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WA <br />Eno River Yv arershed <br />Inventory of Significant Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats <br />Orange County, NC <br />Orange County Natural Areas Inventory <br />MIDDLE ENO RIVER BLUFFS AND SLOPES <br />Site Number: E13 Size: 396 acres in Orange County <br />[614 acres in Durham County] <br />Site Significance: State USGS Quads: Hillsborough, NW Durham <br />SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Several state- listed species are present here, including <br />ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, which is possibly extirpated from this site), Neuse River <br />waterdog (Necturus lewisi), and Roanoke bass (Ambloplites cavifrons). Catawba <br />rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), galax <br />(Galax aphylla), sumo. mite (Allothrombium sp.), and pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus <br />pileatus) are all regionally rare species occurring in this section of the state park. <br />NATURAL CONEVIUNITIES: Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont Acidic Cliff, <br />Piedmont Heath Bluff, Pine —Oak / Heath, Piedmont .Alluvial Forest <br />GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Originally known as "ERSP Cabelands and Rhododendron <br />Bluff' (1988 inventory), the site was later expanded and renamed by the NC Natural <br />Heritage Program. Several different habitats are found along the nearly two -mile stretch of <br />the site in Orange County: At the driest extreme is a community of Virginia pine (Pinus <br />virginiana), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), galax <br />(Galax aphylla), and trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) growing on a steep, <br />80 -foot bluff near <br />the reservoir near the western boundary of this natural area. On gentler, less- exposed slopes <br />occur mixed mesic hardwoods, such as beech (Fagus grandifolia), red oak (Quercus rubra), <br />bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), and tulip poplar (Lirioden, drop tulipifera). At the <br />bottom'of these slopes, the herbaceous layer is very rich, as evidenced by the presence of <br />maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), and bloodroot <br />(Sanguinaria canadensis). Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was reported from this area as <br />late as 1972, but now appears to be extirpated from the Cabelands. <br />Another mesic community, a catawba rhododendron bluff on a steep northwest - facing slope, <br />is located about one -half mile downstream from the area traditionally recognized as the <br />Cabelands. Beech (Fagus grandifolia) and white oak (Quercus alba) form the canopy of this <br />community. In addition to the three relatively undisturbed communities just described, there <br />exists a mosaic of successional forest stands as a result of historic cultivation of the <br />Cabelands. Black et al. (1972) mapped the forest stands of this area and listed over 110 <br />vascular plant species that are present. <br />Along the mesic north - facing slopes are found the sumo mite (Allothrombium sp.), slimy <br />salamander (Plethodon glutinosus), ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), hooded warbler <br />(Wilsonia citrina), and scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea). The bottomlands, although <br />narrow and somewhat disturbed, contain a large oxbow pool, which is the breeding site for <br />spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), marbled salamander (A. opacum), and several <br />frog species. Birds inhabiting the bottomland and riparian strip include the barred owl (Strix <br />varia), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), <br />113 <br />