuals per population: possibly 2 or 3 ;the species was sighted three times, 2- Feb. 24, 2- Mar. 31, and 1 - May 24.) These records may represent only tvjo individuals. Size or maturity of individuals: probably adult. Cavity trees may be within the area bounded by the three sightings . General vigor of population: Extremely small number of individuals, possibility of extirpation in the near future. Threats to population: Lack of fire management produces a lack of suitable habitat. They probably nest in pond pines. Habitat characteristics: Vegetation association: Longleaf pine/shrub, pond pine/shrub Topography: level to slight slope, relict beach ridges, swales and Carolina Bays . Soil series: Leon sand, Mandarin sand, Murville sand, Ponzer muck. Drainage basin: Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Long Bay *Name of species: Swallow tailed kite Species legal status: Undetermined We did not observe this species bui: zhere are two published records - one vjithin the study area in 1975 (Cnai. 42:62 and Carol Reigle, pers. com.) and one either within the study area or within land adjacent to the study area in 1965 , Chat 32:5C,. *!';ajne of Species : Osprey Species legal status: Of special concern only There is at least one nest of this species in the study are= (see map) . ' _ 125 _ *Narie of species: Black-throated Green Warbler Species legal status: of special concern only Two singing individuals were seen on i-Iay 2^ . Fussell alsc has previous record in the area: May 23, 1970 and April 15, 15''6. *lj"ame of Species: Swainson's V/arbler Species legal status: of special concern only Three singing birds were see:: on May 2^ . *Naine of species: Prothonotary V.'arbler Species legal status: Of special concern only Several territorial individuals were scattered throughout tne area on May 24 . *Narne of Species : Bachjnans Sparrow Species legal status: Threatened V;e did not find this species in 1930. However, Hewlett found tv70 singing birds here in 1972 (Chat 37:33;. Perhaps there was more suitable habitat in 19'i'2 because of a previous forest fire. *I»'ame of Species: Black Bear Species legal status: of special concern only V/e saw no signs of bear, but hunters retorted it in the area recently. r- - T ■ *Ma.'ne of species: Arithibians- Fine oarren Treefrogs ana Car Gopher Frogs . During our entire study period, there was net a single heavy rainfall. Thus, we aid not have good conditions for finding these amohibians . - 126 - Map legend and other details: (Refer to Map 16 on page 116.) A: Fothergilla gardenii ^site is approximate; B: Red-shouldered hawk sighting locations C: Osprey nest location D: Red-cockaded woodpecker sighting locations E: Black-throated green warbler sightings location F: Swainson's warbler sighting location Leiophyllum buxifoliurri is abundant on longleaf pine ridges on the southeast side of [.'.C. 12. Solid heavy line denotes highway Light solid line denotes najor jeep trail Dashed line denotes boundary of study area. Dotted line denotes general orientation pattern of longleaf pine ridges within different sections of study area; they do not represent individual ridges, but they do show where ridges are most prominent. Solid area denotes natural pond in Carolina Bay. Borrov; pits along jeep trails are not shown on map. Cross-hatched ellipses denote riinimu::. area of Carolina bays, those highly visible in aerial photographs. We used the ter- pocosin to refer to all evergreen shrut bog vegetation other than that which occurs m well-defmec bays. Thus the evergreen shrub bog vegetation in flat featureless areas and that in the inter-ridge swales are pocosin. All of the study area northwest of .\'.C. 12 ';19C0 + acres is part of a larger tract owned by Duke University. All of the study area southeast of U.C. 12 (1000 + acres! is part of a large: tract owned by Sailors Snug Harbor. Master Species List Longleaf pine ridge Carolina Bays, Poscsin Hardwood Swamp (nw boundary) Ponds, Borrow pits V/eeds (usually associated with Trees Aceraceae Fagaceae Lauraceae Magnoliaceae I\'yssaceae Pinaceae Rosaceae Salicaceae Theaceae Shrubs Anacaraiaceae Aquifoliaceae Asteraceae Clethraceae Cvrillaceae - 127 . FLORA L P S po trash) v; Acer rubrun. Querc'js laevis Q. nigra Q. virgir.iana fersea borbor.ia Sassai''ra3 albic-:.. Magnolia virgir.iar.a IJyssa sylvatica var. biflora Pinus palustris P. serotina P. taeda Malus puTiila Prunus seroT^ir.a Salix carol in iar.a Gordonia lasiar.rr.us nous co;aj.iina Ilex coriacea I. glacra 1 , oirac a I. vo~,i". oria Baccharis haii-iiT : lia Cle'hra alnii'clia Cyrilla racer.iflora L , r , : L L,S L L,r L L,F L,F,. L P L L L L,S P L,r - 128 - Shrubs Ericaceae Hamamelidaceae Hypericaceae Myricaceae Rosaceae Vines Convolvulaceae Ericaceae Fabaceae Liliaceae Loganiaceae Rosaceae Herbs Apiaceae Araceae Cassandra calyculata Gaylussacia dumosa G. frondosa Kalraia angustifolia var. caroliniana Leiophyllum buxifolium Lyonia lucida L. mariana Rhododendron atlanticun Vacciniur. atrococcum V. tenellum Zenobia pulverulenta Fothergilla gardenii Kypericurr. cistifoliun H.reauctuin H. stans Myrica cerifera K. cerifera var. pumila M. heterophylla Rosa multiflora Sorbus arbutifolia Calystegia sepiura Vaccinium crassifolium Galactia regularis? V;isi.eria sinensis Sr:;ilax bona-nox o . glauca S. laurifclia Gelsemium ser.pervirens Rubus trivialis Hydrocotyle verticillata po Feltandra virginica do F L L L,P, L/? L P L ?, L/P L,r P P,L/r L LPS L L,W L,r L, L/P L,v; Herbs - 129 - Asteraceae Campanulaceae Chenopodiaceae Cistaceae Droseraceae Ericaceae Eriocaulaceae Euphorbiaceae • Gentianaceae Haemodoraceae Haloragaceae Iridaceae Lamiaceae Lentibulariaceae Aster linariifolius L A. paludosus L Carphephorus tomentosus L Chondrophora nudata L Eupatorium capillifolium V/ E. leucolepis L ' E . recurvans L , P Helianthus angustifolius L Heterotheca gossypina L H. nervosa L Liatris spicata L var. resinosa Fyrrhopappus carolinianus VJ Solidago fistulosa L,P S. teniiifolia L S . stricta L ■ Trilisa odora::i3sima L T. paniculata L Lobelia nuttallii L Chenopodium ar-.brosioides V> Lechea leggettii L Drosera capillaris P,po Monotropa uniflora L Eriocaulon decangulare P,FO Lachnocaulcn ninus L Cnidosccius s::i;-ulo3U£ L Barconia verr.a L, L/i Gentiar.a au": jmalis L Lachnan^hes carolir.iana ? rroserpinaca pectina-a P,p3 Iris verr^a L Scutellaria ir.teErif olia L Finguicula casrulea r ,L/F Utricularia inflata po var . minor U. juncea ? U. subulata L Liliaceae Zi^adenus densus - 130 - Herbs Melastoraataceae Nymph ae ace ae Onagraceae Orchidaceae Polygalaceae Primulaceae Sarraceniaceae Scrophulariaceae Typhaceae Violaceae Xyridaceae Broininoids Cyperaceae Juncaceae Poaceae Rhexia lutea R. mariana R. petiolata Nymphaea odorata L L.P L,P po Ludwigia alterniflora P L. maritima P, po Calopogon pallidus L.P Cleistes divaricata L Spiranthes vernalis P Polygala lutea P,L/P Lysimachia looms ii P Sarracenia flava P,po S purpurea P Agalinis obtusifolia P.L/P A. purpurea P A. setacea L Seymeria cassioides L Typha angustifolia po T. latifolia po Viola primulifolia L Xyris caroliniana L,P X. flabelliformis P, L/P Carex walteriana P.po Eleocharis tuberculosa P Rhynchospora fascicularis L,P Rhynchospora spp. L,P Juncus dif fusissimus P»po J. effusus P»po J. scirpoides L.P Andropogon scoparius L A. virginicus L.P Aristida stricta L Arundinaria gigantea L.P Eragrostis refracta L Panicum hemitomom P.po P. portoricense L P. spp. L.P Sporobolus poiretii L - 131 - Ferns, Fern allies, Mosses Blechnaceae Lycopodiaceae Osnundaceae Pteridaceae Sphagnaceae Woodwardia virginica L,P Lycopodium appressum r Osmunda cinnaraomea P Pteridiun aquilinur; L Sphagnuni spp. P,po - 132 - Master Species List triJ...H Amphibians (list may omit a fev; species) Southern toad Oak toad Southern cricket frog Green treefrog Fine woods treefrog Squirrel treefrog Little grass frog Eastern narrow-rr.outhed toa: Bullfrog Carpenter frog Southern leooara fro^ Reptiles (list probably omits several species) Snapping turtle Eastern mud turtle Eastern box turtle Green anole Skink- Eumeces so. Eastern glass lizard Northern clack racer Rough green snake Southern copperhead Birds (list probably omits several species j Great blue heron Green heron* Swallow-tailed kite Red-shouldered hawk* Bald eagle Marsh hawk Osprey* Bobwhite* Mourning dove* Yellow-billed cuckoo* Barred owl* Chuck-wills -widow* Common nighthawk* Chim;ney swift Corjnon flicker* Pileated woodpecker* Red-bellied woodpecker*^ Yellow-bellied sapsucker nai!"-y v.'oodpecker Downy woodpecker Red-cockaded woodpecker* Eastern kingbird* Great crested clycatcher* Eastern phoebe Acadian flycatcher* Eastern wood pewee* Purple martin Blue jay* risn crow Carolina chickadee* Tufted titmouse* Brown-headed nuthatch* House v;ren Carolina x-rren* Gray catbird* American robin Wood thrush*'£ Eastern Dluebird* Blue-gray gnatcatcher* Ruby-crowned kinglet Cedar waxwing '.vhite-eyed virec* Prothonotary v;arbler* Swainsons warbler* Korthern parula*- Yellow rumped warbler Black-throated green war: Yellow-throated warbler* Pine v;arbler* Prairie warbler* ComjT.on yellowthrcat* Yellow-breasted chat* Hooded warbler* Eastern meadowlar'-:* Orchard oriole* Common grackle* >-* Birds - 133 - Brown-headed cowbird* Cardinal* Indigo bunting* RuaO'is-sided townee* Savannah sparrov Dark-eyed junco Field sparrow Swamp saprrcv; Matnrr.als 'list .Tiay omit several species. Opossum Black Dear vsee previous section; Raccoon ? Mountain lion isee previous section Eastern cottontail White tail deer Browns Island Name of Area: Browns Island Location Description: Browns Island is located within Straits (the estuary between Barkers Island and the towns of Gloucester and Marshallberg) . By water, it lies about h mile east of the bridge to Barkers Island. See Map 17. Topographic Quadrangle: Markers Island, N.C. Ownership: Brown family Report Prepared by: Jeannie Wilson and John 0. Fussell, III Date: May, 1979 Other Persons Knowledgable about Site: JoAnne Powell, Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 Allyn Powell, National Marine Fisheries, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 Current Use and Protection Status: Currently, Browns Island is in a relatively natural state, although there is at least one homesite on the northeast section of the island. There are evidences of several old homesites on the dune ridges. Cattle, horses and pigs graze on the island now. The major threat to the area is the plan for development (possibly into a community similar to Hilton Head, SC.) Lots are for sale at the present time. Because the "high" ground is less than 10' in elevation and consists of narrow relict dunes separated by marshes and development would require the filling- in of marshes. The soil is also very low for septic tanks. Charred tree trunks and stumps indicate the occurrence of fire on the island. The scarcity of Red Cedar (Juniperus vir- giniana) appears to be due to selective cutting. Otherwise, this species is very common in the area. Vegetation and Plant Communities: The distinct plant communities of Browns Island are related to slight changes in topography. The south side of the island and the swales between the relict beach ridges consist of salt marshes, dominated by Black needle rush (Juncus roemerianus) and Salt marsh cord grass (Spartina alter- niflora ) . Within the expanse of marsh on the south side is a live oak hammock. Tree stumps are present in the surrounding tidal creeks indicating that the land was probably higher forested ground in the past. The hamjnock appears to be what is left of a maritime forest. Live oak (Quercus virginiana) is the only tree species present with a number of herbs not found elsewhere in the marsh. -134- .Sam 2 Shell Point Pi Q 02 en O pi; o o M H Pi O PM w H C/3 0) •r4 u •u 0) CO O Di A I I ^ I I I H n3 OJ U O s: en 4-J u o 00 < -^ IXI t3 C cd en S-i Cd o H en ■u •H in - 138 - Rare Plants and Animals Salt Marsh Gerardia Creeping Marsh purs- lane Florida pellitory Brown Pelican Agaliais Maritina Ludwigia Repens Parietaria floridana Pelecanus occidentalis Double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus f loridanus Great egret Snowy egret Louisiana heron Glossy ibis Black duck Osprey Gull-billed tern Least tern Laughing gull Royal tern Black skimmer Casmaeodius albus Endangered periph- eral Endangered periph- eral rare, endemic endangered threatened special concern Egretta (Leucophoyx) thula special concern Hydranassa tricolor Plegadis falcinellus Anas rubripes Pandion haliaetus Gelochelidon nilotica Sterna albifrons Larus atricilia Thalasseus maximus Rhynchops niger Yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Black throated green warbler Dendroica virens Prothonotary warbler Protonotaria citrea special concern special concern special concern special concern special concern special concern special concern special concern special concern undetermined special concern special concern Carolina salt marsh snake Natrix sipedon williamengelsi endemic, undetermined Outer Banks Kingsnake Lampropeltis getulus stricticeps endemic, special concern - 139 - Publications and Scientific references: Brown, E.E. 1929. A list of mid-summer birds of the Beaufort region observed from June 12 to August 12, 1929. unpublished manuscript, in National Marine Fisheries library. Cooper, J.E., S.S. Robinson, J.D. Funderberg (eds). Endangered and Threatened Plants and An ima 1 s of North Carolina" N.C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh . Harper, Francis 1913. A list of birds observed in Carteret County, North Carolina from June 20 to September 16, 1913. Cornell Univ. Ithaca, N.Y. unpublished manuscript, in National Marine Fisheries library. Mixon, R.B. and O.H. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance geology of the submerged and emerged coastal plain province. Cape Lookout area. North Carolina. Geological Survey Professional Paper 859, Govt. Printing Off. Washington, D.C. Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles & C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. UNC press. Chapel Hill, N.C. - 140 - FLORA SPECIES LIST Salt Marsh shrubs : herbs : Live Oak Hammock Trees: Herbs : Vines Baccharis halimifolia Borrichia frutescens Iva frutescens Distichlis spicata Fimbristylis spadicea Juncus roemerianus Limonium carolinianum Salicornia virginica Spartina alterniflora Agalinis Maritima Quercus virginiana Allium bivalve Centella asiatica Cerastium glomeratum Elephantopus nudatus Geranium carolinianum Gnaphalium sp. Hydrocotyle umbellata Hypoxis micrantha Juncus bufonias Krigia virginica Limonium carolinianum Panicum spp. Plantago heterophylla P. virginica Rumex hastatulus Samolus parviflorus Spartina alterniflora Spergularia marina Stellaria media Parthenocissus quinquefolia Rhus radicans Rubus trivialis Maritime forest-shrub thicket: Trees Acer rubrum Cornus florida Gordonia lasianthus Ilex opaca Liquidambar styraciflua Magnolia virginiana Nyssa sylvatica Osmanthus americana Persea borbonia Pinus taeda Prunus serotina Quercus nigra groundsel-tree, silverlin sea ox-eye marsh elder salt grass fimbristylis black needle rush sea lavendar glasswort, saltwort salt marsh cordgrass salt marsh gerardia live oak false garlic centella mouse-ear chickweed elephant ' s foot cranesbill cudweed, rabbit tobacco marsh pennywort yellow stargrass rush dwarf dandelion sea lavendar panic grass plantain plantain sheep sorrel water pimpernel salt marsh cordgrass sand spurrey chickweed Virginia creeper poison ivy dewberry red maple flowering dogwood loblolly bay American holly sweetgum sweet bay black gum wild olive red bay loblolly pine wild cherry water oak - 14 1 - 1 Shrubs Herbs Vines Amelanchier canadensis Cyrilla racefiflora Gaylussacia frondosa Ilex glabra Lyonia lucida Myrica cerifera Vaccinium atrococcum V. tenellum Yucca aloifolia Andropogon virginicus Arundinaria gigantea Juncus roemerianus Mitchella repens Panicum spp. Pteridium aquilinum Samolus parviflorus Gelseraium sempervirens Parthenocissus quinquefolia Rhus radicans Smilax laurifolia Smilax walteri Longleaf Pine-Live Oak Woodland Trees : Shrubs Herbs Vines Diospyros virginiana Ilex opaca Magnolia virginiana Osmanthus americanus Pinus palustris P. taeda Persea borbonia Quercus laurifolia Q. virginiana Gaylussacia frondosa Ilex glabra I. vomitoria Vaccinium tenellum Andropogon scoparius Aristida stricta Cerastium glomeratum Elephantopus nudatus Heterotheca nervosa Poa annua Polypodium polypodioides Pteridium aquilinum Xyris caroliniana Vitis rotundifolia Epiphytes: Tillandsia usneoides juneberry, serviceberry titi huckleberry inkberry, bitter gallberry fetterbush wax myrtle black highbush blueberry lowbush blueberry Spanish bayonet broomsedge cane black needle rush partridge berry panic grass bracken fern water pimpernel yellow jessamine Virginia creeper poison ivy bamboo vine greenbriar, catbriar persimmon American holly sweet bay wild olive longleaf pine loblolly pine red bay laurel oak live oak huckleberry inkberry yaupon lowbush blueberry little bluestem wiregrass mouse-ear chickweed elephant's foot camphor weed blue grass ressurection fern bracken fern yellow-eyed grass muscadine grape vine Spanish moss - 142 - Swale Pond: Herbs Andropogon virginicus Distichlis spicata Galium obtusum Juncus roemerianus Ludwigia repens Ruppia maritima North Shore: swale pond and marsh Shrubs: Baccharis halimifolia Iva frutescens Herbs: Atriplex arenaria Cerastium glomeratum Hydrocotyle umbellata Juncus roemerianus Rumex hastatulus Ruppia maritima Typha domengensis ? Vines: Ipomoea purpurea Strophostyles helvola Old Homesite Area: Trees: Pinus taeda Quercus laurifolia Q. virginiana Shrubs: Asimina parviflora Hypericum hypericoides Herbs: Carduus horridulum Desmodium sp. Narcissus pseudo-narcissus Oxalis sp. Parietaria floridana Phytolacca americana Sanicula sp. Viola papilionacea Vines: Bignonia capreolata Parthenocissus qumquefolia Rhus radicans Smilax auriculata S . bona-nox Epiphytes: Tillandsia usneoides broomsedge saltgrass bedstraw black needle rush ludwigia widgeon grass grounds el- tree marsh elder seabeach orach mouse-ear chickweed marsh pennywort black needle rush sheep sorrel widgeon grass cat-tail common morning glory beach pea loblolly pine laurel oak live oak dwarf paw-paw St. John's sort Thistle beggar's lice daffodil sourgrass florida pellitory poke snakeroot purple violet trumpet vine Virginia creeper poison ivy greenbriar, catbriar greenbriar, catbriar Spanish moss - 143 - " probably breeds + possibly breeds FAUNA OBSERVED 14 APRIL, 1979 Amphibians : Southern leopard frog Birds: Double-crested cormorant Great egret Snowy egret Louisiana heron Glossy ibis Black duck Red-breasted merganser Osprey American oys tercatcher Black-bellied plover Whimbrel Willet Greater yellowlegs Lesser yellowlegs Pectoral sandpiper Least sandpiper Dunlin Short-billed dowitcher Laughing gull Great black-backed gull Herring gull Ring-billed gull Forster ' s tern Least tern Royal tern Black skimmer Mourning dove Yellow-bellied sapsucker Hairy woodpecker Eastern phoebe Common crow Fish crow Carolina chickadee Carolina wren Hermit thrush Blue-grey ^natcatcher Cedar waxwmg Prothonotary warbler Yellow-rumped warbler (myrtle) Black-throated green warbler Yellow-throated warbler Pine warbler Prairie warbler Common yellowthroat Rana sphenocephala permanent resident trans perm, perm, perm, summe +winte winte summe +perm. trans trans " summe trans trans trans trans winte trans perm. winte perm. winte +perm. s umme summe perm, "perm. winte +perm. visit trans +perm. +perm. "'perm. "perm. winte "' s umme winte " summe winte " s umme " s umme " s umme " s umme +perm. res . ient, winter resident resident resident resident r resident r resident (summer?) r resident r resident resident ient, winter resident ient r resident ient, winter resident ient ient ient r resident ienf. wipt'i^r T-pcj-jfJprit resident r resident resident r resident resident r resident r resident resident resident r resident resident ? or or from mainland ient res . res . res . res . r res . r res . r res . r res . r res. r res . r res . r res . r res . res only or winter ? - 144 - Eastern meadowlark Red-winged blackbird Boat-tailed grackle Cardinal Rufous-sided towhee Savannah sparrow White-throated sparrow "perm. resident "perm. res . "perm. res . "perm. res . "perm. res . winter res winter res Undoubtedly, several other species of waterbirds occur on the island during the course of the year. Clapper rails probably breed on the island. Also, several other landbird species occur during the migrations. The above list probably omits a few summer resident or permanent resident landbird species- Yellow-billed cuckoo, Chuck-wills-widow, Common flicker. Red-bellied woodpecker. Downy woodpecker. Crested flycatcher, Gray catbird. White-eyed virio, Common grackle (one may have been seen 14 April 1979), Seaside sparrow. Swamp sparrow, Song Sparrow, and probably other species occur on the island. In 1913, Francis Harper called Browns Island an important heronry in the area. He recorded the following birds: Red-breasted merganser American egret (Great) Louisiana heron Little blue heron Black-crowned night heron Whimbrel Flicker Fish crow Red-eyed vireo Prothonotary warbler Hooded warbler Roy Brown claimed nesting large heronry- Julian Brown said it was the first time they nested 150 at heronry 350 (nesting?) 8-10 immatures 7 birds seen noted as present 200 roosted near heronry noted as present noted as present noted as present In 1929, E.E. Brown recorded the following birds on Browns Island (also called Craney Island) : Snowy egret Louisiana heron Little blue heron Black-crowned night heron Hudsonian curlew Mourning dove Brown thrasher breeding abundant abundant immature birds 2 birds seen observed infrequent Other amphibians that may occur are Squirrel treefrog (Hyla uirella) and Eastern Narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis) and Fowlers toad (Bufo woodhousei fowleri) . sa o ^-1 - 145 - Reptiles : No reptiles were observed during the 14 April 1979 visit, perhaps because it was a relatively cold day. However, the Carolina diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin centrata j , Green anole iNorLnern DiacR racer <,v^uiuuer cuim ltj-c uur cuus uric tor; cercainiy occur on the island, as well as perhaps other species. Two rarer rorms that mignt occur on the island are the Carolina salt marsh snake (Natrix sipedon williamengelsi) which is endemic to coastal North Carolina, and the Outer Banks kingsnake (Lampropel tis getulus sticticeps) , endemic to the Outer Banks between Capes Hatteras and Lookout . Mamma Is: Tracks of raccoons (Frocyon locor) were seen on the island. Eastern Moles (Scalopus aquaticus) , River Otters (Lutra canadensis ) , Cottom Mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) , and Rice Rats (Oryzomys palustris) probably occur on the island. Opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) , Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) and probably one of the rabbits, Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) or Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus f loridanus) may occur on the island. Also, domestic cows, horses and pigs graze on the marsh grasses and in the woodlands of Browns Island, Evaluation of the site's ecological significance: The significant features of Browns Island can be summarized in the following: 1. The island is undeveloped and in a relatively natural state, which is surrounded by developed areas . 2. The dynamic process of natural ecological change is easily illustrated (a former barrier island with relict beach ridges). 3. The unusual plant communities of lon^leaf pine and live oak (I have personnally never seen the comoination before), and a maritime- pocosin-like forest. 4. The presence of the rare Florida pellitory endemic to maritime forests . 5. The presence of 15 bird species which are endangered, threatened or of special concern. 6. The possible presence of endemic reptiles, the Carolina salt marsh snake, and the Outer Banks Kingsnake. Management Recommendations: Browns Island does not appear to be very suitable for development because of limited "high" ground. It would seem more suitable as a recreation area or open space rather than residential or commercial sites . Straits is an important commercial fishing area for the people of Carteret County and is fairly free of pollutants. Heavy development on Browns Island would definitely have an impact. The grazing by domestic animals has probably had a great impact on the vegetation of the island. The southern Spartina marsh is heavily frrazed, but provides better shorebird habitat. The woodlands have been grazed decreasing the amount of undergrowth and diversity of species - 146 - Browns Island Management Recommendations: In regards to remnant, endangered or threatened species, Browns Island is not particularly notable. The only plant species of concern is the rare endemic, Parietaria f loridana, which occurs only in the man-made habitat ot old chimney bricks. Of the birds of special concern, only 4 do or may nest on the island: Black Duck, Osprey, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Prothonotary Warbler. Although the endemic reptiles, the Carolina Salt Marsh SnaRe and Outer Banks Kingsnake , could occur on the island, their presence has not been documented. Browns Island's strong points are as a complex natural area and as a unique coastal geologic formation. There are undoubtedly complex biological relationships in a variety of habitats from salt marshes, to forested sand ridges, iov/ woodlands and swale ponds. Although there are no unusual plant species for the area, the plant communities are unique. Elements of inland coastal plant communities appear to be combined with maritime communities. The south ridge is a combination of a longleaf pine-wiregrass community and a live oak maritime forest. The north ridge (or collection of ridges) also has a vegetation type that is neither typical of the mainland nor of maritime communities. Species such as loblolly bay, titi, fetterbush and gallberry are typical of pocosins whereas many of the species are more typical of maritime forests. Also the rarity of red cedar and wild olive, which are common in the Roosevelt Natural Area and Emerald Isle woods on Bogue Banks is notable, even though both areas are similar mesic sites. The unusual plant communities is a result of a unique coastal geologic formation. The relict beach ridges could be remnants of pleistocene barrier islands or scarps farther inland. Most pleistocene relict beach ridge areas have been altered considerably by man, especially the areas that now comprise islands, such as Roanoke Island and Markers Island. The dynamic nature of the island suggests a history of rapid geological change. The recent change is towards salt marshes encroaching the forested areas leaving live oak hammocks separated by marsh. Fresh water swale ponds are being encroached by salt water allowing the invasion of species such as Juncus roemerianus . The unusual plant communities and dynamic geological nature may provide clues to the geologic past of North Carolina. 147 - Professional comments: Dr. Albert E. Raaford: Botany Dept. UNC , Chapel Hill,N.C. 27514 The unique vegetation type at Browns Island (Longleaf Pine- wiregrass-Live oak) in a geologically dynamic area , possibly a relict pleistocene scarp, may have statewide significance. He has not seen a community such as this in good condition in North Carolina(although he has not yet visited this site). JoAnne Powell: Chairman of Environmental Resources Commission Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 On a local scale, rapid development in the county has been detrimental to the commercial fishing industry, since many of the marshlands have been distroyed. Leaving a few areas in a natural state is of prime importance to much of the livelihood of county residents. Most of the Brown family wants to sell the land, and would probably not agree to a conservation easement. It may be best to purchase the land by a conservati organization . on Dr. Gene Huntsman: Member of Coastal Resources Commission NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 Generically, part of Browns Island is already an "Area of Environmental Concern". The marshes are classified as an AEC, plus a zone of 75' landward from the mean high water level, which places stricter restrictions on development. Proposed land uses cannot significantly harm estuarine resources. Since a majority of Browns Island is already classified as an AEC, restrictions may be imposed on the rest of the island. The only way to include the rest of the island as an AEC is to nominate it based on its being a unique coastal natural area, including rare species or outstanding geological or archeological features . - 148 Recommendat ions : The island appears to be significant on the local level and possibly the state level. Since a large portion of Browns Island is already classified as an AEC , development should be controlled for the rest of the island. If development occurs, the only area of the island that would be suitable is the north ridge, which could accept low density development (few septic tanks). The south ridge (Longleaf pine-Live oak) is not really suitable for development because it is very narrow and surrounded by marsh. Of course, the marshes are not suitable for development, and under no circumstances should they be filled in. The marshes are vital to the commercial fishing industry. Development would also jeopardize many nesting bird species, including four of special concern. In addition to general dis- turbance, development could produce a change in habitat conditions, such as filling in of marshes, ponds and low forested areas. We recommend that all or most of the island be maintained as open space either by local government regulations or by acquisi- tion for a natural area. - 149 - Jeann ie W i 1 s on Sept. 19, 1979 Species additions to Browns Island, Carteret County, N.C. Marsh : Agalinis maritima Bacopa monnieri Pluchea purpurascens Live Oak Hammock : Shrub s : Ilexglabra Myrica cerifera Herbs: Aristida stricta Lechea leggettii Lobelia nuttallii Polygala lutea Mar i t ime Forest : Shrub thicket Trees : Pinus serotina (1 tree seen on the ecotone between the Longleaf Pine-Live Oak woodland and the shrub thicket) Vines : Smi lax glauca Herbs : Rhexia mariana Long leaf Pine -Live Oak Wood land : Shrub s : Myrica cerifera var . puraila Vacciniura staraineum Xanthoxylum c lava-her cu 1 is Vines : Vaccinium crassifolium Swale Pond (edge): Cyperus sp. (specimen immature to identify) Rhynchospora fascicularis Birds : White-eyed vireo Red start Emerald Isle Woods Name of Area: Emerald Isle, west end of Bogue Banks, N.C. Location Description: Approximately k mile west of the B. Cameron Langston Bridge on the north and south sides of "Coast Guard Road". The site is immediately west of the electrical sub- station. See Map 19 Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Swansboro Ownership Information: (See map 20) Richard M. White Emerald Isle Developer . Lewis R. Holding Emerald Isle Developer James A. Singleton Singleton Realty Emerald Isle Report Prepared by: Jeannie Wilson and John 0. Fussell, III Other Persons Knowledgeable about Site: Nora Murdock, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville, N.C. Dave Rackley, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Raleigh, N.C. Kathryn Henderson, The Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, NC Current Use and Protection Status: Currently, the forest is in an undisturbed and relatively pristine state on the north side of the road. The only signs of human activity here are foot paths that meander through it, some trash and signs of raccoon hunting. The major and most obvious threat to the area is plans for residential development. Land is now for sale near the electric substation and roadways have been cut through the forest to the ocean on the south side of the road- - 150 - nnett ' ' Pt _ .^l 311 SCALE 1:24000 - 152 If it becomes inevitable that development will proceed over the entire area, plans should be made to protect as much of the natural features as possible. These natural features include large 50' relict dunes, swale ponds, large trees, and large pri- mary and secondary dunes. Many of the swale ponds are already being filled in on the south side of the road. Developers are considering leaving some of the forest on the north side of the road as a greenway area. Vegetation and Plant Communities: This tract of land is essentially a transect of a barrier island. Large sand dunes (to 35' in ele- vation) including shifting dunes and stabilized dunes are present near the ocean. The stabilized primary dunes are dominated by Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) ♦ The shifting dunes do not have any vegetation cover. The swale between the primary and secondary dune contains a shrub thicket of predominantly wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) , cottonbush (Baccharis halimifolia) and yaupon (Ilex vomitoria ) . The vegetation cover of the secondary dune is a shrub thicket with dwarf live oak (Quercus virginiana) and many herbaceous species. The live oaks only reach 3' in height due to high winds and salt spray pruning. There is an abrupt transition into maritime forest behind these high dunes. This maritime forest is unique because of its undisturbed state, the unusually high dune ridges (to 50') and high species diversity relative to its proximity to the ocean. The dominant tree species are laurel oak, red maple, american holly, red cedar, loblolly pine, red bay and ironwood. Many species of shrubs, vines and herbs are also present. Species diversity of plants and animals is high at Emerald Isle because of the forest size and stability. Large swale ponds occur between the dune ridges. These are freshwater ponds containing many aquatic species such as duckweed (Spirodela and Wolf f iella) , frog's bit (Limnobium spongia) , hornwort rCeratophyllum demersura) , bur-reed (Sparganium americanum) and cat-tail (Typha latifolia) . The ponds serve as gathering areas for many animal species as well. On the north side of the island along Bogue Sound is a thin margin of salt marsh, dominated by Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus . An extensive patchy salt marsh is present throughout this portion of Bogue Sound. c o o • 1-4 •H 4-J U nj 4-1 iJ o 05 0) j:> r-l 3 W C/1 0) u M CO 00 CTn X o u tT3 c o CX-H ■r^ 4-J x: eg m u S o in tn o 0) -o o .— 1 M ^1 (U u to <}■ o CO s: r^ )-i u r- 1 ca r-. • 1-4 IX. C3N ei 0) CO to 0) V4 u CO CO CO c o to c •r-l en U3 CD E CO 0) CJ 1-1 CO p-( o o o < LU Of < -J < C£ Z3 1- < 7 c UJ CO CJ O u •r-l 4-1 < C CO LU I— 1 LU 4J U. ^ 0) o >< o CO (N 4-J 0. <" U S C ian tern Bla'.k tern Blat k skimmer Mourning dove Yellow-billed cuckoo Screech owl Chuck-will's widow Ivliip-poor-will Coimnou nighthawk Rub y- 1 h r o a t e d h u^iim i n gb Belted kingfisher Common flicker Redr-bellied woodpecker Yellow-bellied sapsuck Downy woodpecker Eastern kingbird Great crested flycatch Eastern phoebo Troe swallow Bank swallow Rough-winged swallow Barn swallow Purple martin Blue jay Gom.nion crow Fish crow Carolina chickadee Red-ijreas ted nutliatch House wren Winter wren Carolina wren Primary S t a t u s transient, wmt. res trans i en t trans . , wint . res . wint . res . 1 wint . res . wint. res. wint. res. trims., SLimmer res. wint. r 0 s . s umme r r e s . wint. res. summer res . summer resident perm, rL:S . trans i ent fall transient trans ient perm , res . p e rm . r e s . -n e s t s sum. res.-prob, Tiest perm . res . -nes ts prob . sum . res . -nes t fall transient summer resident ird sura, res.-prob. nes wint. res. fall trans, v/int. re perm, ros.? way rest perm. res. -n est s er wint. res. prob. perm. res. may nest Summer res. may nest or summer res. -nests fall trans, wine, re primarily fall, tran fa] I. transient summer res . .a^., 3 umme r res. suiimier res . pe ri.i . res. -ne s t s prob. perm. res. may pe rm . res. -may no s t perm. res. -nests prob. wint. visitant fall trans., wint. r prob. V'/int. res. perm . re s . -ne s t s Primary Habitat . marshes beach raa r s 1 1 e s , b <^ a c h beacii ocean ocean ocean ocean u c e a n beach , dune s ocean ocean sound ocean ocean marshes ocean sound ducics J shrub-Tores t e s iore:-;t forest s forest i o r e c t flys over ts forest sound s . forest edge forest forest forest . . forest forest s . ? forest edge s . — ( fores t nest beach, dunes, fores beach, dunes, forest forest forest es . sarub thicket, forest edge forvist forest - 169 - Species Long-billed marsh wren Nockingb ird Gray catbird Brown thrasher American robin Hermit thrush Blue-gray gnatcatcher Golden-crowned k i ngiet Kuby-crowned kinglet Water pipet Cedar waxwing White-eyed vireo Solitary viieo Red-eyed vireo Black and wliite warbler Prothonotary warbler Orange-crowned warbler Northern parul;i warbler Yc;i low-rumped warbler Black-throated green wa Yellow-throated warbler Blackpoll warbler Pine v;arbler Prairie warbler Palm warbl er Common yollowthroat Anu.'rican redstart Red-winged blackbird Orchard Oriole BoaL-tailed grackle Goiai.ion grackle Brown-headed cowbird Suni'.uer Cardin Indigo Paiiite Air 'ric Rufous Savanii bharp- Seasid Dark-e Whi te- Fox sp Swamp Song s tanager al bunt ing d bunting an goldfinch -sided tov>/heo ah sparrow tailed sparrow e sparrow yed junco throated sparrow arrow sparrow parrow Primary Status Prim.-.ry Habitat fall trans. marshes perm. res.-n<'3ts shn^b thicket primarily wint. res. forest edge primarily wint. res. forest edge wint. visitant lores t wint. res. forest summer res.-prob. nes t forest wint , visi taut fores t wint. res. fores t winter visitant sO'ind bi'ach \^7inter res. forest s umriK ! r res. -ne s t s forest wint . res . forest summer res. -nests fores t. transient [ore's t s umme r r e s . -ne s t s forest winter res. fores t summer res . -nes ts fores L winter res. fores t bier poss. sum. re ^ . fores t may nest summer res-nests forest transient forest s umme r res. or p e r m . forest res.- may nest summer res, -nests shruh thicket trans . , wint . res . shrub thicket trans . , wint . res . shrub thickeL fall transient forest perm. res. -nests shrub-thicket summer res. -nests forest edge pena. res . inarshL's s umme r res.-; u • s L s fores L early sum. res . roadsides breeds, doesn't nest :uiuimer res. -nests forest perm. res. -nests forest summer res.-ntsts forest edge ;; uiiime r re s . -ue s t s forest edge v/int. res. duiics , forest perm . r e^ s .-nests shrub thicket wint. res. duni-s wint . res . marshes perm . res . marshes winter visitant forest edge-- \>/i nt . rts. forest edge wint. visit :i n t forest edge v/int. res. forest edge wint. res. Lores t cd'^e Hadnot Creek on White Oak River Name of Area: Hadnot Creek on the White Oak River Location Description: Hadnot Creek is a tributary of the White Oak River. The creek crosses N. C. 58 about 3 miles south of Kuhns , near Hadnot Road. See Map 21. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Ownership: Croatan National Forest c/o District Ranger 435 Thurman Road New Bern, NC 28560 Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Warner Hadnot Creek Farm, N. C. 5i Swansboro, NC 2 8 584 Maysville 1:62500 (northeast section) (southwest section and mouth of creek) The Mower Lumber Company not a local company owns 359 acres of forest, and 41 acres of cleared land. The creek east of the N. C. 58 bridge is administered by Inland Fisheries (freshwater) and west of the bridge is administered by Marine Fisheries. Report prepared by: Jeannie Wilson and Manley Fuller Date: July, 1978 Current Use and Protection Status: Currently, the creek is in a natural state and relatively undisturbed state, as is the entire White Oak River. Hunting and fishing are the primary activities along this tributary. Evidence of disturbance includes a hardwood timber cut on a section of bluff, as well as secondary forest growth along most of the bank and bluff. Since most of the land is owned by a lumber company, there is the potential for extensive logging in the future. Luckily, the Warners, who own the land at the creek's mouth, are interested in land con- servation. Because the entire White Oak system of creeks and the river is relatively undisturbed, it should be preserved as a whole unit. The gradation from brackish to fresh water is quite striking in terms of vegetation changes (see Holston Creek report) . The area has proved to be an excellent area for scientific and educational endeavors. The presence of the endangered American Alligator also warrants its protection. The Warners have registered their portion of Hadnot Creek as a protected North Carolina Natural Heritage Area. i 170 - MAP 21: HADNOT CREEK -172 _ Vegetation and Plant Communities: Hadnot Creek is a brackish water creek which encompasses several distinct plant communities. The primary communities include brackish marshes, a brackish island, cedar hummocks, and a combination of hardwood-pine stands. Brackish Marshes: The marshes and the creek exhibit varying degrees of salinity from the mouth to the head of the creek, as shown by several species. Spartina alternif lora is common near the mouth of the creek where the salinity is higher, and Scirpus americanus , Cladium jamaicense , and Spartina cynosu- roides become abundant toward the head of the creek, where the salinity is lower. Common species along the marshes include the following: Spartina alterniflora S. patens S. cynosuroides Scirpus americanus Cladium jamaicense Juncus roemerianus Hibiscus moscheutos Disticlis spicata Typha latifolia Typha angustifolia Oenothera fruticosa Rumex verticil latus Pontederia cordata Myosotis laxa Solidago sempervirens Senecio glabellus Ipomoea pandurata Small brackish island (Pork Chop Island) along the north shore of the creek: This island is relatively unique, because of the presence of an extensive matformer, Lilaeopsis chinensis . Common species are: Lilaeopsis chinensis Ptilimnium capihlaceum Eleocharis albida Eleocharis sp. Baccharis halimifolia Cedar Hummocks: These are possibly the result by some dredging that may have occurred to keep the creek open to small boat traffic. Common species are: Juniperus virginiana Sabal minor Ilex vomitoria Rhus radicans Myrica cerifera Baccharis halimifolia Rosa palustris Osmunda regalis var . spectabilis _ 173 - Pteridium aquilinum Polypodium polypodioides Vitis aestivalis Usnea sp. Forest Types: The mixed-hardwood and pine forest is the dominant type along the creek bank and bluff, although Beech and Bald Cypress appear infrequently. Beech occurs infrequently on protected bluffs, and Cypress appears occasionally along the creek margin, where the salinity has dropped to a low level. Common forest trees are: Acer rubrum Carya pallida Fagus grandifolia Juniperus virginiana Liquidambar styraciflua Liriodendron tulipifera Fraxinus caroliniana Magnolia virginiana Persea borbonia Pinus taeda Stewartia malacodendron Taxodium distichum Ilex opaca Ostrya virginiana Pinus taeda Unlike most brackish creeks in the area, Hadnot Creek is relatively undisturbed, and very few dwellings or buildings are found along it. In this regard, this creek is unique for Carteret County. Physical Features: The creek meanders southwest and empties into the south-flowing White Oak River. Along the margins of the creek is a 20' bluff over marl (limestone), supporting a mixed hardwood forest. Rare Plants and Animals: Chinese Lilaeopsis American Alligator Lilaeopsis chinensis locally abundant; rare. Alligator mississippiensis probably breeds in area; endangered References; Kuenzler, E. J. 1976. unpublished class notes from Wetlands Ecology Class, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences. Radford, A. E. et al, 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. UNC Press, Chapel Hill. - 174 - Anacarl laceae n r.nonarieae A p laceae hy,i i '"Oi laceae Ara] \aceae Arecac^a -» r I stoloch. laceae A jc leol-iaceae As pi en lacf?ae A K p 1 d 1 a c ea e A s t e r.i c ea e r'eLu laceae Blechnaceae Blsnonlaceae Bora^lnaceae iTi - marsh h - h'rnT.ock f - forest a - aquatic Recorind Flora amaranth'!^ cainabinas Rhus copal llna R, radios MS R. toxloolen 1 ron H. vernlx Aslralna narvlflora Gent.t?lla a viatica LllaeODSii? '^hlnensis Pt 11 V™n lura ca nil i acpum Ilex J la bra I. onaca I. vomit or la Aral la splnosa Sabal 11 In or Hexastyll3 arlfolla Asclepia'5 lanr, eolata /i . tu nero?5a Asplenium platynf>i"^-rir A thyr I'lm ;i3r lenloides Ba 'Char is hal 1ml folia Borrlchla frutescens Elephantopur: toraent o-ms Eu pa tor I UK np, Seneclo j-la'^ellus Solldaoro sempervl r^ns Ostrya vl'-^^inlana Woodward la ar-'olata AriLoOStlGhus carreolita Kyosotls laxa m m h.f r m m h,f f f n f f h ra.h f ra m f r ■■'• n 175 flromel laceae Convolvulaceae Cornaceae Cucurbltaceae Cuprpssaceae Cyperaceae Ebenaceae tiricaceae Fabaceae Fatraceae Kaxap'- 1 Idaceae H 1 p 0 oc -1 s t a ria o --^ a f'^ .. vperlcaceae J uncaceae JufrlaniaceJ^e Tlllan.1r> la us'^i*?oJie3 Ipomoea paniurata Conu.s florlia Meloth-rla nr-niula Junlperus virgin 1 ana Cladiam .^aia I'-'-ense Eleocharls al^lda Eleocharls' sn. Sclrpus amerlcanus 3. ro'^ustu'i Dlospyror5 vl rylniana Epigaea ripens Ga,ylus.~ac la fronlosa Leucothof' ract^raosa OxyieniruE arboreum Rhodolpnlron nud If 1 orum Vacclnlun arboreurn V. starrilneura \/a vac i Hans CI It or la narlana Lespedeza spo. Fagus flrrandlf ol la ^uercu^' al-«i «., nlirra ■i. stellata Q, vel'Jtlna Q. vlrslnlana Hamaaiell'5 v Ir.a-lnl'-^na Llquliara^ar st vrac 1 '"lua fiesculus navla Ca-^tanea puralla Hypericum hyperlcoldes Juncus effusus J. roemerlanus Carya pallida C. tomentDsa Juglans nlsrra f m f f f m ra m m n f f f r f f f r i f f r f f f f r m m r f - 176 _ Lauraceae Llllaceae Loganlaceae Magnollaceae rtalvaceaf» Moraceae Kyricace'dp? Na Jadaceae Nyss:icpae Olea", eae C'^ao;rac«'ae O.srru'Tlaceaf* P 1 naceae Poaceae Polyeonaceae Polypoi laceae Port ^ler lac eae Ptorliaceae Ho^acpae Rupplaceae Fersea borbonla Sassafras ^ilblium Smllax bona-nox S. laurlfolia 3. rotunllfolla o . wa 1 1 e r 1 Yucca ''1 lament osa Gelsemlum se^mperv I rens Lirloieniron tul 1 :;i '^era Magnol La vlrglnlana Hibiscus "noscheutos Brou.isonetla papyrif»r-i '■^orus rubra Myrlca C'-;rirer'i N'ajas iruKi'lalupens Is rraxlnus canllnlana Osmanthus qmpr'cana Oenothera frutlco-^a Osmunia clnnarnon-^a 0. ■^eccaM;^ var. .sp'"»c tabl ! 1 9 f f f m h.f m f f f rn.h ■f f h.f a Nyssa sylvatlca vir. blflor-i f r m r Pl'ius ta^-ja f Tsuga canaiens Is-rlant" 1 on l^/a^nl■'r P r G p ?; r t y ii ru n j. I na r 1 '-x ^iJ■,l■t.>^ t. ::■ h f D I s K Ic h ] i 3 s p 1 ca ta m Panic urn ?;pp. h,f Phragralt^s communis m Spartlna alt'->rnlf 1 ora m dpartlna cynosurolcies ra S , pa t e n s id Folvgonum ^p, Rum°x vert ic Hiatus Polyoodlum polypollolle'^ rcnteierla cordata Pterldiuci aqull Inun Prunus carol Inlana Rosa paiustrls Runpla marltlT.a h m ">" f h.f m i - 177 - Sallcaceas ScroDhularlaceae Styracaceae Symplocaceae Taxorllaceao rheaceae Tychaceae Verbenac»=ae Vltacfiae Usneaceae Sallx oarollnlana m Aureolaria vir^lnlca f Styrax ;?randlfolla f 3ymplo:"o?? tlnctorla f Taxoilum ilstirhum f Stewart ia malaco t'='ndron f Tyoha an^^ust l'"o1 Va m T. latlfolia m CalTlcarpa amerlcnria f Ampelopsls ar'"or»?-i h,^ Parthenofi Iss'is )uinq\;ef ol ia h,f V 1 1 i s a e .s t \ va 1 1 s h V. rotunllfolla f Usnea sp. (lichen) h :eoor'iei Fauna Mamraals Reon 1 ies Race oon Bob Cat !»-!«a-rd >^ .- Manl-.v Fuller S'lmier l-J'"?) American Allla^tor Cardinal Carolina Chickadee Yellow-billed c;)c'':oo Cnrc'non ^■'t'r=^t Black Towned nl.3;ht h^ron Bob white --ju^^l Housh wlntT'^d swallow /^hlte eypd vlrlo farula w^irbler Pine warbl=>r Prairie warbler Prothonotary warbler Yellow bellied .iriosucker Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Pine Woodlands Name of Area: Hadnot Creek Ponds and Longleaf Pine Woodland (Upstream) Location: In vicinity of intersection of U.S. Forest Service Roads 182 and 200. (See Map 22.) Quadrangle: Maysville Date: November 20, 1980 Investigator: John Fussell Physical/Habitat Feature: Freshwater ponds and longleaf pine woodland. Survey Priority: Medium (see comments) Site Quality: Some longleaf pine trees are mature; Red-cockadsd wood- pecker cavity trees are present. Elevation: Ca. 25-40' Topography: Nearly level Soil Series: Area not yet mapped by Soil and Conservation Service. Size: Ca. 210 acres C.eolor'ical Formation: May be within or on periphery of Flanner Beach Formation. (See Mixon, R. and 0. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, North Carolina. U.^. G20I. Survey Prof. Paper 859.) Drainage: Hadnot Cres^k to I-Jhite Oak River E & T Species Present: 5+ Red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees seen. At least 2 of these were currently active. Potential for E & T Species: See comments. Site Integrity: Some of the longleaf pine woodland has been clearcut within last 10 years. Owners: USDA, Forest Service Other Knowledgeable Persons: U.S. Forest Service _ 178 _ SCALE 1 62 500 r«M| U S »'m. WI»th.nf(on. SOQ 0 iOOO 50C C JOOO lOC-0 iOOOM CONTOUR INTERVAL ZP FEET TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION INDEX TO BOUNDMlES INDEi K . p MAP 22: HADNOT CREEK PONDS AND LONGLEAF PINE WOODLAND - 180 - Comment s The primary purpose of this visit was to see the ponds that arc evident on aerial photographs. Within the tract that includes the ponds (ca. 210 acres), there is open longleaf pine woodland, a small area of pocoain, a small area of loblolly pine forest, and some clearcut areas. Of these, the ponds and the longleaf pine woodland are of primary interest. . Some of the ponds appear to be naturally impounded remnants of former drainage systems. Ot tiers, though, appear to be "sink- holes". In any event, they represent an unusual concentration of freshwater ponds in this county. The ponds are generally small (largest seen ca. 200' across) and shallow (less than 2 ' deep). They appear to have bet^n dry during the summer and fall and had little vegetation in them. However, it soems likely that some rare plant species might occur here. These ponds are in the corner of the county clos'-st to the known range of the pine barrens treefrog and it is possible that that species occurshere. Most of the longleaf pine woodland has a fairly pure growth _ of longleaf pine. It grows up to 70' tall with a DBH of 12"+. There is little understoiy. Ilex glabra often dominates thu' ground cover. Aristida stricta is generally sparse; the are»would bene- fit from more frequent fire management. Two active red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees were seen; the area is marginal habitat lor lia^hman's sparrows, but none were seen. This area should be considered at least of medium priority. The concentration of freshwater ponds (especially when surrounded by longleaf pine woodland) is unusual. The "sinkhole" appearance of some adds to their geological significance. The longleaf pine woodland is one of the better examples of this community in the county and it harbors at least one endangered species. Additional geological and botanical work on the ponds might reveal that the area is of high priority. _ 181 _ Species lists PLANTS Trees Acer rubrum Liquidambar styraciflua Magnolia virginiana Nyssa sylvatica var . biflora Persea borbonia Pinus palustris Pinus serotina Pinus taeda Quercus laevis Quercus laurifolia Sassafras albidum Shrub s C^rilla racemiflora Gaylussacia dumosa Ilex coriacea Ilexglabra Lyonia lucida Lyon i a mar iana Myrica cerifera var. pumila Vaccinium atrococcum Vaccinium crassifolium Herbs Carphephorus sp. Ccntella asiatica Drosera sp. Liatris sp. Polygala cymes a Proserpinaca pectinata Solidago sp. Gr amino ids Andropogon virginicus Aristida stricta Arundinaria gigantea Juncu s s p . Panicum hemitomon Scirpus cyperinus Vines Smilax laurifolia Ferns and allies Lye opod ium sp . Pteridium aquilinum Sphagnum sp . Woodwardia virginica jL82 _ ANIMALS Birds Wood duck Sharp-shinned hawk Mourn ing dove Common flicker Pileated woodpecker Downy woodpecker Red-cockaded woodpecker Eastern phoebe Brown-headed nuthatch House wren Eastern bluebird Go Id en -c r owned kinglet Ruby-crowned kinglet Ye 1 low-r umped warbler Pine warbler Palm warbler Song sparrow Masontown Pocosin Name of Area: Masontown Pocosin Location: Tract of pocosin lying NW of conmunity of Masontown which is about two miles NW of Town of Newport. Pocosin is bounded on the east by the Atlantic and East Carolina Railroad, and the west by the Lake Road (SR 1125). See Map 23. Quadrangle: Masontown Date: October 28, 1980 Investigator: John Fussell (Report by Fussell and Jeannie Wilson) Physical/Habitat Feature: Pocosin Survey Priority: Medium - tract includes a large area of pocosin and a significantly large area of low pocosin. Site Quality: Pinus serotina are very small; age is unknown. This is a relatively large tract of low pocosin (ca. 1200+ acres) and rela- tively large tract of high and low pocosin combined (ca. 4800 acres) Elevation: ca. 25-28' Topography: flat, featureless Soil Series: Only the southern border of the large pocosin area has been mapped. Consists of a combination of Croatan Muck, Pantego fine sandy loam, and Torhunta fine sandy loam. SCS, USDA, 1979. Carteret County, Soil Survey, Interim Report. (Jeannie Wilson) Size: total pocosin 4800 acres low pocosin 1200 acres All low pocosin is in Carteret County; approximately one third of total pocosin in Craven. Geological Formation: Planner Beach Formation, Pleistocene Mixon, R.B. & O.H. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 859. US Govt. Print. Off. Drainage: North section of pocosin drains northward into tributaries of Slocum Creek. South section drains southward into tributaries of Newport River. E & T Species Present: none observed Potential for E & T Species: See additional page. - 183 - MAP 23: MASONTOWN POCOSIN -185 - Site Integrity: There are no drainage ditches or other human encroachments within the tract. Tracks from a large ORV (probably Forest Service) transect the tract. Owners: USDA, Forest Service, Croatan National Forest Other Knowledgeable Persons: none known Other Comments: This tract is notable for having a rather large area of low pocosin. DOMINANT VECliTATION: Only the central low pocosin area of the tract was analyzed. This area is roughly rectangular, ca. 1.75 :<. 1.10 miles, the long axis NW-Si:i . The mass of shrub vegetation is less than two feet high and ia dominated by Lyon La 1 uc i da and 7. (■ nob i a pulverulonta . P inu s serot ina (ca. 15' tall) arc scattered very sparsely throughout. Small "clumps" (ca. 20' X 20') of larger broadleaf ev(?rgreens (to 6-8' high) are scattt;red at 100'-200' intervals. These are dominated by Gt)rdonia las i a n C h ii s^ , (" y r i 1 1 a racemif lora , Lyon i a luc i da , M y r i c a heterophyl La , and Sm i Lax laurifolia . Carex wa Iteriana and Sphagnum sp. are abundant throughout the area. Cassandri c a 1 y c u 1 a t a is aLso frequent through- out, and E r i_o j)hor um virginicum is fairLy common whore the mass of vegetation is less tlian a foot or so. .oli'NTlAL FOR ENUAN(;i:.RED AND THREATENED SPECIES: Although ; he p>iiid pines are very small, much of this area appears to be & i rue t ur a L 1 y suitable for red-cockaded woodpeckers. American alligarors i:criir in I he pocosin west of tl\e Lake Road, and may occur in this pocosin occasionally. Black bears, now considered to be of speci.L concern status, may be considered threatened in the future. They undoubtedly occur in this pocosin. (They are rather common in tht' pocosin west of the Lake Road.) _ 186 _ PLANTS OBSERVED (Species list is for low pocosin species only.) Trees : Shrubs Vines Herbs Gordonia lasianthus (primarily in "clumps"), Magnolia virginiana (few), Persea borbonia (mostly "clumps"), Pinus serotina (small, very sparse). Cassandra calyculata (common), Cyrilla racemiflora (common), Ilex glabra (common), Lyonia lucida (abundant; with Zenobia, forms bulk of low growth), Myrica heterophylla (mostly restricted to "clumps"), Sorbus arbutifolia (few), Zenobia pulverulenta (common). Smilax laurifolia (common) Sarracenia flava (few) Graminoids: Andropogon virginicus (scattered in low growth areas), Arundinaria gigantea (few; more common toward high pocosin), Carex waiter iana (abundant), Eriophorum virginicum (fairly c omraon ) i F u r n s Moss : Woodwardia virginica (fairly common) Sphagnum sp. (abundant) ANIMALS OBSERVED Reptiles: Rough green snake Birds: Mammals : Short-billed marsh wren (one), House wren, Gray catbird. Yellow-rum ped warbler. W h i t e t a i 1 d e f ' r North River Marshes Name of Area: North River Marshes County : Carteret Location Description: In this report, the North River marshes are considered to be all the marshes on the west side of North River that lie between the U. S. 70 bridge en the north and Fulcher Creek on the south. Their extent is approximately 1^ miles by 1/3 mile. See Map 24 . Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Williston, N. C. CWnership: Seven private owners. Report Prepared By: Jeannie Wilson and John Fussell, III Date: July, 1979 Other Knowledgeable Persons: JoAnne Powell Hampton Mariners Museum Beaufort, NC 28516 T. L. Quay Dept. of Zoology NCSU Raleigh, NC 27607 Current Use and Protection Status: North River marshes are important nursery areas for many of North Carolina's fish and shellfish as well as an important nesting and feeding ground for many shorebirds. This portion of the marsh is transected by three drainage ditches used in mosquito control. One roadway in the marsh leads to the house cwned by Mr. Van Dooren. The north half of the area is currently used as a grazing pasture for cattle which primarily feed on Salt Marsh Cordgrass (Spartina altemiflora) . - 187 - Mapped by U S Coast & Geodetic Survey Edited and published by the Geological Survey Conlfol by USC&GS (C) and USED (E) Culture and drainage in part compiled from aefial photographs taken 1946 Topograptiy bv plane-table rnethods 1947 Field check 1949 Polyconic proieclion 1927 Norlh American datum 10.000 foot grid based on Norlh Carolina coordinate system Unchecked elevations are shown in brown AffHEffS ISLANO)^ SCALE 1 24000 1 ^ 0 1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 __5000__ CONTOUR INTERVAL 5 FEET DATUM IS I^EAN SEA LEVEL This map COMPurs WITH NiTrONAL MAP ACCURATY <;!Ar; MAP 24: NORTH RIVER MARSHES for sale by U. S geological survey, WASHINCTOr A FOLDER DESCRreiNG TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS AND SYMBOLS IS AVAILA' _ 189 _ The grazing has created a better habitat for shorebirds. North River has been used for many years for scientific research projects on fish and shellfish, particularly by National Marine Fisheries in Beaufort. The marshes are also used for educational purposes. Biology classes from East Carteret High School conduct field trips and the Hampton Mariners Miseum conducts bird-watching trips in this area. Major direct threats to the area include filling -in, ditching, and pollution. Pollution from the North River community has probably been the cause for the adjacent estuary being closed to shellfishing. Vegetation and plant communities: North River marshes consist of a variety of microhabitats caused by small topographic changes. This "high" marsh is infrequently inundated by tidal water. Because of this, the short form of Spartina is present. Much of the Spartina has been grazed by cattle, but the Spartina is still short in ungrazed areas. Black needleinish (Juncus roemerianus) occurs along the landward side. Shallow pools are scattered throughout the marsh. Toward the north is a chain of pools (to approximately 6") that are surrounded by black needlerush. Salt pans, ur slightly elevated areas in the marsh, contain glasswort (Salicorria virginica) an d other herbs. On the margins of the drainage ditches, where spoil has been placed, are shrubs such as sea ox-eye (Borrichia fiutescens) , wax myrtle (M;vTica cerifera) , cottonbush (Baccharis halimifolj-a) as well as several small loblolly pines (Pinus taedajl Physical features: North River marsh occurs along the west side of Worth River. The marsh is irregularly inundated by tidal water, pr.'iducing a snort arid sparse population of cordgrass (Spartina altertii flora) . Small topograpliic differences, such as small pools and salt pans affect the zonation of vegetation. Rare Plarits and Animals: C0I4M0N NAME Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Louisiana Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crovmed Night Heron Least Bittern American Bittern SCIENTIFIC NAME Ardea herodias (-asmsrodius albus Egretta (Leucophoyx) thula Hydranassa tricolor Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli Nyctanassa violacea Ixobrychus exilis exilis Botourus lentiginosus STATUS Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Threatened Undetermined (as a breeding species) Rare Plants and Animals: GOMIVDN NAME Glossy Ibis VJhite Ibis Black Duck Gsprey Marsh Hawk Black Rail Laughing Gull Gull-billed Tern Common Tern Least Tern Black Skimmer Barn Owl Purple Martin American Alligator * Black-necked Stilt _ 190 _ . SGIENTIFIG NAME Plegadis falcinellus Guara alba Anas rubripes Pandion haliaetus Circus cyanus hudsonius STATUS Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Undetermined (as a breeding species) Laterallus jamaicerisis pygmaeus Undetermined Larus atricilla Gelochelidon nilotica aranea Sterna hirundo hirundo Sterna albifrons Rhynchops niger Tyto alba pratincola Progne subis subis Alligator inississippiensis Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern Special concern _ Special concern Special concern Endangered ' ■ Nob listed as rare Himantopus mexicanus or endangered but is generally uncommon in North Carolina, very local. Rarely nests out of the Etodie Island - Pea Island area. Historical Significance: The North River marshes have been imown to ornithologists since the turn of the century. It was apparently here, in 1898 » that the eminent ornithologist T. Gilbert Pearson collected the first North Carolina specimen of VJhite Ibis. White Ibises were rare in the state at that time. The Van Dooren house was a state oyster experiment station from 1940 to 19A-2, closed because of World War II. Experimental oyster beds were in the marshes. Since then, oyster research has been taken over by the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, National Marine Fisheries, and N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (Dr. Al Chestnut, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, Personal Communication). pi-iblications and Scientific References: Cooper, John E. (et. al.) (Eds.) 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N.C. Miseum of Natural History, Raleigh. Richer t, Jon E. Sr. 1978. A Guide to North American Bird Clubs. Avian riiblications. Inc. Elizabethtown , Kentucky (Hampton Mariners fliseum bird trips list North River marsh as a popular bird watching spot). in - Passell, John 0. III. I969 -1971* Systematic bird censuses of North River marsh (plus additional censuses to 1979) unpublished. FAUNA SPECIES LIST Birds that occur regularly in the North River marshes: 1. This list includes birds that occur (feed in or over the marsh) regularly in the marsh proper. Birds of the adjacent open estuary, adjacent wooded areas, and rarities not sighted every year are excluded from the list. 2, For bre vity, status listed is a short approximation. Water birds often do not fit well into a transient-summer resident; winter resident-permatent resident grouping . 3' List is based primarily on over two years (1969-1971) of systematic censuses of the marsh conducted at approximately three week intervals at all s.jasons, plus numerous additional censuses to 1979* SPECIES-C0^M3N NAME PRIMARY STATUS BREEDS Pied-billed Grebe Great Blue Heron Green Heron Little Blue Heron Great Egret Snovijy Egret Louisiana Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Least Bittern American Bittern Glossy Ibis Shite Ibis ffellard Black Duck Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Osprey Marsh Hawk Clapper Rail Vir\3inia Rail Sora Black Rail American Oystercatcher Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Black-bellied Plover Ruddy Turnstone Common Snipe ijriimbrel winter resident permanent resident summer resident permanent resident permar^ent resident permanent resident permanent resident perriiarient resident summer resident summer resident winter resident summer resident summer resident permanent resident permanent resident winter resident transient winter resident winter resident summer resident winter resident permanent resident winter resident winter resident permanent resident permanent resident transient winter resident transient transient transient-winter resident transient yes, apparently yes yes yes _ 192 SPECIES-CO^M)N NAME PRIMARY STATUS mEEDS Spotted Sandpiper Willet Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Pectoral Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Least Saridpiper Dunlin Short-billed dowitcher Long-billed dowitcher Stilt Sajidpiper Western Sandpiper Black-necked Stilt Herring Gull Ring-billed Gull Laughing Gull Gull-billed Tern Forster's Tern Common Tern Lcajt Tern Caspian Tern black Skimmer B;ar'n Owl Common Nighthawk Relted Kingfisher Tree Sv;allow Rough- singed Swallow Barn Sv;allow Purple Martin Fisn Grow Long-billed Marsh Wren Short-billed Marsh Wren YelJ.ow-n.imped Warbler (Myrtle) Palm Wai'bler Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Boat-tailed Grackle Savannah Sparrow Sharp-tailed Sparrow Seaside Sparrow transient summer resident yes transient-winter resident transient transient transient transient transient-vjinter resident transient-winter resident transient transient transient-winter resident summer resident yes winter resident winter resident transient-summer resident summer resident summer resident summer resident summerresident transient summer resident winter resident suiiimer resident winter resident transient summer resident surumer resident summer res lent permanent resident permanent resident winter resident winter resident transient transient permanent resident yes permanent resident permanent resident winter resident winter resident summer resident apparently, some years yes yes yes Birds that occur occasionally in the North River mai'shes: The ducks listed above cire the only species that occur regularly. Gadwall, Pintail, American Wigeon and Northern Shoveler are occasional. The adjacent North River sometimes has large numbers of other ducks, such as Kedliead, Scaup, Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads. Sharp-siiinnea Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, and Great Horned Owls probably feed in the marsh on occasion. Some notable rarities at North River marshes in the last ten years are Roseate Spoonbill, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Golden Plover, and Wilson's Phalarope. - 1'93 - COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Amphibians; Reptiles: Mammals: **Southern Leopard Frog Rana utricularia (May occur along the landward side of the marsh) **American Alligator ■"Snapping Turtle Carolina Diamondback Terrapin Alligator mississippienr.is Chelydra serpentina serpentina Melaclemys terrapin centrata Opossum Diadelphis marsupialis Raccoon Procyon lotor *River Otter Lutra canadensis (John Fussell says that he has seen at least one) Gray Fox Urocyon cineroagenteus' *Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris Marsh Rabbit Sylvilagus palustris ** pKJSsibly occurs * probably occurs FLORA SPECIES LIST Trees: Shrub'j; Herbs: Loblolly Pine Gobtonbush, Groundsel tree Sea Ox-eye Wax I>fyrtle Salt Grass Black Needlerush Glasswort Salt Marsh Cord Grass Salt Meadow Hay Arrow Grass Pinus taeda Fiaccharis halimifolia Dorrichia fjrutescens N^ica cerifera Distichlis spicata Juncus roemeri.anus Salicornia vlrginica Spartina alterniflora Spartina patens Triglochin striata Ecological Significfuice: In regards to remiiant, endangered or tl-ireatened species } the North River marshes are notable as a marsh area regularly attracting shorebirdE that are generally uncommon or rare in intertidal areas (i.e. Wliite-rujnped sandpipers, llack-necked stilts, Stilt sandpiper-, Long-billed dowitchers, Pectoral sandpipers, Common snipes and Lesser yelio./legs). Elsewhere in the county, the first five species are primarily restricted to manmade sites such as shallow pools on spoiling sites. From mid-April to mid-May, sliorebirds are most common and there are often hundreds of birds. The marshes also harbor many herons, egrets and ibises. In the late summer numbers of these v.'aders are impressive. Glossy :bises, which are common, are a species that is generally rare in intertidal areas in this county, f-laay of the Glossy Ibises that nest at Phillips Island near Morehead city probably feed at these marshes. In fall, winter, and spring, there are u sually a few ducks in the marsh. Mallards and Black ducks nest here. Black rail s, occur in the marsh and may nest here. The marshes also occasionally attract some notable rarities (i.e. Roseate spoonbill. Peregrine falcon, Merlin, American Golden Plover, and Wilson' s Phal arope). _ 194, _ Management Reconmendations: I would rate the North River marshes at least of state\d.de significance because of its size, relatively undisturbed state, the variety of microhabitats within the marsh, and its economic significance. Salt marshes .are classified as areas of envi.ronmental concern, so the North River marshes are included in this classification. Threats to the area do not really include immediate development, so it probably is not necessary to purchase the area. However, a conservation easem.ent would be justified. Filling and ditching represent more immediate threats to the area. If ditching is needed for the adjacent land areas and for mosqaito control, the existing ditches should be used. Grazing is probably not particularly harmful, although it may have some negative effect on some of the ground-nesting birds. It appears to be beneficial to shorebirds in that feeding habitat is improved. The best management scheme for the North River marshes is to leave them essentiolly the way they are now. - 195 _ Addenda to the North River report: Soil Information: All of the soil in the North River marshes is an Axis muck. This soil I'j, regularly flooded vd-th a high salt content. It is not suitable to develop or for agriculture. Species typical of this soil type are Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterni flora, S. patens, S. cynosuroides, and Salicornia virginica . Reference: Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1979. Soil Survey Interim Report. Carteret County, North Carolina, (advance copy, subject to change.) Pringle Road Carolina Bays Name of Area: Pringle Road Carolina Bays Location: In southern Croatan National Forest. Carolina Bay A: "The NW tip of the praninent rim of this bay is ca. 400 yards SE of Millis Road. Its SW rim is ca. 150 yards NE of Pringle Road. Carolina Bay B: Lies immediately NE of and is parallel to Bay A. See Map 25 . Quad: Intersection of Salter Path, Swansboro and Maysville Date: 10 October 1980 Investigator: John Fussell Physical/Habitat Feature: Carolina Bays Survey Priority: Medium: These two Carolina Bays have the following positive attributes: 1) they are prcminent, well-defined, and large (for the county) , 2) they are within the National Forest so some degree of protection is feasible, 3) they have a rather wide range of habitats (for Carolina Bays in Carteret County) , 4) they are located within a ccnplex of "natural areas", the pocosin to the north being designated as wilderness, the Patsy Pond natural area to the SE, and the Millis Road savannah to the NE. Doninant Vegetation: Carolina Bay A; Vegetation of ca. 90% of bay (total acreage ca. 40) is similar to most pocosin and Carolina bay vegetation in Carteret County, i.e. scattered Pinus serotina to ca. 40' with a dense broadleaf evergreen shrub growth (up to 10 ' ) dcminated by Cyrilla racemiflora, Lyonia lucida. Ilex coriacea, Smilax lauri folia, etc. However, this bay has a small area (ca. two acres) dotiinated by Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora (ca. 40' high) , near the southeast end of the bay, and a Cladium jamaicense marsh (ca. one acre) at the southeast comer of the bay The last two situations are rare in Carolina Bays in this county. Carolina Bay B; Like Bay A, this ca. 40 acre bay is dcminated by Pinus serotina (satie to 50 ' ) and a lew thick growth of broadleaf evergreen shrubs (ca. 37 acres) . It also contains ca. three acres doninated by Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora (40+'). Site Quality: Both the Pinus serotina and Nyssa sylvatica trees are generally small; their age is unknown. The general quality (and "potential") of both bays is enhanced by their proximity to each other and their proximity to the large pocosin (proposed as wilderness) which begins about one mile NW, the Millis Road longleaf pine savannah (2 miles NE) , and to the Patsy Pond natural area (2 miles SE) . Elevation: Ca. 35-38'. The rim around the Carolina Bay is about three feet higher than the bay center. Soil Series: Not yet mapped in Carteret County Soil Survey, but is probably Murville Sand (Jeannie Wilson) . _ 196 _ l^OU6iH sicercH rAKB^i J^frbs: Centella asiatica, Eriocaulon docangulare, Lobelia glandulosa, Pluchea foetida, Froserpinaca poctinata, Sabatia difformis, Sarracenia flava, Typha latifolia. Graminoids: Andropogon virginicus, Cladium jamaicense. Ferns: Osmunda c innamome a . Moss: Sphagnum sp. * A species list was made only for the marsh area in Bay A. ^[^^ Sea Gate Woods Natural Area Name: Sea Gate Woods Location: This hardwood forest is bordered on the south by Sea Gate development, on the east by an abandoned pecan orchard along the west side of the intracoastal waterway; on the north by (approx.) the Craven Co. line, and on the west by pocosin. See Map 26 Topographic Quadrangle: Core Creek Size: ca. 300 acres (roughly 1 mile x h mile) Elevation: 8-13' Access: Easily accessible from the road that runs along the intra- coastal waterway. Names of investigators: John 0. Fussell, III and Jeannie Wilson Date(s) of Investigation: November 2 & 12, 1980 Also, Fussell has visited this area several times in December and late April-mid May, 1972-1980, in search of birds. Number of Ovjners: two Names of Owners: International Paper Co. and Moulton Use of Natural Area: Hunting (primarily deer) Use of Surrounding Land: Wildland - 50%; Agricultural land - 40%; Developed land - 10%. Management Problem Description: Introduction of drainage canals on adjacent International Paper Co. land presents a threat to integrity. Threats: We assume the 244 acres owned by an individual is not threatened directly in the forseeable future. However, ca. 50 acres owned by International Paper Co. is adjacent to what appears to be the beginnings of clearcutting/tree farm opera- tions, and it might be clearcut also. Drainage canals are being installed and these could alter areas that are not cut. _ 200 _ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 5653 I NW M6 _ 202 _ DESCRIPTION OF SITE This hardwood tract covers ca. 300 rectangular, ca. one mile x \ mile, the The forest has many species characteris similarly "wet" areas in this county, b floodplain and it never or rarely has s usually "fairly moist but rarely wet" s due to the fact that the area sits on a decline. The western edge of the area 13' ; at the eastern edge, the elevation excavation of the intracoastal waterway eastern edge of the area probably also situation. However, it should be noted trees in the tract outdate the waterway Species composition varies with' the Liqu idambar styraciflua is the major tr it is dominant; at others, it is co-dom and Fr ax inus sp. ( t omen t o s a ? ) . In one edge of the tract, ca. 30% of the canop Pinus taeda-- 100' high with a DBH of 2 there are several F_£^u _s grand i f o 1 ia , b u DBH less than 18". Average DBH of all ca points, it is 24". Larges DBH -4 ' ; Quercus laur if oli 80 ' , but is locally lOO'''. Over most of the area fairly open and is compris Ilex £££££ • The shrub lay most of the area, there is patches of Leucothoe axill m_i n ££ often forms a defini are impressive, with frond the c oun t y . Ground cover also varies from s most of the area, the cover is spars and other species alternating with n northeast , Polys t i c hum a c r ££ t_ i cho ide Woody vines are common but do n Decumaria barbara is probably most c was not noted. If present, it is sp At the northeast corner of the that deserves special mention. Here where the edge of spoil material fro is an abundance of ferns, primarily Dryopter is ce l_s a . We do not know of found in the county before. The soi (probably locally higher), compared the spoil material. The T helypteris of this situation; the Dryopteris acres, and is roughly long axis north-south. tic of floodplains and ut the area is not a tanding water. This ituation is probably largely broad slight elevational has an elevation of ca. isca. 8'. Themajor only 200 yards from the contributes to the moisture that many of the canopy tract, but, in general, ee. At some points, inant with Quercus mi chaux j^j^ small area along the west y trees are notably large ' . In another limited area, t these are mostly small-- nopy trees is ca. 20' , but at some t trees seen were L ir i odend r on tulipifera a, DBH- 3.5'. Canopy height is mostly , the understory is similar. It is ed primarily of Carpinus carol iniana and er vegetation is more variable. Over generally no shrub stratum, except for aris_. Toward the north and east, ££_baj^ te shrub layer. At one point, the palmettos s over 6' , the largest we have seen in outhwest to northeast. Over e, patches of Woodward ia a r e o lata early bare ground. To the s often forms moderate cover. ot provide significant cover; ommon . Tillandsia u sne o j^de s ar se . tract, there is a small area , at the edge of the forest, m the waterway is present, there The lypteris kunthii and ma either 1 pH her to 6.0 t is cert y be . of these species being e is at least 6.5 o the west away from ainly present because ta CO e 0) u ■a a, c s 0) -p N to H () m t: ^4-( 01 o jn jj> w s cd -a ■H >> •H nJ S •H Q. CQ (U t, O tw •a o o -a s- ca a: .■.>l >, (0 -U 0) ■H t-, M CO ca CT CO bO -P ■H (fl c O O SI CO • ■H C ■H -P CO a CD T3 cn o D O CO rH CJ Cm (D X) CO ■o SL, ■H £1 X3 0) C 4J CO CD -p Q) c CO CU t^ M x: *-> -p cz) ro CO -P CO n 4-> u o Q. C Q. CO 3 CO Q CO ■rH o CD D. CO CO U CD CO Q. 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O to O CD O CD -P Q, Q u c CD m o J-, &o Jh CD c CD CO -P •H ■ -P -H Sh -a to D CO CD t- O CO U CD -H ■H t-, to G x: G PQ Q ■H H ■H 1 i -p CO ■P CO -a CD c CO o ■H Jh CD S ■< PRESERVATION RECOMMENDATION For t preserved pr obab ly b needed for At th 1) logging on the Int cana Is on be totally s ince the rare spec i drainage c table appr The ma regarding might cons easement o presence o be altered his tr a in its e ade qu this h is t ime This erna t io ad j acen incomp present e s wou 1 ana 1 s i ec iab ly jor own pre serv ider , f n the ir f some by p la ct to maintain its biological value, it should be present state. Preservation by itself would ate; little future management would probably be ardwood tract . , there are two potential threats to the area; would almost certainly be c lear -cu t t ing , especially nal Paper Co. land. 2) introduction of drainage t land. The firest threat, c le ar -cu 1 1 ing , would atible with the values of the tract, of course, habitat would be destroyed and most or all of the d be forced from the area. The introduction of s difficult to evaluate, but could lower the water s not contacted and his feelings to us. International Paper Co. lie image, granting a conservation the tract, especially if the stressed. Their attitude might f the major owner. er of the tract wa ation are unknown o" the .«akp of pub small portion of rarer species were ns and attitudes o RATING: Medium+ priority STATEMENT OF SITE SIGNIFICANCE This forest, because of its s the trees, is the most impressive It is also notable because it is n most of the larger hardwood areas those situations. In part of the structural component (shrub level) elsewhere in this county. Also, a generally uncommon in this county, provides dominant ground cover on This forest provides habitat Turkey vulture, black vulture, and threatened, are resident here. Th certainly breeds within the tract; species of special concern are bre green warbler, Swainson's warbler, black-throated green warbler is mo second highest breeding population status, the worm-eating warbler br Near the south end of the tract, t 5-10 paris of American redstarts, bird in the outer coastal plain of population is one of only three in Although not natural, a site a large population of two rare fer richness of the tract. The site i tract, at the border of the forest inland waterway. Shell material f soil pH , and this appears to be wh The lypteris kun th i i and Dryopteris second record of the The lypteris f site at which the species has been the first record of the Dryopteris considered to be threatened in Nor 1 ze an area o ot a f in th i forest , to a n "inl Polys part o for se red-s e r ed - the o ed ing and p s t not in th e ed s a here i This Nor th Carte at the n spec s at t and o r om th y ther eel 93 or the found in th th Car d th f ha 1 ood s CO , Sa deg and t ich f th vera hou 1 shou ther r e s i roth able e CO long s a spec Car ret edg ie s he n Id s e s p e ar T s t a T e CO o 1 in e r e 1 a t rdwood s plain o un t y ar ba 1 min r ee we species um aero e tract 1 rare de r e d h Ider e d s may d dents h ono t ar y ; this un t y . the ed breed in ie s is o 1 ina ; Coun t y . e of th adds to or the as po i 1 ma oils ha e large his app te and his is unty ; a . 1 ve ma in th r swam e 1 imi or is have n " that s t i c ho turity of is county. p forest; ted to a ma j or o t seen i s ides , bird awk , hawk o so er e ; war b 1 area m Of und ge s of g popu rare a this b pee le s . 11 Imos t 1 so . Three lack-throated er . The ay have the etermined the tract, lat ion of s a breeding reeding e area harboring the biological t edge of the ter ia 1 from the s increased the numbers of ears to be the the northernmost apparently also this species is _ 206 - IJatural Ch aracLui-J s !._ [ c ^ f; u mniary a. Vocjot lit ion-HnjL I f C'diuiuunity Sunin'aj-y Most common is Liquidambar styraciflua or Mixed hardwoods/ Coinmanity typi.^: Carpinus caroliniana-Ilex opaca. Notable variation is Mixed hardwoods/Carpinus caroliniana-Ilex opaca/Sabal Coirmunity covtM tyiJc-: minor/Folystichum acrostichoides . Liquidambar styraciflua or Mixed hardwoods General habitat NMturc: Hardwood forest Averaqe tree hficjht: qq_^, Estimated age of canopy trees: ^^ -^qq Estimated size oL a.'socia t i on (sq, i'ii>tiMS, aci-c/s, etc.): ca. 300 acres. Success iunal stacie: Sere type: near climax - . Common canopy species in coinmunily cc^ver tvjio or community typo (bnt not Uoiuimnt): Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus s & Quercus michauxii-locally co-dominant ;Quercus nigra & Q. laurifolia common. CoiiUTion subcanopy-.shrvib stratum swedes in coniniiTTiiTy cover ty[je or corpiniur. i ty tytn^ (but not ciorainant): Acer rubrum, Cornus florida, Symplocos tinctoria, Lyonia lucida, Ligustrum smense. ComjTion herb s t r..i tuin spoijies Tn co;aiauni ty LyiTe (but !i6t dominant) : Woodwardia areolata, Asplenium platyneuron, Boehmeria cylindrica Carex spp, Saururus cernuus, Mitchella repens Success ional sLaq.': Sere tyi)e: b. Soi 1 Summary • Source of infoniat 'on: gQg^ USDA. 1979. Soil Survey of Carteret County, N.C., Interim report. Soil series: Deloss fine sandy loam, Roanoke loam, Newhan-Carteret (spoil; Soil order: Deloss and Roanoke- Ultisol, Newhan-Carteret- Entisol » pH class: Deloss- 4.5-6.5 strongly acidic to acidic, Roanoke-4 .5-5 .5 , strongly acidic to acidic, Newhan-6 .6-7 .8 , acidic to circumneutral . Moisture cla.ss: Deloss-wet, floods, Roanike, clayey, floods, Newhan, droughty Associated community covcj- tyi^e or community type: * pH tested was 6.0 J near Thelypteris and spoil material 6.5 207 Hydrology riununary Drainajo basin: Neuse and Newport Rivers Hydrologic sysLi:ni: terrestrial Ilydrologic subsyrtcm: mesic Water chemistry: fi^esh Water regiimi: intermittently exposed Suminary-Topogra[Jiy and Piiys iogi aphy Topographic sitr typL- ch.iract ^r i s t i cs : Land t'orm: portion of a very slightly sloping plain Shelter: sheltered Asfiect: N.A. Slope aiiqle: nearly level 0-2 Profile: N.A. Surface patterns; : mostly smooth Position: N.A. Physiographic s l Lo type of natural area: "Sea Gate Woods" Physiographic site type of coiamunity cover type or community type: all of Sea Gate Woods. Geologic formation: Core Creek Sand Geologic format if^n age: Pleistocene References: Mixon.R.B. & OH Pllkey. 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, N.C. US Geol Survey Prof. Paper 859. US Govt. Print. Off. 208 G. Summary - r;ndanijerc!d and throat:Gnt.>d spocJos Name of species: Pryopteris celsa Species legal statu;?: Threatened peripheral Number of populations on site: one seen Number of individuals per population: at least "scores" Size or maturity of individuals: were fertile General vigor oi poi>ul ation : apparently good Distnrbanctj i^r ll.r'Vits t') pO[)U I ati cui : none known }l.il)itat charact' rijls Vegetation assc^ciati.on : plants on logs; soil more basic Topography: ^^^^^ surrounding areas (pH 6.5 Soil series: compared to 6.0) because of shell Microclimate: material from spoils from the Drainage basin: inland waterway. Otlier plants and animal r. spi-cios piesent: AKAiAL OR DETAri.Lio MAPS WITH roi'UT.AT] i ).,;; cll;ar!.y marki;d. ^. Master species Lists _209 o. Summary - KntLiiMjiMcil an-l thieat-oncd spocios Name of sjiccics: Thelypteris kunthii SpGcios ](jtjal :.;t.iLu:i: Not listed in Cooper et al , 1975, because species had not been found in state at that time. Number of populations on site: ^^^ Number of individuals per population: hundreds Size or maturity of individuals: fertile General vigor of [copulation: good Disturbance; or throats to population: none known Habitat charactcirisLs Vegetation association: Soil more basic than surrounding Topcjraphy: area (6.5 compared to 6.0) because Soil series : of shell material from spoils Microclimate: from the inland waterway. Drainage basin: Other plants and animals spccios present: AERIAL OR nF-:'l'Af l.KO MAPil WFTil POPUr.ATlO'Jr, CT, EARLY MARKED. r. Master jpt?cies Mstn _ 210 _ SPECIES LISTS PLANTS Trees : Acer r ubrum Carpinus caroliniana Cornu s florida Fagus grartdifolia Fraxinus sp. (tomentosa?) Ilex opaca Liquidambar styraciflua Liriodendron tulipifera Magnolia virginiana Morus rubra Myrica cerifera Nyssa sylvatica var Persea borbonia P inu s t aed a Quercus laurifolia Quercus michauxii Quer cu s nigra Ulmus americana b i f 1 or a Shrubs: Callicarpa americana Leucothoe axillaris Ligustrum sinense Lyonia lucida Herbs: Boehmeria cylindrica Geum canadense Impatiens capensis Mitchella repens Vines: Ampelopsis arborea Anisostichus capreolata Decumaria barbara Lonicera japonica Matelea suberosa F ar t heno c i s s u s quinquefolia Epiphytes: Phoradendron serotinum Graminoids : Arundinaria gigantea Carex spp. Ferns Asplenium platyneuron Athyrium asplenioides Botrychium dissectum Dryopteris celsa Osmunda cinnamomea Osmunda regalis ANIMALS Amph i b i an s : Reptiles: Eastern mud turtle Eastern box turtle Carolina anole Ground skink Eastern glass lizard Myrica heterophylla Saba 1 minor Symplocos tinctoria Sanicula canadensis Saururus cernuus Tipularia discolor Rhus radic an s Smilax bona-nox Smilax laurifolia Smi lax sma 1 1 i i Vitis rotundifolia Cyperus spp. Panicumi spp. Polystichum ac r o s t i cho i de s Thelypteris kunthii Thelypteris palustris Woodwardia areolata Woodwardia virginica Southern leopard frog Black racer Rat snake Rough green snake Copperhead 211 Birds Great Turke Black Sharp Red-8 Yello Scree Great Bar re Chuck Ruby- Commo Pilea Red-b Yello Hairy Downy Great Easte Ac ad i Blue Commo Fish Carol Tuf te Red-b Brown Br own Wint e Carol Gray Brown Amer i Wood Hermi Blue- Golde blue h y vu 1 tu vu 1 tur -sh inne hou Ide r w-b i 1 le ch owl horned d owl -will 's thr oate n flick ted woo e 1 1 ied w-be 1 1 i woodpe woodpe ere s te rn phoe an f lye jay n crow crow ina ch i d t i tmo reas ted -headed cr eepe r wren ina wre catbird thrash can rob thrush t thrus gray, gn n-cr own er on re e d hawk ed hawk d cuckoo owl -widow d hummingbird er dpe cker woodpecker ed sapsucker cker cker d flycatcher be a t cher c kadee use nu thatch nuthatch r er in atcatcher ed kinglet Ruby-crowned kinglet Cedar waxwin g White-eyed vireo Solitary vireo Red-eyed vireo Black-and-white warbler Prothonotary warbler Swainson's warbler Worm-eating warbler Northern parula Black-throated blue warbler Ye 1 low-r umped warbler Black-throated green warbler Pine war b ler Ovenb ird Kentucky warbler Common yellowthroat Hooded war b ler American redstart Red winged blackbird Rusty blackbird Common grackle Brown-headed cowbird Summer tanager Cardinal Indigo bunting Evening grosbeak Pur p le finch Pine siskin American goldfinch Rufous-seded towhee Dark-eyed junco Wh i te -thr oa t ed sparrow Fox sparrow Swamp sparrow Song s par row Mamma 1 s Opos sum Eastern mo le Raccoon Eastern gray squirrel Wh itetail deer Reference cited: Cooper J. et al (Eds). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals of North Carolina. N.C. State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N.C. Union Point Pocosin Name of Area: Union Point Pocosin County: Carteret and Craven Location: Pocosin centered ca. 2 miles N of Union Point community, which is ca. 1.5 miles NE of Newport, N.C. See Map 27. Quadrangle: Newport Date: November 3, 1980 Investigator: John Fussell (Report by Fussell and Jeannie Wilson) Physical/Habitat Feature: pocosin Survey Priority: medium - due primarily to it being a large extent of "wild land". This is the second largest contiguous tract of pocosin in the county, 6000+ acres. Dominant Vegetation: See comments. Site Quality: Age of Pond Pine is unknown; however, there is no evidence of recent fire. Total pocosin acreage, 6000+ , is large. Elevation: ca. 24' Topography: Essentially flat, featureless, edges dissected by small streams . Soil Series: Information unavailable from incomplete soil survey of Carteret County. Size: All pocosin - 6000+ acres Geological Formation: Planner Beach Formation, Pleistocene Mixon & Pilkey, 1976. Reconnaissance Geology of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, N.C. US Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 859. US Govt. Printing Off. Drainage: N to Neuse River, S to Newport River E & T Species Present: none known Potential for E & T Species: Some of area is marginal habitat for Red-cockaded woodpeckers. Black bears, now considered of special concern status, but which may be considered threatened in the future, occur here. -212 _ 47-30" - .214 - Site Integrity: There are no significant human encroachments within this tract. Owners: USDA, Forest Service, Croatan National Forest. Other Knowledgeable Persons: Dr. Gene Huntsman, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, Beaufort, N.C. 28516 Other Comments: This is the second largest contiguous tract of pocosin left in Carteret County. The area of Pinus serotina/Arundinaria gigantea may be the largest in this county, but this would be difficult to ascertain. _ 215 _ DOMINANT VEGETATION: Most of the area is high pocosin dominated b y P i n u 3 s e rot ina , Gordon i a las ian thus , Cyr i 1 1 a racemiflora , Lyon i a 1 u c i (i a , Ilex cor iacea , etc. Thf purpose of this trip was to visit two areas which apparently (based on aerial photographs) had relatively low vegetation. The first (ca. 2000' X 1500') lies ca. one mile tJW of the Main Prong; the second (ca. 4000' X 3000') lies one mile ;;W of the first. On this visit, only the SE site covild be reached; I he second site is probably similar to the first site. Charncteriiiation of the vo_t;etation at the SE site is: P i n u .^ s e r o t ina (sparse )/Ly on ia 1 u c i d a -C y r i 11a r a c e m i f 1 o r a / S p h a g n u m spZ/Smi Lax 1 a u r i f o 1 i a . The pines are ca. 15-20', the lar>;est have a DRH of 14". The mass of Lyon i a a n d C y r i 1 1 a is ca. 4' high. One quarter mile N W of the area described above, an area of 1 ' i n u s '^ e r (j t ina / A r u n J i n aria g i gan tea was f o > j n d . The pines averaged / 5 ' with an rt" DlUl; the cane was 8'. This community caniiot be safely (! i f I e r e n t i a 1 I ' d c> n aerial photographs. T t appears to have an extent >)f ca. 2000' X 400'; w<> do not know of any similarly -sized tracts of lli.lL" '"^ ril^ o t i n a / A r u n d__i n .i r i a ); i g a n t i ■ a in the coe.nty. The pocosin grades into bay forests at some points and borders sylvicultural lands elsewhere. I'LA'M'S OBSERVE [1 (List is restricted Lo immediate sites mentioned above ) : r (M' s : Acer rubrvim (none ''rei' sizc'), Cordonia lasianthus, Mag.nolia virginiana (none tree size), Nyssa sylvatica var. biflcira (noni' tree size), Per sea borbonia, Pious serot ina . Shrubs Cyrilla racemiflora. Ilex glabra, Kalmia angustifolia var. c a r o 1 i n i a n a , L y o n i a 1 u c i d a , tl y r i c a h >.: t :■ r o p h y 1 1 a , Sorbui arbutifolia, Vaccinium atrococcum, Zenobia pulveru lenta . Vines : Herbs : G ! a m i V. o i d s Smilax laurifolia Xy r i s s p . Arundinaria gigantea, Caie;-: walteriana, Kriophorum virginicum. F e r r s Woodwardia virginica Sphagnum sp. _216 _ ANIMALS OBSERVED Birds : Mamina 1 9 : Turk''y vulture, Black vulture, Carolina chickadee, House wren, Winter v r e n , Carolina wren. Ruby -crowned kinglet, Ye 1 1 ow -r umpe 1 wnrbler, Rufoua-sided towhee. U'hitetail deer (Black bears occur also) Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area Name: Walker's Mill Pond Location: Tract includes Walker's Mill Pond and associated swamp forests and floodplains. This area is ca. 3 miles E of the Town of Newport. See Map 1. Topographic Quadrangle: Newport Size: Ca. 500 acres Elevation: 3-20' Access: SR 1154 passes through area. Logging roads provide access to other parts of area. Names of Investigators: John 0. Fussell, III and Jeannie Wilson Date(s) of Investigation: 1980: July 5; Sept. 13, 16, 23; Nov. 3 (Also, Fussell has made many trips to this area, 1965-1980, mostly winter and spring, primarily in search of birds. He made systematic censuses of breeding birds in part of the area in 1970.) Protection Status: The pond and swamp forest is apparently being preserved by a hunting and fishing club. _ 217- 4J C I CO CO • H U to u td o e o o cn 0) •H M CU 0) 1 4-1 C ^ >s ij o CO •H • •H 4-1 1—1 CO M-i , x: CO >— 1 D CO CO o c CO U • 1-1 > o. •H M O o OJ • OJ o CO 60.-( >^ u ^ CO o C CO 4-1 •r-i CO tS 4J CO CO T3 cu 4J o CO 00 1-1 -H en 4-1 1-1 o >^ .-1 1—1 r-l a 01 X) CU 01 CO B OJ C o r-l »> CO M-l •H 01 o )-l C ,c; • iH CO 1—1 1— 1 4-) f^ >^tH M-l M o CO 1—1 [3 4-1 CO m rC 4-1 1— 1 4J 00 • H 4-1 S IJ JJ OJ O 1-1 ij *-> £50 d 0) c c c T3 O en >. 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Pond The focal point of this natural area is Walker's Mill Pond (now usually called "The Mill Pond"). This reservoir was repor- tedly constructed shortly after 1900; it occupies a former flood' plain and is long and narrow, running generally N-S . The extent of open water is about 125 acres; the pond is probably mostly less than 5' in depth. The pond itself is relatively "sterile"; its associated swamp forests and floodplain forests are much more biologically productive. Swamp_ forest At the mouths of the four streams running into the pond, where the water is ca. 1-4 feet deep, there are swamp forests made up almost exclusively of Taxod ium d i s t i c hum ; these trees have a thick covering of Till and s ia usneoides . Trees are about 70' high with an average DBH of ca. 20'. The water is mostly covered with Nymphaea odor at a . This is the most impressive ex- ample of this type community in Carteret County; of course it is artificial though. Common here are yellowbelly sliders and cot- tonmouths. Wood ducks are common in winter and prothonotary warblers and northern parulas in summer. F_l££d^£_l_a j^n f^£r^e s t ond are Newpor t in fores a in , the ia 1 ly wi s_ sp . ( t_ £ 9 t yr ac s mos t c e the ve average pec le s four floodplains, and another River. Together these make t in rather close proximity. Main Prong, is most notable dth (500+ feet across). Ma- omen t o s a ? ) , Nj^^^^. sylvatica iflua ; Ny s s a is most common ommon upstream. getation was analyzed, the DBH is ca. 20". The under- The shrub layer is generally re Saururus cernuus and a so common in these areas. Common perma- woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees and r, red-eyed vireos, prothonotary war- las are common 222 Mesic hardwood forest cult This 1 irai der s slop s enc er a 1 ly ze Quer Be tween ur a 1 land varies i ted to th the f loo es . This e within rare spe Spec ie s d next to cus n igj a at a The ther d_e_s_; Z2.IL is t year se le this war b ac te thoe Swa L no ther . under s t or e is th ic at the s ia lucida he no tab 1 old long c t ive cut Rare spe c ommun i t ler . Oft r i zed by a X i 1 1 ££ i ns on ' s wa the flo s , ther n width e s 1 igh dp la ins c ommun the na t c ie s . c ompo s i the Ma at one The ave y is do k gr oun ec on si At a e s i tua leaf an ting ab c ie s in y are b en , a lo a thick s_ J and r b le r s . odplain forests and the surrounding sylvi- e is often a narrow strip of mesic forest. from nothing to ca. 200' . This community is t (ca, 5') and narrow slope that usually bor- and to a narrow strip of upland along the ity type is rare in the county and its pre- ural area contributes to the presence of sev- t ion in P sit rage mina d CO te , no th t ion d lo out the lack ng t gro s e ve app rong e an DBH ted ver ther er s of blol 1900 na t -and he s wth r a 1 ears to va , c o-dorain d Carya g 1 is 22 ' an by Cornus dominated e is a th i i t e , also a mixture ly pines, ural area -white war lope, ther of Sa'^a 1 ^ ferns . Th ry considerably. Where ana- ants are Carya glabra and abra and Quercus michauxii d the canopy height is 80 . florida. At the first site, b y Po ly s t ichum a c rostichoi - ck shrub cover dominated by along the Main Prong, there of mature hardwoods and 80 apparently the result of that are largely limited to bier, ovenbird, and Kentucky e is an ecotonal area char- in"r , 1^2.— L— 1 u c i d a , Leu c_o - is is excellent habitat for 223 Management and preservation recommendation: We can think of no management that is needed for the area at this time. This area is, fortunately, probably not threatened for at least 20 years (the approximate time of the first "harvest" of adjacent sy Ivicu 1 tur a 1 lands). The pond and the swamp forests are protected as part of a hunting and fishing preserve. The floodplain forests and mesic hardwood forest areas are probably not threatened until the next harvest of adjacent sy 1 vicu 1 tur a 1 lands, probably about 2000. Major threat then might be that the paper companies will be even more efficient in removing the mesic hardwood strip for conversion to sylvi- cu 1 ture . _ 224 _ Rating Medium"*' priority Statement of site significance The major significance of this "natural area", which is actually to a large extent a man-made natural area, is that it includes a complex of habitats that support many rare species. We know of at least 17: endangered — American alligator; threatened — Habernar ia f lava , anhinga, turkey vulture; black vulture, red -shou Idered hawk; of special concern — great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, osprey, black- throated green warbler, Swainson's warbler, prothonotary warbler, black bear; undetermined — worm-eating warbler, black-and-white warbler; locally rare-- ovenbird, Kentucky war b ler . The baldcypress swamp forest is, although not natural, the best example of this type community in the county. The floodplain forests are slightly significant for natural values, making up one of the better examples of this community in the county. The mesic hardwood area is also slightly significant. This is a rare community in this county. The major negative feature of this mesic hardwood forest is its limited (especially narrow) size. - 225 - A . natural Charactcri.' ; t_ i ca riumm.Try a. Vofjetation-HioL i c Comiimnity Su.iiPMry Community typ<.; : Taxod ium distichum/Nymphaea odor a ta/ / _ . . . Till and s ia Community covor type: r-: ■' -• ' usneoides Taxodium distichura Genoral— fTTimTTiT r<>aruru! Swamp forest Averaqe tree hui jlit: so' Estimated ncju of cinopy treos: loo? Estimated si'/o ot a.-:'.ocia t iru (sq. I'l't.crs, acres, .^t.c): 100 acres Succossiuiai :;i.v|c>: Sere type: Trees probably predate pond. Coitimon canopy spocies in CDiniiuini I y .-(jvoi- typ'"? or community typo (tint not dominant) : NA Coi.unon subcunopy-biirub sLratani r.fvcii's iii coiii'mi'ii t y covor type or co'nmiin i ty type (l)iiL !iot Joninnnt) : nA Common herb stiaLirn specie;; in co; iiniini ty tyiu' (Init not dominant) : NA Success ional sL.i'ie: Sere Lype: 226 b. Hydro looy numriarY ■•-■.... .;...,. Drainaje basjii: Newport River ' ;,:^ ■ ; HydrologLc systcn: Palustrine " " ^ ^• ilydrolO';}] c ::ulir,ys t.>ni: Aqueous Wai.er cli<:ni r.t i y : Fresh, acidic (pH unknown) t^.)Lcr ff'-cjimo: Permanently (artificially) flooded c. fJunuM.iry -'ropo'jriii-liy aiul Pliy:; icqiMpliy ■' ■■ Toporjrriplii c s i t.c lypi- cha rncl t-r i s t ic^ : ' ' Larifl form: Submerged floodplain SholLt;r: Some sections are relatively exposed to southerly winds . Aspect: NA Slope angle: NA ' • . .■ Profile: NA riurface pattoriis: NA Position; NA Physioc/raphic ::i i I o tyi't; of nitural aiivi: Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area Pliysioqt aphic site type of co.imun i t.y ci>vor tyt)'^ or community type: Swamp forest within Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area Geologic ff)rr«at ion: Planner Beach Formation (Mixon and Pilkey Geoloqic formation aq.-: „,_-^ 1976) Pleistocene Kef ore nee s : _ 227 _ Natural CharacLcri;: t ic:; f.umniary a. Vecjetation-HioLic f'nimnun i t y Summary Cominunity typo: Fr ax inus s p . -Ny s sa sylvatica var . biflora- Taxod ium d i s t ichum/ Acer rub rum Community cover type: Fr ax inu s s p . - N y s s a sylvatica var. biflora-Taxodium dist ichum General habitat feature: . , Floodplain forest Average tree hoicjlit: 80' Estimated ago of canopy trces:100+ Estimated size of association {s^^. wtors, acrc^s, etc.): 250 acres Succcssional ataqe: Near climax? Sere type: Psammope loser e Common canopy specie-s in communily eover Lvpe or community, type .(but not d(Miiinan.t) : Lirj,odendr on t u^ ^£ if er a , Que re u s micnauxi i , Q u £.£_ciis_ laurifolia Common subcano['y-shrub stratum species in ccjiviumity cover type or community type (but not dominant): £a.l£iElii c a r o 1 i n i a n a , Ilex opac a , Per sea borbonia , Sabal minor "Common herb ji I ratum s[)ecie.s in coi'imuniTY' tY^"i^ [hTTT TTOt dominant) : C a r e x spp. , Rhynchospor a mj^l iacea , Saururu s cernuu s Successional i.Laqi': Sere type: b. Soil Suirmary Source of information: USDA-SCS. 1979. Soil Survey of Carteret County, NC . Interim report. Soil series: Johnston and Muckalee Soil order: Johnston — Inceptisol; Muckalee — Entisol pH class: strongly acid to c ir cumneu tr a 1 (5.1-7.3) Moisture class: wet to wet-mesic Associated community oovi^^r type or community type: 228 _ c. Hydrology Suuunary Drainajo basin: Newport River Hydrologic system: Palustrine Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous Water chemistry: Fresh, acidic (pH unknown) Water regime: Intermittently flooded d. Summary-Topography and Physiography Topographic site type characteristics: Land form: Floodplain Shelter: Sheltered Aspect: na Slope angle: Nearly level Profile: NA Surface patterns: Flats and pans Position: Entire cross section of floodplain Physiographic site type of natural Walker s Mill Pond Natural Area area; Physiographic site type of coiumunity cover type or community type: Floodplain forest within Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area Geologic formation: Planner Beach Formation (Mixon and Pilkey Geologic formation ago: pleistocene ^^^^^ References : 229 Natural Characboristics Summary a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary Community typo: Varies. Examples are Carya g labr a-Quer cu s nigra/Cornus florida/Polystichum acrostichoides and C . g labr a-Q . Community cover typo: michauxii /Corpus f lor ida/Lyon ia luc Ida Varies. Carya glabra-Quercus nigra and C . glabra-Q .michauxii are General habitat feature: frequent. Mesic hardwood forest Average tree height: , • [estimated age of canopy trees: 100 + ? Estimated tiize ot association (sq, m(^tcrs, acres, etc.): Less than 25 acres Successional .stage: Mostly near climax. Mixed transient and climax at some sites due to selective cutting about 1900. Sore typo: Psamraosere Common canopy apecies in community cover type or comnunity typo (but not dominant): Quercus alba , Quercus falcata , P inus t aeda (locally), P inus palustris (locally) Coi.unon subcanopy-bhrub stratum species in community cover type or community tY[)e (but not dominant) : Ijex o£a£a , Leu cot hoe axillaris , Symp toe os t inc t or ia , S tewar t ia ma lacodendron CoirjTTon herb stratum species in community type (but not dominant) : Panicum sp. , Mi tche 11a repens Successional stage: Sere typo: Soil Summary Source of information: USDA-SCS . 1979. Soil Survey of Carteret County, NC . Interim report. .J _^ . Onslow loamy sand and Lynchburg fine sandy loam Soil order: both Ultisol pH class: extremely acid to acid (3.6-5.5) Moisture cla.ss: mesic Associated community cover type or community typo: - ^?o - c . Hydroioqy .'Uii.i, .t . nraina'-ie 1j:i i;i: Newport River Hydro locj i c: :;, ; t • i: Mesic llydrologic Pib.y !'.i:i: Mesic to dry-mesic Water clicm i s t ry : Fresh W.itnr ruqitr.. : Permanently exposed d. Suriima ry-Tuj )'.>'[ rcii-'liy ,ii;d P!v/.: i (■,' i ,_i ■!:■,. Topographic :.i'> '\'\-i'- ci,,! t h ■ • ; i i i,-.; Laii 1 forr.: Slope and narrow fringe of adjacent upland . SiKjltor: Sheltered A.succt' Most slope a'-ea" fare easterly or westerly, Slofji- a.-iqJ' : Nearly level (0-2) to gently sloping (2-6); rarely sloping (6-10) l^rofiio: Convex, concave, and constant L^arfaco [..iM' ii; ; Mostly smooth PosiLion: Entire slope and fringe of adjacent upland Physiogr a[)ii i c .,ii'; • yp'^ <"ir U'lui.n .H' .i: Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area Physiographic slLu l.yijc ol ..■( ...liuim i i \- cnvM" ; ■ ■ or community type-: Slopes and adjacent upland fringes within Walker's Mill Pond Natural Area (ieoloyic format ion: Planner Beach Formation (Mixon and Pilkey Geologic formation agu: pleistocene ^'^''^^ Roferences: Mixon, R. and 0. Pilkey. 1976. Reconnaissance Geo- logy of the Submerged and Emerged Coastal Plain Province, Cape Lookout Area, North Carolina. US Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 859 US Govt. Print. Office, Washington. _ 231 - e. Summary- Endangered and threatened species Name of species: Habernar ia f lava Species legal status: Threatened peripheral Number of populations on site: Several Number of individuals per population: "Scores" Size and maturity of individuals: Flowering and fruiting General vigor of population: Apparently good Disturbance or threats to population: None Habitat characteristics Vegetation association: Fr ax inu s s p . -Ny s s a sylvatica var . biflora- Taxod ium d i s t ichum/ Acer r ubrum Name of species: American alligator Species legal status: Endangered (Federal list) Number of populations on site: Unknown Number of individuals per population: Unknown Size or maturity of individuals: Unknown Comments: Individuals have been released at the mill pond during the last decade, but the species was pro- bably present before, as it occurs on the adjacent Newpor t River . - 232 - Name of species: Anhinga Species legal status: Threatened Number of populations on site: One? Number of individuals per population: Ca. 6 or more Size or maturity of individuals: Adults present General vigor of population: Unknown Disturbance or threats to population: Probably none Comments: This species, which is very rare in Carteret Coun- ty, has been present each spring from 1976 through 1980. Nesting is likely somewhere in the sw^mp forests or floodplain areas. If the species does nest here, this may be the nor theas ternmos t nesting locality in the U.S. Name of species: Turkey vulture Species legal status: Threatened Number of populations on site: Unknown Number of individuals per population: Unknown Size or maturity of individuals: Adults present Comments: This species is permanent resident here. It has apparently increased in population in the last five years. It may breed in or adjacent to the natural area . i _ 233 - Name of species: Black vulture Species legal status: Special Concern Number of populations on site: Unknown Number of individuals per population: Unknown Size or maturity of individuals: Adults present Comments: This species is permanent resident here. It has apparently increased in population in the last five years. It may breed in or adjacent to the natural area . Name of species: Cooper's hawk Species legal status: Special Concern Comments: This species is very rare or absent as a breeding species in Carteret County. An individual was seen here in late April 1980, raising the possibility of breeding here. Name of species: Red -shou Ider ed hawk Species legal status: Special Concern Number of populations on site: At least 4-5 (one per floodplain) Number of individuals: Approx. 3 Size or maturity of individuals: Adults present General vigor of population: Numbers constant for last 10 years Disturbance or threats to population: None Habitat characteristics Vegetation association: Floodplain forest _ 234 _ f. Species lists PLANTS- Trees : Acer rubrum Carpinus caroliniana Carya glabra Cornusflorida Fraxinus sp. (tomentosa?) Ilexopaca Liquidambar styraciflua Liriodendron tulipifera Magnolia virginiana Morus rubra Nyssa sylvatica var . biflora Nyssa sylvatica var. sylvatica Osmanthus americana Persea borbonia P inus palustris Pinus taeda Prunus nigra Quercus alba Quer cus f a lea ta Quercus laurifolia Quercus michauvii Quercus nigra Salix nigra Taxodium distichum Ulmus americana Shrubs : Alnus serrulata Araliaspinosa Callicarpa americana Cephalanthus occidentalis Cornus stricta Cyrilla racemiflora Euonymus americanus Gaylussacia frondosa Hyper icum sp . Iteavirginica Leucothoe axillaris Lyonia lucida Myrica cerifera Saba 1 minor Stewartia ma lacodendr on Symplocos tinctoria Vaccinium atrococcum Viburnum nudum Herbs Arisaema triphyllum Asclepias variegata Bartonia paniculata Boehmeria cylindrica Burmannia biflora Centella asiatica Chimaphila maculata Drosera intermedia Eriocaulon decangulare Ga 1 ium sp . Habernaria flava Hydrocotyle umbellata Hydrocotyle verticillata Iris vir gin ica Lobelia cardinalis Ludwigia palustris Ludwig ia sp . Mitchella repens Monotropa uniflora P luchea f oe t ida Polygala lutea Po lygonum s pp . Pontederia cordata Proserpinaca palustris 23! Herbs (continued); Sabatia calycina Sagittaria graminea Saururus cernuus Sparganium americanum Utricularia juncea Viola papilionacea Xyr is s p . Aqua t ic s : Egeria densa Nymphaea odorata Nymphoides aquatica Gr aminoids : Arundinaria gigantea Carex spp . Cyperus spp . E leochar is sp . Fuirena pumila Panicum spp. Rhynchospora miliacea Scirpus cyperinus Ferns : Asplenium platyneuron Athyrium asplenioides Botrychium dissectum Osmunda regalis Polystichum acr os t icho ide s Thelypteris palustris Woodwardia areolata Woodwardia virginica Vine s Anisostichus capreolata Campsis radicans Decumaria barbara Matelea suberosa Mikania scandens Par thenoc issus quinquefolia Rhu s radicans Rubus sp . Smilax bona-nox Sinilax laurifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis rotundifolia Epiphytes ; Phoradendron serotinum Tillandsia usneoides - 236 - ANIMALS- Amphib ians : Southern toad Southern cricket frog Gray tree frog Green troef^og Spring peeper Pine woods treefrog Squirrel treefrog Little grass frog Bullfrog Green frog Southern leopard frog Carpenter frog Eastern narrowmouth toad Rep t i le s : American alligator Snapping turtle Eastern mud turtle Yellowbelly slider Eastern box turtle Carolina anole Southeastern five-lined skink Ground skink Eastern glass lizard Black racer Corn snake Rat snake Eastern kingsnake Banded watersnake Rough green snake Eastern ribbon snake Copperhead Cot t onmou th Timber rattlesnake Birds i* = breeds or probably breeds within area) Common loon Pied-billed grebe Anh in ga Great blue heron Green heron Little blue heron Great egret Snowy egret Yellow-crowned night heron American bittern Wh i te ibis Mallard Pintail Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal American wigeon Wood duck Ring-necked duck Le s Rud Hoo Tur Bla Sha Coo Red Red Mar Osp Me r Ame Bob Ame Spo Sol Mou ser dy ded key ck rp- per -ta -sh sh rey lin r ic wh i r ic tte ita rn i scaup duck me r ganser vu 1 1 ur e vulture shinned hawk ' s hawk i led hawk ou Ider ed hawk hawk an kestrel te an wood cock d sandp iper ry s andp iper ng dove - 237 - Yellow-billed cuckoo Black-billed cuckoo Screech owl Great horned owl Barred owl Chuck-will ' s-widow Ruby-throated hummingbird Belted kingfisher Common flicker Pileated woodpecker Red-bellied woodpecker Red-headed woodpecker Yellow-bellied sapsucker Hairy woodpecker Downy woodpecker Eastern kingbird Great crested flycatcher Eastern phoebe Acadian flycatcher Purple mar t in B lue j ay Common crow Fish crow Carolina chickadee Tufted titmouse Red-breasted nuthatch Brown-headed nuthatch Brown creeper House wren Winter wren Carolina wren Gray catbird Brown thrasher Amer ican robin Wood thrush Hermit thrush Blue-gray gnatcatcher Golden-crowned kinglet Ruby-crowned kinglet Cedar waxwing White-eyed vireo Yellow-throate Solitary "ir<=o Red-eyed vireo Black -and -whit Prothonotary w Swa ins on ' s war Worm-eating wa Orange -crowned Nor thern paru 1 Black-throated Yellow-rumped Black-throated Yellow-throate P ine warb ler Prairie warb le Ovenb ird Nor thern wa ter Kentucky warbl Common yellowt Yellow-breaste Hooded warbler Amer ican redst Redwinged b lac Rusty blackbir Common grackle Brown-headed c Scarlet t anage Summer tanager Cardinal Blue grosbeak Indigo bun ting Even ing grosbe Purple finch Pine siskin Amer ican goldf Rufous-sided t Dark-eyed junc White -throated Fox s par row Swamp sparrow Song sparrow d vireo e warbler arb ler bier rb ler warb ler a blue warb ler warb ler green warb ler d warb ler thrush er hr oa t d cha t art kbird d owb ird r ak inch owhee o sparrow Mamma 1 s Opossum Eas tern mole Black bear Race oon River otter Eastern gray squirrel Eastern cottontail Whi tetail deer CROAT A-'"N. ^J9 MAP 29: WILDBERRY WOODS Wildberry Woods Name of Natural Area: Wildberry Woods Location: Carteret County; Salter Path USGS Topographic quad map; on N.C. Hwy. 24 and Broad Creek southwest of Morehead City, North Carolina adjoining the Croatan National Forest. See Map 29.- Ownership and Administration: Dr. Jan Kohlmeyer is the owner. Size: Approximately 38 acres, excluding residential area. Land Use: The land has served as a study site for biologists from the University of North Carolina and other institutions. Some cutting of pine by the previous owners, occurred around 1962. The Kohl- meyer residence, a house and some outbuildings, adjoin the natural area. Since their ownership, the Kohlmeyers maintained this tract in its natural condition. Protection Status: The land is protected as a registered N.C. Natural Heritage Area. Reasons for Significance: Wildberry Woods is representative of coastal plain communities. Within its relatively small area, three princi- pal communities are featured: the estuarine Spartina-Juncus salt- marsh community; the sandy woodlands, savannas of loblolly and longleaf pines; and the evergreen shrub bogs complemented by a freshwater pond and branches. The site offers habitat for several rare species (see Table 1). Osprey, a bird of special concern, fish regularly in Broad Creek, the northeast boundary of the proposed natural area. Moreover, orchids, the Venus Flytrap and pitcher plants populate portions of the land. Wildberry Woods exhibits a wide- natural diversity on both the community and species level. The area serves as an excellent example of coastal plain communities, and its usefulness for nature interpretation and scientific observation is evident. Preserve Recommendation: Wildberry Woods should be protected from develop- ment because of its value as habitat for the various special plants and animals, its function as a possible field station for educational purposes, and its proximity to the Patsy Pond natural area. Management Recommendation: Management efforts should be directed towards simple maintenance and up-keep of the property with minimal development, Compiled by the Natural Heritage Program, DNRCD, Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh, N. C. (1979). _ 239 _ C R 0 A T A MAP 29: WILDBERRY WOODS - 241 - Data Sources: Dr. Jan Kohlmeyer, Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, N. C. Ms. Jeannie Wilson, Hampton Mariners Museum, Beaufort, N.C. Dr. D. E. Hoss, National Marine Fisheries Service, Beaufort, N.C. Dr. C. E. Jenner, Dept. of Zoology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. Scientific References: Kohlmeyer, J. (1977) New records of angiosperm and terrestrial fungi from Carteret County, North Carolina. Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 92: 27-30. - 242 - Table la. Rare and Endangered Animals of Wildberry Woods „ No. NC Scientific Name Pandion haliaetus Common Name Osprey Status Sites Habitat SC 64 Breeds near open water commonly in salt . . and fresh water. I Table lb. Rare and Endangered Plants of Wildberry Woods ;iGntiCic Name Common Name .-,*No. NC Status^ Sites Habitat liiiLLSil:' muscipula Sarracenia rubra Venus' flytrap TE Sweet pitcher plant TT 90 Wet, sandv ditches, savannahs and open bog margins. 52 Shrub bogs and savannahs. * These plants are no longer listed as threatened or endangered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection Program. ■) "Taken from Cooper, J. E. , S. S. Robinson, and J. i'. Fuiiderborg (Eds.). 1977. Endangered and Threatened Platns and Animals of North. Carolina. N. C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N. C. 444 pages +i-v:vi, f-^xplaiMtion of Status Catc:Rories Plants EE - Endangered Endemic ED - Endangered Disjunct EP - ETidangered Peripheral ET - Endangered Throughout An ima 1 s TE - Threatened Endemic TD - Threatened Disjunct TP - Threatened Peripheral TT - Threatened Throughout E - Endangered T - Threatened SC - Special Concern UD ~ Undetermiend Number of recorded occurrences of species in state known by the Natural Heritage Program as of July 1979. CEIP PUBLICATIONS 1. Hauser, E. W. , P. D. Cribbins, P. T. TsctieLLpr, /iii.l R. I). l„iHn. C.i.islnl Energy Transportation Needs to Support Major Kiiorpy Prcijeits in North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report //I. Septemlnr 1981 $10. 2. P. D. Cribbins. A Study of OCS Onshore Support Rases .iml Con I Kxpiirl Terminals. CEIP Report #2 . September 1981 . $10. (NTIS # I'RR2-2n2'll2) 3. Tschetter, P. T. , M. Fisch, and R. D. Latta. An Asspssmrnl nf I'ni ciii i ;i I Impacts of Energy-Related Transportation Developments on Nortti C.t rnl i ii.t ' s Coastal Zone. CEIP Report #3. July 1981. $10. (NTIR II PR8T-2()W^2) A. Cribbins, P. S. An Analysis of State and Federal I'ol i cies Al f cc i I he M.n jnr Energy Projects in North Carolina's Coastal Zcme . CF. 1 1' Rifi'iil II 'i . September 1981. $10. (NTIS # PB82-202920) 5. Brower, David, W. D. McElyea, D. R. Godsrhalk, .in. I N. U. I.i.hir.. iiiilfr Continental Shelf Development and the North Caiolina Coast: A Cuidc fnr Local Planners. CEIP Report //5 . August 19R1. $10. (NTIS // PIIR2- I ')f, lOA ) 6. Rogers, Golden and Halpern, Inc., and Engineers (or Energy .ind t lir Environment, Inc. Mitigating the Impacts of Energy Facilities: A l.niiij Air Quality Program for the Wilmington, N. C. Area. CEIP Report //f. . September 1981. $10. (NTIS # PB82-197872) 7. Richardson, C. J. (editor). Pocosin Wetlands; .in Integrated An.ilysi.s of Coastal Plain Freshwater Bogs in North Carolina. Stroudshurg (I'.i): Hutchinson Ross. 1981. 364 pp. $25. Available from School of Forestry, Duke University, Durham, N. C. 27709. (This proceedings volume is for a conference partially funded by N. C. CEIP.) 8. McDonald, C. B. and A. N. Ash. Natural Areas Inventory of Tyrrell County, North Carolina. CEIP Report IIS. October 1981. $10. (NTIS // PUR !-2n')072 ) 9. Fussell, J. 0., Ill, and E. J. Wilson. Natural Aic.is Inventory of Initiret County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #9. June l9Ri. $10. 10. Nyfong, T. D. Natural Areas Inventory of Rrunswiik County, North (.imlina. CEIP Report #10. October 1981. $10. ' (NTIS II PBRi-23A039) 11. Leonard, S. W. , and R. J. Davis. Natural Areas Inventory for I'ender County, North Carolina. CEIP Report //U. October 1981. $10. (NTIS // PB83-209106) 12. Cribbins, Paul D. , and R. Daniel Latta. Coast.il Energy Transportation Study: Alternative Technologies for Transporting and llamlling Export Coal. CEIP Report #12. Jatruary 1982. $10. (NTIS // l'H83-203067 ) 13. Creveling, Kenneth. Beach Communities and Oil Spills: Environmental .ind Economic Consequences for Brunswick County, N. C. CEIP Report //I3. May 1982. $10. (NTIS # PB83-209064) 14. Rogers, Golden and Halpern, Inc., and Engineers for Energy and the Environment. The Design of a Planning Program Lo Help Mitigate Energy Facility-Related Air Quality Impacts in the Washington County North Carolina Area. CEIP Report # 14. September 1982. $10. (NTIS // l'R83- 234021) 15. McDonald C. B. , A. N. Ash, and John Fussell. Natural Areas Inventory of Craven County, North Carolina. CEIP Report //l."). December 1981. $10. (NTIS it PB83-234021) 16. Frost, Cecil C. Natural Areas Inventory of Gates County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #16. April 1982. $10. (NTIS # PB83-209098) 17. Stone, John R., Michael T. Stanley, and Paul T. Tschetter. Co.islal Lnrrgy Transportation Study: Impacts of Increased Rail Traffic on Communities in Eastern North Carolina. CEIP Report # 17. August 1982. $10. tNTlS // PB83-203075) 18. Kazarian, Jacqueline S. Newport River Estuary Dye Study: An Analysis of Water Movement. CEIP Report # 18. March 1983. $10.00. 3/8A CEIP PUBLICATIONS 19. Pate, Preston P., and Robert Jones. Effects of llplan