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An Ecological Overview of the Kubosiak Parcel (2)An Ecological Overview of the Kubosiak Parcel, Coles Meadow Road, Northampton, MA Prepared by Laurie Sanders, M.S. April 26, 2012 During the last twenty years, the City of Northampton, in collaboration with the Broad Brook Coalition and other non-profit conservation organizations, has helped protect more than 20 parcels (~350 acres) and expand the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area to its current 890 acres. All of these recent acquisitions were valuable, but few compare in significance with the proposed purchase of the 88-acre Kubosiak property. The Kubosiak property earns high marks for several reasons, most notably because of:  Its size and strategic location: Not only is this parcel good-sized, it also fills in key piece within the jigsaw puzzle of protected land. Moreover, once purchased, it will create contiguous connection with existing conservation land.  Its recreational value: In spite of its proximity to Interstate 91 and commercial areas of Northampton, this property is relatively quiet and has a remote, wild feel that enhances its inherent attractiveness. The land also includes a network of existing trails that can be easily maintained as well as expanded to connect with other trails.  Its ecological importance: The property supports seven different habitat types, including one of the most unusual swamp forests in Northampton, a marsh that contains a small great blue heron rookery, and some of the best black bear habitat in the Commonwealth. In addition, it includes a stretch of Broad Brook that is immediately upstream from known habitat for three state-listed freshwater mussels, including the Federally Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel.  Its long-term management needs: As of now, this property has relatively few problems with invasive species. It also does not appear to have any serious issues with ATV use. These observations are drawn from my explorations of the parcel in April 2012, as well as from earlier work in the Mill River watershed (Hatfield/Whately) and in Northampton. The remainder of this document provides more detailed summaries of the specific habitats found within the property and a list of the animals observed during the April site visits. Habitat Summaries During April 2012, two site visits were made to the Kubosiak property. Seven different habitats were identified and are shown on Map 2. 1. Rocky, upland, oak-dominated forests, with broad patches of dense hemlock stands (67 acres) 2. An extensive swamp forest (~14 acres) 3. Marsh along Broad Brook (~3 acres) 4. Broad Brook (~1 acre) 5. Rocky outcrops and boulder fields (~ 1 acre) 6. Perennial streams exiting the swamp forest (< 1 acre) 7. A small field maintained for wildlife (1 acre) Using aerial maps, USGS topographic map, and the soils maps, the rough boundaries of these different habitats were subsequently outlined (Map 2). Rocky, upland forest (Not colored) The vast majority of the property is dominated by dry, rocky uplands covered in forest. The rocks here are metamorphic (450 million years old) in origin and lie just below or at the surface. The topography is hilly, with occasional steep hills and large rocky outcrops. In the upland areas, the soils are fairly shallow, well-drained and acidic—a fairly tough combination, which makes this habitat suitable for a relatively small suite of plant species. In the canopy, the most common trees are the oaks, with red oak and chestnut oak dominating. Red maple is also abundant, and throughout the forest grow scattered white oak, white pine, black birch, and less commonly, beech. In areas where the soils are slightly moister, the oak forests give way to extensive stands of hemlock. These are easily visible on the aerial photo above; hemlock forests cover nearly 30 acres of the uplands. The shrubby understory is similarly depauperate, and includes mountain laurel, witch hazel, maple-leaved viburnum, low-bush blueberry, and occasional sassafras and ironwood. The understory vegetation is also limited in its diversity and virtually absent below the hemlocks and oaks. In the small, scattered openings, the more common species include partridgeberry, common wintergreen, and swaths of low-bush blueberries. Wild Swamp Forest Marsh Perennial Stream Broad Brook Rocky Outcrops Boulder Field Open Clearing sarsaparilla, hay-scented fern, bracken, Christmas fern and trailing arbutus are also present. Along the trails, it is possible to find bluets, cinquefoil, sweet fern, goldenrod and asters. All of this forest has been logged repeatedly, but curiously there is no evidence of barbed wire or stonewalls on the property. A typical view in the oak-dominated, rocky uplands. Dense, hemlock woods like these are common on the Kubosiak property. Note the lack of any understory vegetation. Swamp Forest In the central part of the property is a 15-acre swamp forest. Underlain by bedrock, this is an unusual swamp forest for a couple reasons; for one, it is almost park-like, with few shrubs in the mid-story layer and allowing the visitor to see for long distances; secondly, it has an unusual understory. Underfoot, the ground is dominated by broad swaths of grass-like sedges (Carex bromoides) and skunk cabbage, unlike any other wetland that I’ve seen in Northampton or surrounding towns. The few shrub species that do occur are common species (Mountain laurel, spicebush, ironwood), and the canopy consists of scattered yellow birch, red maple, black ash and hemlock. None of the other plant species growing here is particularly uncommon, but what is uncommon is the particular assemblage, which suggests that the soils here are marginally sweeter (i.e. less acidic) than expected. For instance, aside from the expected species, such as sensitive fern, royal fern, touch-me-not, marsh marigold, golden saxifrage, and goldthread, you can also find trout lily, foam flower, common toothwort, dwarf ginseng and even wild leeks. Although no rare plant species were encountered in April, it is possible that future surveys will reveal unusual sedges or other plant species of significance. What was found were scattered multiflora rose and barberry bushes, two invasive species that should be controlled in the future. Unlike most swamp forests, the lack of a prominent shrub layer allows long-distance views and creates an almost park-like effect. The swamp forest is used extensively by wildlife, both birds and mammals. In the early spring, it is especially important for the bears as they emerge from hibernation. Here they find abundant and tender shoots of skunk cabbage. Bear sign is common here and almost every skunk cabbage plant shows signs of being nibbled by bears. The swamp forest had an abundance of lichens growing on the trunks, including some species that are less commonly seen, due to their sensitivity to pollution. Marsh & Broad Brook The marsh along Broad Brook includes a variety of wetland microhabitats. In the wetted perimeter, there is a thicket of vegetation, including meadowsweet, alder, silky dogwood, beaked hazelnut, dewberry, multiflora rose, glossy buckthorn, poison ivy, and a mix of sedges, grasses and wildflowers. Further from the shoreline, the vegetation varies depending on water depths—in the seepy muds grow forget-me-not, sedges and rushes, on slightly higher hummocks, there are broad tangles of silky dogwood, steeplebush and meadowsweet, closer to the open water, there are stands of cattails. Red maple is also common here, and along the margins, black birch, hemlock and yellow birch are common. Big boulders are also abundant, some dragged in and deposited by the glacier, while others are actually solid, bedrock outcrops. These marshy wetlands extend well beyond the Kubosiak property’s boundaries, continuing both upstream and downstream, and create an important habitat for migrating and nesting waterfowl. Wood ducks, mallards, kingfishers, tree swallows, bluebirds, song sparrow, Canada geese, and swamp sparrow were all observed during the April site visit and likely nest in and around the marsh. A small, great blue heron rookery (4 active nests) was also seen in mid-April and it is possible that American bittern, a state-listed species, would also use the marsh as a breeding ground. In addition to birds, there was also sign of otter, beaver and muskrat. Spring peepers were calling. And downstream, surveys for freshwater mussels between 1998-2002 revealed that Broad Brook provided habitat for three state-listed mussels, including dwarf wedgemussel (Federally endangered). Freshwater mussels are the Researcher Dave McLain with dwarf wedgemussels, a federally endangered species found downstream from the Kubosiak property in Broad Brook. Close- Up: Dwarf wedgemussels, adult size, relative to a penny. Two views of the stream that exits the north end of the swamp forest. Note how many cobbles occur here, suggesting that at times the flows are much higher. most imperiled group of organisms in North America. The role of this marsh in protecting the water quality for the mussel habitat downstream is, in and of itself, a high priority for protection. Small, Perennial Streams Two perennial streams flow out of the swamp forest, one to the north, the other to the south, indicating that a watershed divide occurs within the swamp. The stream to the north is includes small cobbles and a sandy bottom. False hellebore, marsh marigold, and trout lily grow along its banks along with a variety of mosses (Gnium, Thuidium, Climacium) and liverworts. The stream provides habitat for two-lined salamanders, crayfish and a variety of aquatic insects. A two-lined salamander that was found living in the small stream that drains from the north end of the swamp forest. Much of the clearing a wet meadow, with sphagnum moss and a variety of wetland plants that depend on open sunny locations. Rocky Outcrops & Boulder Field In addition to the unusual habitats already mentioned, the Kubosiak property also includes a few impressive rock outcrops and a large boulder field. All of these areas are dominated by deciduous trees, including red maple, black birch, striped maple, mountain laurel, and witch hazel. In general, herbs are sparse, but Canada mayflower, starflower, red trillium and shining clubmoss are commonly seen. In addition, the rocks are frequently covered with mosses and polypody fern. All of the larger outcrops and the boulder field had porcupine dens. Open Clearing A one acre clearing (pictured) has been maintained for hunting and wildlife observations by the current owners. It is an ideal site to keep open and build an observation blind so that visitors can watch common wildlife like deer, turkey and bears. One of three large rock outcrops observed on the Kubosiak property. The boulder field, a feature unlike any other known in Northampton, MA. A porcupine quill in hand, with the den entrance in the background. List of Observed Wildlife (April 14, 2012) Birds Barred Owl Red-tailed Hawk Great Blue Heron Wood Duck Mallard Canada Goose Wild Turkey Ruffed Grouse American Robin Eastern bluebird Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied sapsucker Tree Swallow Tufted Timouse Black-capped chickadee Common Crow Raven Blue Jay Brown Creeper Dark-eyed junco Red-winged blackbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch Mammals Black Bear White-tailed Deer American Beaver Muskrat Porcupine Gray Squirrel Eastern Chipmunk Red Squirrel Amphibians Spring peeper Two-lined salamander Qualifications of Biologist Laurie Sanders has prepared ecological inventories for private clients and state and federal agencies for more than 20 years. In 1993, she inventoried all of Northampton’s city-owned conservation areas and wrote Rediscovering Northampton, which served as a guide for management and future acquisitions. In fact, as part of that earlier effort, she explored the swamp forest on the Kubosiak property and the boulder field in 1992. She has found dozens of new sites for rare species (plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, tiger beetles, odonates, butterflies, and freshwater mussels) in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She earned her master’s degree from the Field Naturalist Program at the University of Vermont. She lives in Westhampton, MA, with her husband and young daughter.