Nescopeck Creek Valley

This large natural area is centered on the upper watershed of Nescopeck Creek, encompassing portions of Nescopeck State Park and State Game Lands #187, and bordered by the Arbutus Peak site to the north. Numerous animal and plant species of concern have been documented at the site, occupying a variety of wetland and upland habitats throughout the upper Nescopeck Valley, in moist oak woods along the Nescopeck Creek and its south-flowing tributaries. The species of concern at the site occur in separate, disparate habitats within Nescopeck State Park and Sate Game Lands #187.

The upland habitats are characterized by mixed oak-heath woods. Tree species present include white oak (Quercus alba), black oak, (Quercus velutina), red maple (Acer rubrum), and white pine (Pinus strobus). The shrubs include Scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), arrow-wood (Viburnum sp.), and various heaths (Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia latifolia, Vaccinium sp.), sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina), Herbaceous species include sedges (Carex vestita, Carex stricta), fly-poison (Amianthium muscaetoxicum), hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), and wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis). Streamside wetlands and seeps within the State Park are dominated by sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum sp.), sedges (Carex trisperma, Carex folliculata), rushes (Juncus effusus), Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum),

Five plant species of concern were documented in various habitats within the area: water bulrush (Schoenoplectus subterminalis), hairy honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta), rough-leaved aster (Eurybia radula), Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana) and variable sedge (Carex polymorpha). Three plant species that have recently been removed from the species of concern list: Hartford fern (Lygodium palmatum), bladderwort (Utricularia geminiscapa), and bushy naiad (Najas gracillima) also occur within the variety of habitats.

Eight odonate species of concern rely primarily on wetland habitats within this area: black-tipped darner (Aeshna tuberculifera), green-striped darner (Aeshna verticalis), ocellated darner (Boyeria grafiana), superb jewelwing (Calopteryx amata), American emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii), northern bluet (Enallagma annexum), Uhler’s sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri), and sweetflag spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus).

Four lepidopteron species of concern, barrens buckmoth (Hemileuca maia), Leonard’s skipper (Hesperia leonardus), footpath sallow moth (Metaxaglaea semitaria) and flypoison borer moth (Papaipema sp. 1) occur primarily within upland habitats at this site. Two additional species of concern, which are not named at the request of the jurisdictional agencies overseeing their protection, were found in various habitats including dry woods and old fields.

Threats include deer browse; it appears that deer stripped this forest recently - perhaps large numbers of deer wintered here along the creek. Disturbances to the site include the creation of Lake Francis and other impoundments along the Creek, a variety of ATV and jeep trails, logging, management activities in the State Game Lands, and recent construction of facilities for the State Park. Despite these disturbances, the valley is largely forested and undisturbed by past anthracite mining. Efforts should be made to manage the park to protect the wild nature of much of the valley (especially by protecting the forests along the Creek tributaries) and the associated species of concern. Maintaining buffers around the wetlands and the water quality of Nescopeck Creek (a High Quality–Cold Water Fishery) will help these species of concern to persist at the site.