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23 <br /> The authors note that"extensive,good quality wood- <br /> '' ' land tracts such as those in the Little River Uplands are <br /> almost gone in the county.This area is large enough for <br /> i excellent wildlife habitat: The presence of otter, bea- <br /> ver,and red-bellied water snakes within the Little River <br /> Corridor,all of which,according to the report, moved <br /> up from the Eno River Valley,indicates that the corri- <br /> `- dor is still negotiable by at least semi-aquatic species. <br /> 1 The report also notes that black vultures,state listed as <br /> Special Concern,and striped skunks,a regionally rare <br /> species,are also frequently observed along the upper <br /> k reach of the Little River.Other wide <br /> A9 ranging species associated with <br /> fairly large tracts of undeveloped <br /> habitat that were noted within this <br /> area of the Little River Corridor <br /> -' including wild turkey, barred owls, <br /> pileated woodpeckers, black vul- <br /> ture,striped skunk,and long-tailed <br /> 4 weasels. `., ... <br /> Since 2004 park staff has kept lists of all species ob- <br /> served and identified in Little River Park.To date,they <br /> have documented 99 bird species (a third are consid- <br /> ered migratory),44 moth and butterfly species,30 <br /> reptiles and amphibians, 13 spiders,49 insects,3 mush- <br /> IM -Cl and 15 mammals(not including bats).A much <br /> ° 9' P1 44 larger, more-detailed list of the park flora was created <br /> L. a <br /> Figure 4 by park staff early in the development stage of the park <br /> Plant Communities and has been augmented over the years with assistance <br /> from knowledgeable members of the public.These <br /> lists, however,are not complete.There are numerous <br /> Wildlife sightings and observations that could not be identified <br /> The Orange and Durham county natural heritage (especially insect species).There is no staff-maintained <br /> inventories compiled an extensive list of the wildlife list of freshwater invertebrates although numerous <br /> observed along the length of the Little River Corridor. decapods,whirligig beetles(Gyrinus natator),damselfly <br /> These reports list several significant findings regarding (Zygoptera spp.)and other unidentified species have <br /> important aquatic species, including populations of been observed. <br /> three freshwater mussels listed by the state as threat- The use of the motion cameras has proved to be <br /> ened: the triangle floater,the squawfoot,and the extremely valuable documenting nocturnal wildlife <br /> notched rainbow.Two other freshwater populations species such as striped skunk,opossum and raccoon. <br /> listed as threatened and candidates for federal listing Species such as beaver,deer and coyote have also been <br /> were observed:the yellow lampmussel and the Atlantic captured during daylight hours along the North Fork <br /> pigtoe.The Orange County inventory notes populations Little River.Some species of note captured are river <br /> of pinewoods shiner(state significant)and Eastern otter and bobcat,the latter on just one occasion.The <br /> lamp mussel (state threatened) in stretches of the North use of this technology by future studies and programs <br /> Fork Little River upstream from the park.The Durham can aid in the identification of additional species in <br /> County report also recorded 36 species of fish within the park. Further studies and programs will additional <br /> the Little River,including eight species that are indica- species. <br /> tors of high-quality waters. <br /> October 2021 11 <br />