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011 SITE DESCRIPTION Little River Gorge/Little River A uatic Habitat along the slopes , still more species should be expected to occur here . One of these , the regionally-rare worm eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) , may in fact have been heard on this visit , but was not confirmed . This species is extremely scarce as a nesting species in the Piedmont , where it occurs particularly in association with steep , north-facing slopes covered with mountain laurel , an excellent example of which occurs on the city-owned land bordering the reservoir . Another regionally-rare species associated with steep slopes , the broad -winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) , is commonly seen just upstream along the Little River (Tom Krakauer , Museum of Life and Sciences , pers . comm . ) and should also be looked for as a nesting species within the gorge . Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is also frequently seen in this area (Jane Korest , pers . comm . ; Tom Krakauer , pers . comm . ) . This species is associated with fairly large tracts of undeveloped habitat , which occur both along the steep slopes of the gorge and nearby tracts of fairly hilly terrain (a part of which was identified as the Little River Uplands by Sutter , 1987) . Other wide-ranging species associated with extensive forests have also been reported along the upper reaches of the Little River , including barred owls (Stria varia) , pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) , and possibly long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) " . Black vulture ( Coragyps atratus) , state Special Concern , and striped skunk (Mephitus mephitus) , which is generally rare within the Triangle region , are also frequent within this area , but are associated more with the rural landscape than with the extensive woodlands . PROTECTION STATUS AND THREATS : The slopes above the Little River Reservoir are protected from development through ownership by the City of Durham , but only to the top of the steep bluffs (a house is located immediately adjacent to the city property line on top of the south slope above the lake) . The rest of this area , including the entire gorge upstream from the lake , is privately owned and subject either to development or timbering . New homes are , in fact , being constructed throughout this region , although upstream from the reservoir , zoning is used to protect the watershed and limits density to one dwelling unit per two acres (J . Korest , pers . comm . ) . The corridor function of the Little River is also being affected by downstream developments . US 501 and adjoining developed areas around Orange Factory already present a significant obstacle separating the upland areas above the Little River Reservoir from the extensive gamelands located along the confluence of the Little and Eno Rivers . The reservoir also restrict overland movements along this section and is a virtually absolute barrier to fish and many other aquatic species . Even more important , at least potentially , the Treyburn development embraces the Little River for approximately one mile between the Little River Reservoir dam and the Falls of the Neuse Gamelands . The intensive development planned for this tract may virtually sever any linkage between the upper and lower wildlife habitats along the Little River , 17 Tom Krakauer has observed roa&killed weasels along Guess Road in this vicinity ; they could , however , have been mink , which should be fairly common in this area . 215