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Inventory of Significant Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats New Hope Creek Watershed
Orange County, NC
20 7
Orange County Natural Areas Inventory
BALD MOUNTAIN
Site Number: N01 Size: 140 acres
Site Significance: State USGS Quad: Chapel Hill
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The hardwood slopes within this site feature one of the most
mature chestnut oak forests in the county and the only monadnock without any sort of
development on its upper slopes and summit. Large hollowed- out stumps of chestnut oak,
now extremely rare due to a long history of lumbering, provide traditional nesting sites for
turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura). Scenic features include both the rock formations on the
summit and the unbroken ridgeline as seen from the surrounding countryside.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont Monadnock Forest
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The 2004 update to the inventory changes the site name from
“ Bald Mountain Hardwood Slopes” to conform to the NC Natural Heritage Program.
Bald Mountain is one of a series of monadnocks that run northeast through the southwestern
part of the county. The summit rises more than 200 feet above the surrounding terrain due to
the resistant nature of the underlying bedrock. Documented rock types include rhyolite
flows, slate, diorite, and tonalite ( Gibbon, 1966). The large outcrops of igneous rocks are an
interesting scenic feature of this monadnock, particularly a series of boulders shaped like
dolphin fins located on the northwest slope.
The forest cover on the crown is composed almost completely of chestnut oak ( Quercus
prinus), with scattered presence of other upland oaks such as scarlet oak ( Q. coccinea), black
oak ( Q. velutina), and white oak ( Q. alba). The low heath cover here is sparse but the
viburnum thickets are well developed, especially on the slopes below the crown of the hill.
Due to the relatively dry nature of the ridgetop, several species of open- forest birds nest
there, including the northern flicker ( Colaptes auratus), great crested flycatcher ( Myiarchus
crinitus), white- breasted nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis), and summer tanager ( Piranga rubra).
Other noteworthy breeding species include the pileated woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus)
and hairy woodpecker ( Picoides villosus), both of which are characteristic of large tracts of
mature hardwoods, and the hooded warbler ( Wilsonia citrina), which in upland situations is
strongly associated with viburnum thickets.
MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: This site is part of Duke Forest multiple use lands
located within the Rural Buffer zoning district. A small portion on private land on west end
of the mountain is unprotected, but the new landowners ( 2003) were informed by Orange
County ERCD of the importance of protecting the natural area. Forestry management
practices should take into consideration the value this site has as a natural area. The site
should be registered with the NC Natural Heritage Program or dedicated as a state nature
preserve.
OWNERSHIP: Duke University; Private
Object Description
Description
| Title | Inventory of natural areas and wildlife habitats for Orange County, North Carolina - Page 217 |
| Full Text | Inventory of Significant Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats New Hope Creek Watershed Orange County, NC 20 7 Orange County Natural Areas Inventory BALD MOUNTAIN Site Number: N01 Size: 140 acres Site Significance: State USGS Quad: Chapel Hill SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The hardwood slopes within this site feature one of the most mature chestnut oak forests in the county and the only monadnock without any sort of development on its upper slopes and summit. Large hollowed- out stumps of chestnut oak, now extremely rare due to a long history of lumbering, provide traditional nesting sites for turkey vultures ( Cathartes aura). Scenic features include both the rock formations on the summit and the unbroken ridgeline as seen from the surrounding countryside. NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont Monadnock Forest GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The 2004 update to the inventory changes the site name from “ Bald Mountain Hardwood Slopes” to conform to the NC Natural Heritage Program. Bald Mountain is one of a series of monadnocks that run northeast through the southwestern part of the county. The summit rises more than 200 feet above the surrounding terrain due to the resistant nature of the underlying bedrock. Documented rock types include rhyolite flows, slate, diorite, and tonalite ( Gibbon, 1966). The large outcrops of igneous rocks are an interesting scenic feature of this monadnock, particularly a series of boulders shaped like dolphin fins located on the northwest slope. The forest cover on the crown is composed almost completely of chestnut oak ( Quercus prinus), with scattered presence of other upland oaks such as scarlet oak ( Q. coccinea), black oak ( Q. velutina), and white oak ( Q. alba). The low heath cover here is sparse but the viburnum thickets are well developed, especially on the slopes below the crown of the hill. Due to the relatively dry nature of the ridgetop, several species of open- forest birds nest there, including the northern flicker ( Colaptes auratus), great crested flycatcher ( Myiarchus crinitus), white- breasted nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis), and summer tanager ( Piranga rubra). Other noteworthy breeding species include the pileated woodpecker ( Dryocopus pileatus) and hairy woodpecker ( Picoides villosus), both of which are characteristic of large tracts of mature hardwoods, and the hooded warbler ( Wilsonia citrina), which in upland situations is strongly associated with viburnum thickets. MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: This site is part of Duke Forest multiple use lands located within the Rural Buffer zoning district. A small portion on private land on west end of the mountain is unprotected, but the new landowners ( 2003) were informed by Orange County ERCD of the importance of protecting the natural area. Forestry management practices should take into consideration the value this site has as a natural area. The site should be registered with the NC Natural Heritage Program or dedicated as a state nature preserve. OWNERSHIP: Duke University; Private |
