Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve (Wake County, NC)

Overview: Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, a 23-acre Triangle Land Conservancy property with a 1-mile trail that connects to the Birkhaven Greenway, conserves a floodplain forest community that is teeming with life. In spring, visitors to the nature preserve can discover a variety of ephemeral wildflowers, herps and birds hiding in the hardwood bottomlands.


Directions: Please visit the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) website for complete directions.


Observations & Ponderings: The TLC brochure at the entrance to this delightful urban oasis boldly proclaimed that visitors could encounter "a medley of wildflowers" in spring, territorial green anoles that bob their heads and inflate their red throat sacks, and a host of birds including the tiny ruby-crowned kinglet that is featured in a gorgeous photograph. To be honest, I had my doubts; but after spending a few hours hiking the 1-mile trail system, I was a believer!

From Triangle Naturalist

Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

The first thing that impresses a spring visitor to Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve is the startling density of spring ephemerals. The fertile floodplain was covered by a carpet of spring beauties (Claytonia virginica), interspersed with trout lilies (Erythronium umbillicatum), cutleaf toothworts (Cardamine concatenata) and delicate, trembling bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis). Yes, a veritable "medley of wildflowers" thriving on high north facing bluffs and in rich floodplain soil.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Mark W. Cagle)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Mark W. Cagle)

Trout lily (Erythronium umbillicatum), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Mark W. Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Viola spp, Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

With my senses overwhelmed by this ephemeral display, at first I hardly noticed the auditory assault of southeastern chorus frogs, vireos and woodpeckers. Then I heard a red-tailed hawk overhead, next a red-shouldered hawk -- I looked up and high above the preserve both of these magnificent buteos soared, goading eachother to go higher and higher. Then a tiny flash of olive-yellow flitted past, it stopped for a moment in the greenbriers (Smilax spp.): a ruby crowned kinglet! Again, the brochure lived up to its promise.

The trail along Swift Creek continued, with every bend yielding more colorful flowers and birds. Eventually, we made our way back toward the parking lot, taking the trail through the "overcup oak swamp." This area of the preserve was truly enchanted, with overcup oaks towering above. Here, we even found the first snake of the season, a small northern brown snake (Storeria dekayi). And the surprises weren't over: on the log, right before we reached the gravel parking lot, was a male green anole bobbing his head and inflating his red sack. Again, Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve kept its word!

From Triangle Naturalist

Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) leaves, Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Northern brown snake (Storeria deyaki), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Northern brown snake (Storeria deyaki), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

From Triangle Naturalist

Green anole (Anolis caroliniensis), Swift Creek Bluffs Preserve, Wake County, NC, 22 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle)

Eno River State Park (Few's Ford Access): Cox Mountain Trail

Overview: Eno River State Park hosts a number of easy to moderate trails, and a few more difficult ones, for the weekend hiker. If you're looking for a challenging hike in a variety of Piedmont habitats, try the Cox Mountain Trail. This 3.75 mile trail begins at the Few's Ford picnic area and quickly takes you down to the Eno River, where you will cross the suspension bridge. Follow the signs for Cox Mountain trail, and you will begin to ascend Cox Mountain itself (there is a 270 foot elevation change from the river to the top of Cox Mountain). Once you reach the top of the mountain, you will walk along a small creek and then the Eno River, before heading back towards the suspension bridge.

Directions: The park is divided into five access points. The Cox Mountain Trail is found at the Few's Ford access, located just at the northern end of Cole Mill Road (maps & directions here).


Observations & Ponderings: Walking along the Cox Mountain trail in early March offers even the casual observer an addictive taste of the wonders of the natural world. In early spring, some of the most beautiful flowers of the year burst forth from the cold earth, bedecking the brown leaf litter with snowy white, gold and amethystine accents. These spring ephemerals, which seem to disappear before the heat of summer arrives, include trout lilies (Erythronium americanum), spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) and round-lobed hepatica (Hepatica americana).

Round lobed hepatica (Hepatica americana) at Eno River State Park, Cox Mountain trail, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) at Eno River State Park, Cox Mountain trail, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

After crossing the suspension bridge that spans the Eno River, and walking along a well-worn path, a brown sign indicates the turn-off for the Cox Mountain trail. Here begins the steep climb to the top of the mountain. The ground is noticably rockier and drier, and fallen trees are strewn across the ridge, toppled by hurricane winds. Even the fauna changes: instead of ground skinks, one might see an eastern fence lizard (Scleroporus undulatus) basking in the harsh sun on this hilltop.

Cox Mountain trail at Eno River State Park, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

Eastern fence lizard (Scleroporus undulatus) at Eno River State Park, Cox Mountain trail, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

Here, I take a moment to enjoy the stunning views of rolling hills that remind us that we are truly in the Piedmont, the foothills of Appalachia. My mind wanders. What intrepid travelers first saw these same views? Had the Eno indians climbed this same mountain? Did the explorer-naturalist Bartram pass this way? Maybe the Cox family was the first to explore the great hill. Or, perhaps, I am the first to ever see these sights. I would love to re-live that moment, when the first man or woman stood on this ridge. What did they see? How have things changed? Were there more northern red oaks then? Was the soil richer? How many lizards were startled by their arrival? Did they see elk browsing in the distance or maybe a bear snacking on sun-ripened berries?

A snapping twig break the reverie, and I continue down the trail. Here, the trail runs first along a small creek that was recently bifurcated by a fallen tree limb and now trickles down the trail as well. The creek runs into the rocky Eno River and suddenly, the din of calling chorus frogs fills the air.

View of the Eno River along the Cox Mountain trail at Eno River State Park, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle).

Three shallow, ephemeral pools line the trail here, providing breeding habitat for frogs and toads. The evidence of these midnight rendezvous is apparent: gelatinous green frog (Rana clamitans) eggs stuck to twigs beneath the water's surface.

Green frog (Rana clamitans) eggs at Eno River State Park, Cox Mountain trail, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

The trail continues, looping around the base of the mountain, marching pass enchanting painted buckeyes (Aesculus sylvatica), about to burst open, until finally bringing you back to the suspension bridge, back to the lovely spring ephemerals and then back to the concrete world.

Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) at Eno River State Park, Cox Mountain trail, 8 Mar 2009 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: March in the Piedmont - Fauna

Birds.− As spring arrives in the Piedmont this month, we begin to see some profound changes in the composition of our avifauna. Wood-ducks, blue-winged teals (local breeders), double-crested cormorants and ospreys become more abundant. Also expect to begin seeing vireos, ruby-throated hummingbirds, purple martins and other swallow species this month. Lucky observers may even catch sight of a snowy egret, little blue heron, Mississippi kite, blue grosbeak, indigo bunting or some sandpiper species and early warblers (e.g., black-and-white, prothonotary, yellow-throated, blue-winged, Tennessee). However, don’t expect to catch any more rare sightings of snow geese or mute swans.



Butterflies.− This month, butterfly watchers may begin to find hairstreaks (including the red-banded, gray, juniper, and great purple) and swallowtails (e.g., black and eastern tiger). If you want to find zebra swallowtails, be sure to look in the right sort of habitat: breeding takes place in rich, moist woodlands often near rivers and swamplands. In fact, zebra swallowtail larvae will only feed on paw-paw (Asimina spp.), although adults may fly out to the forest edge to enjoy nectar from a variety of sources including milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis).

Lucky observers may find Henry’s elfins and eastern pine elfins, while definitely spotting a lot more cabbage whites, sulphurs, spring azures, question marks, eastern commas and mourning cloaks. Towards the end of the month, keep your eyes open for sleeper, Juvenal’s and Horace’s duskywings, adults of which are often seen perched on bare ground, including dirt roads and trails, where they glean minerals.

Reptiles & Amphibians.− This month, expect to continue hearing southeastern chorus frogs, spring peepers, northern cricket frogs, American toads, pickerel frogs and eastern spadefoots. Fowler’s toads, bullfrogs and green frogs will start calling this month, but don’t expect large choruses until April. Continue to look for breeding salamanders. Also, be on the lookout for basking yellow-bellied sliders and the occasional black-rat snake or racer.

Eno River State Park, Cole Mill Access - Cole Mill Trail (Durham, NC)

Overview: Eno River State Park, a much beloved destination for Durham families, hosts a number of easy to moderate trails for the weekend hiker. If you're looking for an easy hike with spectacular views, try the Cole Mill Trail. This 1.2 mile trail follows the Eno River and then loops to the parking lot through upland forest.

Directions: The park is divided into five access points. The Cole Mill Trail (and the connecting Bobbitt's Hole Trail) is found at the Cole Mill access, located just north of Sparger Road off of Cole Mill Road (maps & directions here).

Observations & Ponderings: Eno River State Park, well-known among the Triangle's many outdoor enthusiasts, never ceases to offer new insight into Piedmont ecology and history. As you walk along the Cole Mill Trail, look across the river to view beautiful laurel covered bluffs.

View from Cole Mill Trail, Eno River SP - Cole Mill Access, February 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

View of laurel covered bluffs from Cole Mill Trail, Eno River SP - Cole Mill Access, February 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

The Cole Mill trail also is home to a number of different tree and shrub species, including the American bladdernut, with its distinctive three-sectioned seed pod. The American bladdernut is a native shrub or small tree reaching up to 12 feet in height that is most often found in bottomlands, along river banks. In mid to late spring, the bladdernut sports tiny, white bell-shaped flowers. This plant, found across eastern North America, is endangered in Florida and threatened in New Hampshire.

Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) on the Cole Mill Trail, Eno River SP - Cole Mill Access, February 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

If you plan on exploring the Cole Mill trail with young kids, check out the sycamore stump. What animals could be hiding in there? Also, you can make this hike into a full day activity by continuing on the Bobbitt's Hole trail, which takes you to a popular swimming hole in the Eno River.

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) stump on the Cole Mill Trail, Eno River SP - Cole Mill Access, February 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)


Hill covered with American holly (Ilex opaca) on the Cole Mill Trail, Eno River SP - Cole Mill Access, February 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

Carnivore Preservation Trust (Pittsboro, NC)

Overview: The Carnivore Preservation Trust, located in Pittsboro, North Carolina, seeks to provide a refuge and sanctuary for mistreated or unwanted carnivores. For a $10 fee, visitors can tour the 55-acre refuge and learn about tigers, caricals, ocelots and a number of other members in the taxonomic order Carnivora (all members of this order have carnassial teeth, but not all members are carnivorous, i.e., meat eaters). Reservations are required.

Directions: The Carnivore Preservation Trust, located south of Chapel Hill, can be a bit tricky to get to (don't rely on Google maps for this). Detailed directions can be found here.

Observations & Ponderings: My family and I visited the Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT) on Sunday, January 11, 2009 for the second time. After signing release forms, a friendly guide explained that the trust was originally founded by Dr. Michael Bleyman, who wanted to ensure the survival of keystone species from threatened ecosystems. Dr. Bleyman originally started a breeding program for caracals, servals, ocelots, and binturongs. This breeding program is no longer in place, and CPT now functions solely as a carnivore sanctuary.

After the brief introduction, we followed our guide onto the grounds of CPT where animals are kept in well-maintained habitats, often with heated sleep boxes, delineated by chain-linked fencing. We were first introduced to the caracals (a word meaning "black ears" in Turkish), a sand-colored, medium-sized cat with tufted black ears that is found mostly in the dry steppes and dry habitats of Africa and the Middle East.

Next, we met the the servals (Leptailurus serval) of Africa. These medium-sized cats are tawny and dotted with black spots. They also have a pair of white spots on the back of their ears, which allow servals to lead their young through the tall savanna grass. Interestingly, this cat can consume up to 4,000 rodents each year.

The CPT is home to a number of large tigers (Panthera tigris) of diverse origin: two were collected from the side of the road in North Carolina, others were once kept as pets and some used to be in zoos or the circus. According to our guide, there are currently more tigers in captivity in the state of Texas than exist in the wild. Tigers are found in Asia and prefer dense cover (e.g., forests) close to water. The tigers at the CPT had a variety of temperments; some were curious, others simply hungry for a chicken-leg snack and some seemed to seek out the special pleasure of marking visitors with a misty cloud of urine!

The last carnivore that we met was the binturong (Arctictis binturong), a nocturnal omnivore found in the rainforest canopies of southeast Asia. The binturong is especially significant, as it is "the only known animal with digestive enzymes capable of softening the seed coat of strangler fig", thus making it critical to the dispersal of strangler figs, an important rainforest plant (see: "Meet the animals- Binturong". Carnivore Preservation Trust). The binturong at CPT seemed amicable and enjoyed the banana bits offered by the guide, but they can be quite vicious when cornered.

FEBRUARY WILDLIFE: Woodcocks

Woodcocks (Scolopax minor), cryptic, stocky woodland birds with long pointed bills made for picking out small invertebrates, are out and about this February. This time of year, they can be found in open wooded areas (e.g., Mason Farm, Butner Game Lands near the end of Brick House Road) making a scene with their whimsical mating displays. Male woodcocks will fly high into the air and spiral back down to earth, making a soft twittering sound as they descend, in order to attract females. These displays usually occur at dawn and dusk. A week ago, woodcock displays were occuring around 6:00pm. Good luck!

Note: Please post a comment of when and where you see woodcocks performing their mating ritual this month!

Raven Rock State Park (Lillington, NC)

Overview: Raven Rock State Park, located south of the Triangle in Lillington, North Carolina, revitalizes one's senses on a cold, winter day with its dramatic scenery. The major attraction, the Raven Rock itself, is easily reached on the Raven Rock loop trail (2.6 miles). The Raven Rock loop trail is an easy hike, until climbing back up the stairs that take one down to the banks of the scenic Cape Fear river.

Directions: Raven Rock State Park is located in Harnett County, west of Lillington. From the intersection of US 1 and US 421, take US 421 south. Turn left onto Raven Rock Road, which will take you straight into the park. More detailed directions can be found here.

Observations & Ponderings: Raven Rock State Park's topographic extremes (high jutting cliffs, hilly uplands and muddy bottomlands) provide abundant habitat for numerous tree species. On this trip, we identified blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), black oak (Quercus velutina), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), water oak (Quercus nigra), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and dogwood (Cornus florida) in the upland habitats alone.

Black oak (Quercus velutina) at Raven Rock SP, January 11, 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

Black oak (Quercus velutina) bark at Raven Rock SP, January 11, 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

Below the Raven Rock along the Cape Fear River, Raven Rock SP, January 11, 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

For me, this journey to Raven Rock State Park on January 11, 2009, had a much deeper meaning. At nearly 40 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, the spectacular view of the Cape Fear river and valley was particularly poignant. It triggered thoughts about the vastness of earth's history and how the landscape is continually changing at all time scales, macro and micro. This made me consider how my own life was about to change, how I was bringing a new life into the world and that this new baby would see changes that I never would. When I took this hike, I knew that baby Grant would be arriving soon. This hike, in fact, seemed to jump start labor contractions. After 27 hours of labor, baby Grant Joseph Cagle arrived into this ever-changing, awe-inspiring world.

Overlooking the Cape Fear River, Raven Rock SP, January 11, 2009 (© Nicolette Cagle 2009)

Historic Stagville & Horton Grove (Durham, NC)

Overview: Enjoy a lovely day at Historic Stagville and then explore the Triangle Land Conservancy's extensive Horton Grove Preserve (for permission and hiking suggestions, contact Walt Tysinger, TLC's land manager) in north Durham, North Carolina.

Directions: Historic Stagville is located at 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, NC 27712. The TLC's Horton Grove Preserve begins roughly behind the Great Barn on the other side of the road (site #54 on map).

Observations & Ponderings: Stay tuned for more to come!

Historic Bennehan Home (c. 1787), Historic Stagville, Durham, NC

The Great Barn (c. 1860), Historic Stagville, Durham, NC

Horton Grove (c. 1850-1860), Historic Stagville, Durham, NC

TLC's Horton Grove Preserve, Durham, NC



TLC's Horton Grove Preserve, Durham, NC

Ayr Mount and Poet's Walk (Hillsborough, NC)

Overview: Take pleasure in a quick, one-mile winter walk on the Poet's Walk at Ayr Mount, while enjoying a glimpse into early 19th century history at this beautifully preserved site along the Eno River in historic Hillsborough, North Carolina. Interested in a tour of the historic 1815 Kirkland home? The home can be toured from March 21 until December 20, on Wednesdays at 11am; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11am and 2pm; and Sundays at 2pm for a fee of $10 per person.

Directions: Ayr Mount is located at 376 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278. A map of the location can be found here.

Observations & Ponderings: A walk along the Poet's Walk at Ayr Mount quickly transported me into North Carolina's fascinating past. Every few steps revealed a new piece of history, whether it was an old tree, a family cemetery or the old trading path that was used by North Carolina American Indians and Civil War soldiers alike.

Map of Poet's Walk at Ayr Mount, Hillsborough, NC

Eno River at Ayr Mount, Hillsborough, NC


Ayr Mount, Hillsborough, NC

Old trading path at Ayr Mount, Hillsborough, NC

ROADTRIP: Morrow Mountain State Park (Albemarle, NC)

Overview: On November 16, 2008, my husband and I were able to take a beautiful autumn hike on Hattaway Mountain in Morrow Mountain State Park. The park is home to numerous trails exploring the ancient Uhwarrie Mountain range, a small natural history museum and the historic homestead of Dr. Francis Kron. For those interested, the home will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm for the next three weekends (December 6/7, 13/14 and 20/21). Morrow Mountain State Park is located south of Greensboro, NC in Stanley County. Click here for additional directions.

History, Ecology and Personal Observations: Our journey along the strenuous, 2 mile Hattaway Mountain trail (see park trail map) began on the west side of the park's large swimming pool. The trail wound its way up a gradual incline, through mature woods before reaching the Hattaway Mountain loop. Hattaway Mountain is one of four peaks in Mount Morrow State Park that remind us of the former grandeur of the Uwharrie Mountains, the oldest mountain range in the eastern United States. Although the mountain peaks in the park do not quite attain 1,000 feet in elevation today, the Uwharries once towered some 20,000 feet above sea level and were formed roughly 500 million years ago when the North American and African tectonic plates collided.

View of the Hattaway Mountain Trail, Morrow Mountain State Park, Nov. 16, 2008 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

View from the top of Hattaway Mountain, Morrow Mountain State Park, Nov. 16, 2008 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

Post oak (Quercus stellata) leaf on Hattaway Mountain Trail, Morrow Mountain State Park, Nov. 16, 2008 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)

The Hattaway Mountain trail hosts some of the park's most beautiful upland forest and scenic autumn vistas. Tree enthusiasts will be greeted by towering chestnut oaks (Quercus prinus) and hickories (Carya spp.), while those looking for a quiet fall or winter hike will be impressed by the sweeping views and relative privacy of this often overlooked trail. While Mark and I hiked this trail, we did not meet anyone else.

Lichen on Hattaway Mountain, Morrow Mountain State Park, Nov. 16, 2008 (© Nicolette L. Cagle)