Nancy Brook
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
The Nancy Brook Research Natural Area features an outstanding stand of old-growth red spruce (Picea rubens) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and is one of the largest tracts of virgin forest in the Northeast. The area also includes the summits of three mountains: 3926-foot (1197 m) Mt. Nancy, 3725-foot (1135 m) Mt. Bemis, and 3300-foot (1006 m) Duck Pond Mountain. The globally rare species, mountain avens (Geum peckii), grows on the wet rocks of the Nancy Brook Cascade. The state-threatened sedge (Carex wiegandii) occurs in an acidic fen east of Nancy Pond. The rare northern three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) is found in old-growth stands within the RNA.
Annual precipitation is 56.9 inches (144.5 cm), evenly distributed throughout the year
Pinkham Notch station, elevation 2010 feet (613 m), is located 12 miles (19 km) northeast of the RNA.
Bedrock of the area is part of the Littleton formation, chiefly composed of gray gneiss. An area of Mt. Lafayette granite porphyry is also present east of the cascades. Soil materials are typically bouldery to very bouldery, rapidly permeable, sandy loam to loamy sand tills.
Principal aquatic features are the Nancy Brook and its associated cascades, and Nancy Pond. The area also includes two small bogs and associated beaver ponds, a cascade with a 200-foot (60 m) drop, and a high flat saddle with a 4-acre (1.6 ha) pond.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelanchier bartramiana | Mountain serviceberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides L. | withe-rod | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Nemopanthus mucronata | common mountain holly | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Oxalis montana | Northern wood-sorrel | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Clintonia borealis | bead-lily | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dryopteris spinulosa var. intermedia | fancy wood-fern | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginianus | White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| moose | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Lepus americanus | snowshoe hare | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | red squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Castor canadensis | beaver | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Aix sponsa | Wood duck | Common Bird Species | ||
| Dendragapus canadensis) | spruce grouse | Common Bird Species | ||
| Megaceryle alcyon | belted kingfisher | Common Bird Species | ||
| Picoides tridactylus | three-toed woodpecker | Common Bird Species | ||
| Picoides arcticus | black-backed woodpecker | Common Bird Species | ||
| Parus atricapillus | black-capped chickadee | Common Bird Species | ||
| Zonotrichia albicollis) | white-throated sparrow | Common Bird Species | ||
| Euphagus carolinus | rusty blackbird | Common Bird Species | ||
| Dendroica striata | blackpoll warbler | Common Bird Species | ||
| Regulus satrapa | golden-crowned kinglet | Common Bird Species |
Publications
- William Leak, William B. Leak. 1985. Relationships of tree age to diameter in old-growth northern hardwoods and spruce-fir
- Joshua L. Royte, Daniel D. Sperduto, John P. Lortie. 1996. Botanical reconnaissance of Nancy Brook Research Natural Area