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ORANGE COUNTY NATURAL AREAS SURVEY. SITE DESCRIPTION. <br />Site name: Lower Cane Creek Slopes and Bottom <br />Site number: CO3 <br />Significance: 3 - County High Integrity: 1 - Prime <br />Threat status: 4 - Slight <br />Location: South of NC 54 along Cane Creek. <br />USGS Quad: White Cross and Saxapahaw <br />Approx. acreage: 140 <br />Jurisdiction: Bingham Township <br />Reasons for significance: Although the plant communities along <br />this section of Cane Creek are mostly in young second growth, <br />there are several important animal species here, including the <br />state - listed notched rainbow mussel (Villosa constricta) and the <br />regionally -rare otter (Lutra canadensis). A large roost of black <br />vultures (Coragyps atratus) was also observed in the forest next <br />to the creek; this species is considered threatened state -wide, <br />and the only known roosting population of this species in Orange_ <br />County occurs in the Cane Creek valley, both here and upstream <br />near the reservoir (C01). This is one of the most important <br />wildlife corridors within Orange County, due to its connection to <br />the Haw River and Cape Fear system. The water quality in Cane <br />Creek is excellent, and supports one.of the best remaining fish <br />and mussel faunas in the Piedmont. <br />General description: This site includes three types of habitats: <br />a riparian strip; a steep, dry west - facing bluff; and mesic <br />slopes with a more sheltered, gentler aspect. The most unique of <br />these botanically is a dry, 30 foot bluff of felsic volcanic tuff <br />supporting a stunted forest composed vainly of beeches Qgaus <br />arandifolia) and white oaks ( uercus zlba). This is the driest <br />situation where the usually mesic beech is found. Other species <br />here include red maple (Ater rubrum), dogwood (Corpus flor-lda), <br />and red cedar (Juniperu5 virginiana). The most abundant hems <br />are beechdrops (Erifaaus vir iniana), woodrush (Luzula <br />acuminata), hepatica ( Hepatica americana), and Christmas fern <br />(Pol.vstichum acrostichoides). One interesting zoological feature <br />is a large den, possibly of a groundhog (Marmota monax) or for. <br />(yulnes vulnes or Urocvon cinereoaraenteus). <br />Contiguous with this bluff is a large forested area covering <br />the gentle slopes and ravines which rise approximately two <br />hundred feet in elevation from the creek. Parts of this forest <br />are disturbed, but the section downstream from the bluff is a <br />particularly good example of mixed mesic hardwoods. Rich mesic <br />herbs are abundant here, including bloodroot (Sancuinaria <br />canadensis), trout lily Qrythronium americanum), spring beauty <br />(Clavtonia virginity), toothwort (Cardamine anaustata), hepatica <br />(Hepatica americana), trillium (Trillium catesbaei), and <br />extensive colonies of wild ginger (Asarum canadensis). Upland <br />animals seen here in addition to the groundhog are red - tailed <br />hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), yellow - throated vireos (vireo <br />45 <br />