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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMill Pond Preserve . Management Plan for the McGunnigle Property INTRODUCTION On August 6, 2002, the Town of Southold acquired title to a 25.06-acre parcel on the east side West Mill Road, Mattituck (SCTM#1000-106-6-l4) from Agnes McGunnigle for $490,987. DESCRIPTION The McGunnigle Property is located in the Town of South old, on the east side of West Mill Road, in the hamlet of Mattituck. The property comprises of approximately 8 acres of flat shrubland/grasslands and 17 acres of rolling woodlands, with some significant swales. The property is boarded to the east by a residential subdivision (Shore Acres) and a 32-acre parcel to the north that is owned by Mattituck Holding Corp. The waterfront portion of the Mattituck Holding Corp property is the Mattituck Inlet Marina and the balance is a mix of woodland, shrubs and grasslands. A large lot (14 acres) and a 26-acre farm are located on the west side of West Mill Road. There are no reports of threatened or endangered species on the property and no wetlands . are listed on the site. A 60' wide LILCO Right of Way Easement runs through the easterly portion ofthe woodlands. Forbs, grasses and shrub lands are found on the old-field section of the site. Eventually these areas would succeed into a shrub land and forest community if left to undergo the natural processes of change. The Mill Road Preserve has three plant community types found on the site, as follows: Old Field Juniperus virginiana (Easter Red Cedar) Schizochyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) Myrica pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry) Solidago spp. (Goldenrods) Aster spp. . Hardwood Forest Fagus Americana (American Beech) ~ Dominant species Quercus spp. (Q. alba, Q. coccinea, Q. montana (prinus, Q. velutina) (White, Scarlet, Chestnut, Black Oaks) Acer spp. (A. plantanoides, A. rubrum) (Norway and Red Maple) . Scrub-shrub (Along power-line right-of-way) Quercus spp. (various oak saplings) Comptonia peregrine (Sweet Fern) Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo) Solidago spp. (Goldenrod) Aster spp. A complete list of the flora, as found in the 2004 inventory is attached to the Management Plan. CULTURAL HISTORY The original deed for the track ofland known to the Indians as Mattatuck is dated March 1648. This deed conveyed Mattatuck to Governor Thephilus Eaton, as the representative of the New Haven Colony. The New Haven Colony held the land for the benefit of the Southold Colonist. The Mattatuck that was deeded to the people of the Southold Colony lay between Corchake (Cutchogue) and Ucquebaak (Aquebogue) and included the western half of the present Village of Matti tuck. . William Tooker in his book, "The Indian Place-Names of Long Island," tells us the name Mattituck can be derived from Indian word meaning "no trees" or "great creek". It would seem that "great creek" is the most appropriate in describing the Mattituck Creek area. British troops were encamped in Mattituck from 1775 until 1784 and farmers were forced to offer crops and property to the invading troops. Some families fled to Connecticut for refuge. The subject parcel is located in an area known as "Cox's Neck" after Samuel Cox who constructed a tidal mill on Mattituck Inlet in 1821. This was one of the earliest tidal mills in the country and was operated by the incoming and outgoing tides pushing underwater wheels. Barnabas Wines became the miller in the 1830's and the mill was operated until around 1902, when the construction of a steam mill made the tidal mill no longer profitable. The Old Mill Inn (restaurant) is found on the site today. In addition, on Cox's Neck was a "cow lot" that appears in several deeds. One is surprised to find that this "cow lot" comprised one hundred and fifty acres. . In his book "A History of Mattituck", Rev. Charles Craven notes that a comparatively small part if the farmland around Mattituck was cleared and thick woods stood where now lay most productive fields. The northern half of Mill Lane ran through the woods and much of the "northside" was wooded. The chief crops in the 1800's were hay, com, wheat, rye, oats and rising livestock. With the increase in the population in and around . New York City the demand for the cultivation of vegetables (potatoes, asparagus and cauliflower) increased dramatically and farmers on eastern Long Island turned their attention to meeting this demand. It was soon found that Long Island potatoes were the finest that reached the New York market and commanded the highest price. Woodland was cleared and the acreage for potatoes rapidly increased. Asparagus proved an excellent early harvest, followed by potatoes, with cauliflower and Brussels sprouts in the late fall/early winter. The bays and creeks around Mattituck abound in sea food of every description and from the earliest times to the present inhabitants have devoted some of their time to fishing, procuring eels, clams and crabs. The oysters of Matti tuck Creek have been recognized for many years for their superior quality, but it was not until the tide gates at the "Old Mill" were removed that their cultivation on a considerable scale was successful. Since 1903 large quantities have been planted and harvested from Mattituck Creek and they have enjoyed a well-established reputation for their quality and fine flavor. SITE CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT GOALS . The McGunnigle Property shall remain in its natural state and reserved for nature trails. A small stone blend parking area is located on West Mill Road and is the trailhead and access to the site. The purpose of the trail system is to allow visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the site. The trails provide public access without jeopardizing the existing resources. The trail winds through the grass/shrub land and woodlands. It has been constructed in a manner that will provide a safe recreational opportunity for visitors and will be resource compatible. The trails are designed, constructed and maintained according to the standards of the USDA Forest Service specifications. The trailhead has a small kiosk to display a map of the area, the trail system and the natural features (plant communities, shrub lands and forest habitat), on the site. Several small markers will be located along the trail to highlight the various flora communities that are found on the premises. The trail is unpaved and cleared in a manner sensitive to the environmental resources. All trimming along the trail will be done with flush cuts and all material shall be place in brush piles for wildlife enhancement areas. The shrub/grassland portion of the property will be mowed to provide a diversified wildlife habitat and to keep the grasslands open. The open areas will be mowed during the winter, to minimize disturbing nesting wildlife. Non-native vegetation will be removed and any planting on the site will be native species. Trail maintenance will be an annual activity conducted each spring, with periodic maintenance throughout the year, as needed. Maintenance will include trimming of . vegetation that has grown into the trailways, deadfall or trees that are found in the trailways and litter pick up. All structures related to the hiking trails, including but not limited to fences, interpretive signs, boardwalks, etc., would be constructed so as not to obstruct wildlife movement. Public assess to the McGunnigle Property will be from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and will provide opportunities for the public to enjoy passive recreation such as walking, photography, bird watching and the quiet contemplation of nature, being careful to prevent degradation of natural communities. The property will be maintained in its natural state, except for such foot trails and property maintenance activities as may be appropriate without impairing the sites natural character. No unauthorized motorized vehicles will be allowed on the property. Hunting opportunities on this property and other Town properties will be addressed in a Town Open Space Management Plan, to be developed in 2005. . MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES In order to achieve the above management goals, the Town of Southold, at its discretion, may implement some or all of the following strategies: 1. Develop and maintain a public foot-trail system to provide opportunities for passive recreation. The trail system will give special attention to: I) minimizing human disturbance to native plants and animals; 2) trails will be layout to minimize the impact on natural terrain; 3) controlling unauthorized uses such as mountain bikes, off-road vehicles and dumping; 4) disturbance to neighbors. 2. Use of the USDA Forest Service specifications as a guide for trail construction and maintenance. 3. Establish an oversight Committee to determine the rules and regulations for the property. . CONCLUSION . If carefully protected and maintained, the McGunnigle Property has the potential to provide a high-quality recreational, educational, ecological and aesthetic resource for the public to enjoy. Up-dated: December 7, 2004 . . . Mill Road Preserve Flora & Fauna Inventory Cornell Cooperative Extension . . 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Flora List for McGunnie:le Preserve Aceraceae (Maple Family) o AceI' plala/wide.I' DAcerrllbrum Norway Maple Red Maple Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family) o Rhus copallinul11 o Toxicodendron radicans Dwarf or Winged Sumac Poison Ivy Aoiaceae (Carrot Family) o Daucus caro/a Aoocvnaceae (Dogbane Family) o Apocynum cannabinllm Araliaceae (Ginseng Family) o Aralia nlldicaulis Queen Anne's Lace; Wild Carrot Indian Hemp Wild Sarsaparilla Ascleoidaceae (Milkweed Family) o Asclepias .\)wiaca Asteraceae (Aster Family) o Achillea millefolium o Eu/hamia gramimfblia o Eu/hamia lemllfiJlia o Hieracium cae.\pi/osum o Hieracilll11 sp, o Leon/odon au/umnalis o Solidago canadensis o Solidago rugosa CJ Solidago ,'}'empervirenv o ,))mlphyo/richlll1l dumosum o 5):/lIphvo/richulII lalenflof'lllll o Spuphyolrichul11l1ol'i-belgii o !ilraXUClli1/ officiI/ale Balsaminaceae (Touch-Me-Not Family) Common Milkweed Common Yarrow Lance-leaved Goldemod Slender Fragrant Goldemod Meadow Hawkweed Hawkweed Fall Dandelion Canada Goldemod Wrinkled Goldenrod Seaside Goldemod Bushy Aster Calico Aster New York Aster Common Dandelion o Impatiens capeni':i.~ Jewelweed & . . . Betulaceae (Birch Family) o Betu/a populijillia Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family) o LonieeraJaponica Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family) o Ce/astrus orbieu/atus Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family) o Commelina communis Gray Birch Japanese Honeysuckle Asian Bittersweet Asian Dayflower Comaceae (Dogwood Family) o Cornusflorida Cupressaceae (Cypress Family) o Juniperus virginiana Cvperaceae (Sedge Family) o eyperus sp. Dennstaedtiaceae (Bracken Fern Family) o Dennstaedtia puneti/obula o Pteridiul11 aquilinlll11 Drvopteridacae (Wood Fern Family) o Onoc/ea sensi hi lis Elaea2naceae (Oleaster Family) Flowering Dogwood Eastern Red Cedar Flat Sedge Hay-Scented Fern Bracken Sensitive Fern o Llaeagnlis uF11bellata Autumn Olive Ericaceae (Heath Family) o Kalmia latifolia o Vaeeiniul11 eorYl11hosul11 Fabaceae (Pea Family) o Baptisia tinetoria o I-e.\pedeza eapitata o Rohillia pselldooeocla o hl(()1i1l111 pratense o hl(()li/!/TI repcns Mountain Laurel High-bush Blueberry Wild Indigo; Horsefly Weed Bush Clover Black Locust Red Clover White Clover 00 . . . Fal!aceae (Beech Family) o Fagus grandifolia o ()uercus alha ~ American Beech White Oak Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak Black Oak o Quercus coccinea o Quercus primls o Quercus velutina JUl!landaceae (Walnut Family) o Corvo glahra Lauraceae (Laurel Family) o Sass(!fras alhidum Monotrooaceae (Indian Pipe Family) Pignut Hickory Sassafras o Monotropa IIniflora Indian Pipe; Corpse-plant Mvricaceae (Bayberry Family) o Comptonia peregrina o Morella pensylvanica Orobanchaceae (Broom-rape Family) o Epifagus virginiana Phvtolaccaceae (Pokeweed Family) Sweet Fern Northern Bayberry Beechdrops o Phytolacca americana Pokeweed Pinaceae (Pine Family) o Piilii5'- thunbeigiana Japanese Black Pine Poaceae (Grass Family) o Digitaria sanguinalis o l'anicllm virga/um o Pennisetlfnl f.?lauclJl1l Large or Hairy Crabgrass Switchgrass Yellow Foxtail; Pearl Millet Little Bluestem Grass o Schizachyrillm scoparillm PolVl!onaceae (Buckwheat Family) o j'olvgollllm pellsylvalllclI/71 Pensylvania Smartweed Pvrolaceae (ShinleafFamily) o ('himaphila maculata Striped or Spotted Wintergreen ~ . . . Rosaceae (Rose Family) o PrUlJlIS sero/ina o Rosa multiflora o Rubus sp. Salicaceae (Willow Family) o Populus tremuloides Smilaceae (Catbrier Family) o Smilax rotundifolia Vitaceae (Grape Family) o Parthenocissus quinqu~folia o Vitis lahl'1lsca Wild Black Cherry Multiflora Rose Brambles, Blackberry, Raspberry Quaking Aspen Roundleaf Greenbrier; Bullbrier Virginia Creeper Fox Grape . Faunal List for McGunnigle Preserve Common Name Mammals Opossum Raccoon Red Fox Eastern Cottontail Grey Squirrel S. Flying Squirrel Star Nosed Mole Short tailed Shrew Little Brown Bat Big Brown Bat Feral Cat White Footed Mouse Deer Mouse Muskrat White Tailed Deer Reptiles and Amphibians Box Turtle Garter Snake Brown Snake Milk Snake Ring-Necked Snake Red Backed Salamander Red Spotted Newt Peeper Grey Tree Frog Green Frog American Toad Fowlers Toad Birds American Crow Scientific Name Didelphis marsupialis Procyon lotor Vulpes vulpes Sylivagus f10ridanus Sciurus carolinensis Glaucomys vo/ans Condylura cristata Blar/na Brevicauda Myotis lucincus Eptesicus fuscus Felis domestica Peromyscus leucopus Peromyscus maniculatus Ondatra zibethica Odocoileus virginianus Terrapine carolina carolina Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Storeria dekayi dekayi Lampropeltis triangulum Diadophis punctatus edwardsii Plethodon cinereus Notophthalmus viridescens Pseudacris crucifer Hyla versicolor Rana clamitans Bufo american us Bufo fowleri Corvus brachyrhynchos Season YR YR YR YR YR YR YR SP,SU SP,SU YR YR YR YR YR SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU YR . f5? . URL LINK http://web6.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=65 http://web6.sLedu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=285 http://web6.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=420 http://web6.sLedu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=371 http://web6.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=298 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=106 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=47 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imaae info.cfm?species id=25 http://web4.sLedu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=199 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imaae info.cfm?species id=86 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=86 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=266 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imace info.cfm?species id=232 http://web4.si.edu/mna/imaae info.cfm?species id=231 http://www.bni. cov/esd/reserve/turtles.htm http://www.bnl.aov/esd/reserve/snakes.htm#Eastern%20Hocnose%20Sna ke http://www.bnl.aov/esd/reserve/snakes.htm#Eastern%20Hocnose%20Sna ke http://www.bnl.aov/esd/reserve/snakes.htm#Eastern%20HoqDose%20Sna ke http://www.bDI. cov/esd/reserve/sna kes. htm#Eastern%20Hoqnose%20Sna ke http://www.npwrc.usqs.qov/narcam/idcuide/redback.htm http://www.npwrc.uscs.cov/narcam/idcuide/rsnewt.htm http://www .npwrc.uscs.cov/narcam/idcuide/speeper .htm http://www . npwrc. uscs.cov/narcam/idcuide/hvlavers. htm http://www.npwrc.uscs.qov/narcam/idcuide/broDze.htm http://www .npwrc.usqs. cov/narcam/idauide/a merican, htm http://wwvy.npwrc.usas.aovlnarcam/idcuide/bfowl.htm http://www ,mbr -pwrc .uscs. qov/id/framlsUi4880id .hlmi . Faunal List for McGunnigle Preserve Common Name Fish Crow Blue Jay American Robin Eastern Bluebird Wood Thrush Red-Bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker N. Flicker Black-Capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Dark-Eyed Junco Yellow-Rumped Warbler Northern Cardinal Ring Necked Pheasant Ruffed Grouse Bobwhite Quail Whippoorwill Common Nighthawk Red-Tailed hawk American Kestrel Northern Harrier Sharp-Shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Osprey Great Horned Owl Eastern Screech Owl Scientific Name Corvus ossifragus Cyanocitla cristata Turdus migratorius Sialia sialis Hylocichla mustelina Melanerpes carolinus Picoides pubescens Picoides viffosus Colaptes auratus Parus atricapillus Parus bicolor Junco hyemalis Oendroica coronata Cardinalis cardinalis Phasianus colchicus Bonasa umbel/us Co/finus virginian us Caprimulgus vociferus Chordeilus minor Buteo jamaicensis Falco sparverius Circus cyaneus Accipiter striatus Accipiter cooperii Pandion haliaetus Bubo virginianus Otus asio Season YR YR YR SP,SU SP,SU YR SP,SU YR YR YR YR YR YR YR YR SP,SU YR SP,SU SP,SU YR SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU SP,SU YR YR . URL LINK http://www. mbr -pwrc .usas. aovlidlframlstli4900id .hlml http://www. mbr -pwrc.usas. aovlidlframlstli4 770id .hlmi http://www. m br -pwrc.usas. aovlid/fra mlstli761 Oid .hlml http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aovlid/framlstli7660id.html http://www . m br -pwrD.usas.aovlid/fra mlstli7 550id .hlml http://www.mb,-pwrD.usas.aov/idlframlstli4090id.hlml http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/id/framlstli3940id.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/id/framlstli3930id.htm I http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/id/framlstli4120id.htm I http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/id/framlstli7350id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/id/framlstli7310id.html http://www.mb.-pwrD.usas.aov/id/f.amlstli5670id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aovlid/framlstli6550id.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aovlid/framlstli5930id.html http :f1www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/id/framlstli3091id.htm I http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/id/framlstli3000id.htm I http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/id/framlstli2890id.htm I http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/idlframlstli4170id.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/idlframlstli4200id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aovlidlframlstli3370id.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usas.aov/idlframlstli3600id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/id/framlstli3310id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/idlframlstli3320id.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usQs.Qov/id/framlstli3330id.html http://www.mbr-pwrD.usas.aov/id/framlstli3640Id.html http://www .mbr -pwrc. usas.aov/idlframlstli3 7 50id .hlml http://www .mb, -pwrD.lIsas.aov/id/framlstli3 730id .hlml . 'j,'f . . . .'i~f" '" A _~ .... ..~. otil'~ _Ui~ ~ ~'":' :=--~-- Jlj;C~:, , 8l'V::,~. ~,: .-d"j ;.l ~( . ,> -o,~' ~tl . J'_' (y-;;.:.~ i\~ t ~ ,~:....,; ~ ....... ~~~ -.- . ~ ""- ".. " " "~I I r:. !,J [ -:/ ~.q;.. ; ..-~~.1- , ~"_l:tl ~",.'r., .",1:' 'i' 'I' ~..: -, , " . . . Habitat. Wildlife: The trail head of the preserve opens into the old-field successional shrublandlgrassland community. The majority of the old-field community is dominated by little bluesrcm grass, goldenrods and asters, and northern bayberry. Eastern red cedars arc found scattered throughout this area and a small stand of black locust rrees have become established in the nonhem end of this community. The old-fidd community provides a variety of food sources, with the grasses and [orbs (perennial herbs) providing seeds for bobwhite quail and several varieties of songbirds. Evidence of whitetail deer bedding down in SOIne of the higher grasses can be found throughout the preserve. The majority of the Mill Road Preserve is woodland. The forest at this site is a classic example of an American beech forest. The American beeches are the dominant species of tree in the preserve, but they are especially dense toward the properry's northern boundary. American beeches stand out from oaks and other hardwoods due to their smooth, grayish-green bark and papety, large-roothed leaves. Another charnaerisric of a beech forest is the presence of the parasitic plant, beech-drop. This plant doe.', not use sunlight to make it's food, but rather, it taps into the beeches root system and uses the fOod that the tree stores in its roots to grow and reproduce. Another characteristic of a mature, old-growth fiJ[esr is the minimal arnounr of plants growing in the understory. Due to the thick canopy of the dominant trees, a limited amount oflight penetrates to the forest Aoor. Few plants can tolerate this shaded condition, so the understory in an old, undiscrubed forest is typically open. Squirrels, mice and deer are common in the woodland as there is an abundant supply of nuts to be eaten. There are several old dead trees that show evidence of woodpecker activity and include holes hollowed ou[ fur nests. In the morning, snakes may be seen basking in the sun before starting their hunt for rodents, insects and amphibians. ~~~l Key: - Blue Trail L ~ Preserve Red Trail . 1 = Trail Head Site Map For more information about this and other recreational opportunities in the Town of Southold, please contact: Town of Southold 631-765-1800 PO Box 1179 Southold NY 11971 or: http:// southoldtown.northforknet Welcome to Mill Road Preserve: The Town of Southold purchascd this 27 -acre parcel in 2002. The preserve includcs approximately 9 acres of flat, old-field shrubland/ grasslands and 18 acres of maturc woodland. Site History: The Mill Road Preserve is located in an area known as "Cox's Neck" aftcr Samuel Cox, who had constructed a tidal mill on Mattituck Inlet in 1821. This was one of thc earliest tidal mills in the country and was operatcd by incoming and out going tidcs until around 1902. Ar$hdlllOlllaque Preserve owns Farm Preserve Mill Road Preserve Help protect and maintain the natural bcauty and wildlife habitat of the area. O Please: .' . SIa;' on designaled lrails. +. Take nolhing bill piclnres, leave nolhing bill footprinls. \It, Leashyollrdog. ~ tllK Check careflllly for licks after YOllr n'alk. .. Edumtional content pro\'id~>d by the Marine rrogram of: Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Comel1Coopet.liwIE.:teN4an~equaI ptogr8m.ndemplOyl'rlef1t~s The Mill Road l'wel't'e is opell 10 the pl/blic yeaNotlfld from dall'll 10 dl/sk. Mattituck N. ~- ""'" .. Town of Southold PO Box 11 79 Southold NY 11971 631-765-1800 http://southoldtown.northfork. net Trail Guide PRESERVE ~8; .,Y MILL "--"" .\'O-1D ( Co" . -.... -.... ::r --'" ---................ ~ ^"'ck; '" """ ~ -< ~ ::e .....-...-..--. -............. ...... -.....-...... -"" -"-" ). 1 ~ .......... 1.~ ill -.....tl~ "....-.. J,l .o-Q (j'" -..-..-----. ... o o f tl i l~ ~1~~ l'~", ,'~ wfl '" '" " / -if Iii ~:R ~$J.O' 0'15'1 ~o~ . -~ '0' ,q 5/3"3</'10"" -.,; 11"~~r;" I I I I Ul 1~1 ~jl'o'l'o'l I l:t 2<1 25 S/3.iJ<j'lo~ ~ ~~. '. fiLEDJA '. \, 1,3" 4MAf#4/11 ft'! /, I o I lot \ I 30 '3r I \~! I " ':'"i 'i " . !~