of bird species, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals have been 

 eliminated. Half the nest trees of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker 

 in the county have been cut in the past five years. Only about eight known 

 nesting cavity trees remain. If the remaining longleaf pine - turkey oak 

 areas in the Sand Banks are cut over, this species will also pass from the 

 county fauna. 



Among plants, it is likely that a large number of sandhills species 

 has been lost, especially as land was converted to loblolly pine 

 plantation in the sandy areas. Longleaf pine and turkey oak are reduced 

 to only a few mature trees. During the course of this study, a search was 

 made for the attractive, small creeping blueberry, which once occurred 

 in the northern part of the Sand Banks. Examination of its last two known 

 northern locations in Gates and Hertford Counties, revealed that both 

 sites had been destroyed, one for a pulpwood plantation and the other 

 cleared for agriculture. It can be concluded that this species has now 

 been eliminated from the northern part of the state. 



The future looks bleak in the county for fox squirrel, wild turkey, 

 bobcat, river otter, mink, weasel, the red-shouldered hawk, eastern 

 bluebird, red-cockaded woodpecker, the major food fishes of the Chowan 

 River, longleaf pine, turkey oak, white cedar and a great number of less 

 conspicuous species of birds, animals, shrubs and herbs, unless there is 

 an active concern and effort by county residents to protect the critical 

 habitats necessary. 



Hopeful signs that this can be done have been efforts in recent years 

 by area wildlife clubs to restore black bear and wild turkey; the decision 

 by farm landowners not to channelize Duke Swamp and its tributaries; and 

 efforts by the county commissioners to find a solution to the problem of 

 pollution of the Chowan River. Sufficient natural areas barely remain to 

 guarantee habitat for survival for most of the animal and plant species 

 of Gates County. The quality of life of future generations will depend 

 upon the decisions and efforts of the present inhabitants. This will 

 eventually boil down to hard choices between natural values and the 

 dollar. 



