This 1 hectare plot presents a complex habitat and is suitable for numerous species of breeding birds, amphibians, and mammals. The plot consists of a stream which runs north south through a narrow valley flanked to the east and west by mixed Conifer and Northern Hardwood Forests. The floodplain of the stream supports thickets of raspberry and blackberry which provide foraging grounds for birds and cover for small mammals. The forests on either size of the valley provide high perches for birds.
The stream provides suitable habitat for a variety of amphibians such as salamanders and frogs. Mammals are also attracted to the stream for water as well as to hunt and forage. Mammals likely to be seen in this area include gray squirrel, mice, raccoon, and white-tailed deer.
A few notable species which may be found on this site:
- Pileated woodpecker
The pileated woodpecker is large insectivore which can be found breeding in mature forests throughout much of the United States and Canada. They forage for insects within the trunks of trees and nest in cavities which they bore into large dead trees. The presence of mature, large diameter trees on this plot suggests that it is likely to find pileated woodpeckers on this site.
- Red-backed Salamander
Red-backed salamander inhabits forested upland areas in the eastern United States and Canada. Woodland salamanders reproduce under logs and rocks, not requiring an aquatic larval stage. The presence of large downed woody material and a moist microclimate indicates that red-backed salamanders can be found here.
- Scarlet Tanager
The scarlet tanager is a migratory songbird common to the eastern United States. They winter in northern South America and breed in deciduous and mixed coniferous deciduous forests of the eastern United States. Scarlet tanagers feed upon insects and spiders in the branches of trees. Scarlet Tanagers are impacted by forest fragmentation and are less likely to be found in suburban areas. Due to the large area of unfragmented forest in NBSP, scarlet tanagers are likely to be found at this site.
- Porcupine
Porcupines are large nocturnal herbivorous rodents covered in defensive spines. They will forage on leaves, twigs, and bark. Porcupines inhabit forests and will seek shelter in rocky outcrops and dens. The presence of large trees on the site and its proximity to rocky ledges suggests that this is suitable habitat for porcupine.
- Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys are large ground dwelling birds native to North America. They are often found in hardwood forests with interspersed openings. Wild turkey feed on acorns, nuts, insects, buds, and salamander. The presence of foraging stock for turkeys as well as nearby open land and swampland indicates that this site may support a wild turkey population.
-White-tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are found in much of the United States and Central America. In New England they are found in forested regions in both rural and suburban landscapes. The decreased presence of predators in areas of human development as well as rich foraging grounds supports larger deer populations. The presence of water on this site as well as a rich floodplain may draw white-tailed deer to this site.
-Fisher
Fishers are omnivorous mammals, similar to the weasel, native to the forests of Canada and northern United States. They prefer old growth forest habitat with dense forest cover and without forest disturbance. Fishers will hunt small mammals such as snowshoe hare and porcupine as well as forage fruits, fungi, and insects.
Animals possible to be found in this plot-
Birds:
American Goldfinch
Great Blue Heron
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Coopers Hawk
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Yellow- Throated Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-Rumped warbler
Pine warbler
Black-and-white warbler
American redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common yellowthroat
Scarlet tanager
Northern cardinal
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Indigo bunting
Chipping sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-Throated sparrow
Dark-Eyed Junco
Red-Winged Blackbird
Common grackle
Brown-headed cowbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Turkey Vulture
Red-Tailed Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey
American Woodcock
Mourning Dove
Black-Billed Cuckoo
Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Common Nighthawk
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Tree Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-Capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-Brested Nuthatch
White-Brested Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Mammals:
Virginia Opossum
Masked Shrew
Water Shrew
Long-Tailed Shrew
Smokey Shrew
Pygmy Shrew
Hairy-Tailed Shrew
Eastern Pipistrelle
Eastern Cottontail
New England Cottontail
Eastern Chipmunk
Red Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Deer Mouse
White-Footed Mouse
Southern Red-Backed Vole
Woodland Vole
Meadow Vole
Northern Bog Lemming
Woodland Jumping Mouse
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Porcupine
Gray Fox
Marten
Fisher
Ermine
Long-Tailed Weasel
Mink
Striped Skunk
White-Tailed Deer
Beaver
Woodchuck
Silver-Haired Bat
Red Bat
Hoary Bat
Snowshoe Hare
Gray Squirrel
Amphibians:
Marbled Salamander
Jefferson Salamander
Silvery Salamander
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Tremblays Salamander
Spotted Salamander
Red-Spotted Newt
Mountain Dusky Salamander
Redback Salamander
Slimy Salamander
Four-Toed Salamander
Eastern Spadefoot
Wood Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Stinkpot
Spotted Turtle
Map Turtle
Red-Eared Slider
Plymouth Redbelly Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Midland Painted Turtle
Blanding’s Turtle
Eastern Spiny Softshell
Five-Lined Skink
Northern Water Snake
Northern Redbelly Snake
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Northern Ringneck Snake
Northern Black Racer
Eastern Smooth Green Snake
Black Rat Snake
Eastern Milk Snake
Northern Copperhead
