DEPAR TMENT OF AGRICULT URE

Cherry Creek Research 

Natural Area

Guidebook Supplement 41

Reid Schuller, Jennie Sperling, and Tim Rodenkirk

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest 

Research Station

General Technical 

Report

PNW-GTR-834

March 2011
The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of 

multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, 

water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the 

States and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National 

Grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service to a 

growing Nation.

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or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Authors

Reid Schuller is a plant ecologist, Western Stewardship Science Institute, P.O. Box 

1173, Bend, Oregon 97709. Jennie Sperling and Tim Rodenkirk are botanists, 

Coos Bay District, Bureau of Land Management. The Pacific Northwest Research 

Station is publishing this guidebook as part of a continuing series of guidebooks on 

federal research natural areas begun in 1972.

Cover: Cherry Creek Research Natural Area. Original illustration by 

Jennie Sperling.
Abstract

Schuller, Reid; Sperling, Jennie; Rodenkirk, Tim. 2011. Cherry Creek 

Research Natural Area: guidebook supplement 41. Gen. Tech. Rep. 

PNW-GTR-834. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 24 p. 

This guidebook describes Cherry Creek Research Natural Area, a 239-ha (590-ac) 

area that supports old-growth Douglas-fir-western hemlock (Pseudotsuga menziesiiTsuga heterophylla) forest occurring on sedimentary materials in the southern 

Oregon Coast Range. Major plant associations present within the area include the 

western hemlock/Oregon oxalis (Oxalis oregana) plant association, the western 

hemlock/evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) plant association, and the 

western hemlock/rhododendron-Oregon grape (Rhododendron macrophyllumBerberis nervosa) plant association. A northern spotted owl population (Strix 

occidentalis caurina) also uses the area.

Keywords: Research natural area, area of critical environmental concern, 

riparian vegetation, old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western 

hemlock/Oregon oxalis plant association, western hemlock/evergreen huckleberry 

plant association, western hemlock/rhododendron-Oregon grape plant association, 

Tsuga heterophylla/Oxalis oregana, Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium ovatum, Tsuga 

heterophylla/Rhododendron macrophyllum-Berberis nervosa plant association, 

northern spotted owl, Strix occidentalis caurina.
Preface

The research natural area (RNA) described in this supplement 1 is administered by 

the Coos Bay District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of 

the Interior.

Cherry Creek RNA is part of a federal system2 of natural areas established 

for research and educational purposes.3 Of the 183 federal RNAs established in 

Oregon and Washington, 45 are described in Federal Research Natural Areas in 

Oregon and Washington: A Guidebook for Scientists and Educators (see footnote 

1). This report is a supplement to the guidebook. 

Each RNA is a site where ecological elements 4 are protected or managed for 

scientific purposes and natural processes are allowed to dominate. Their main 

purposes are to provide:

•	 Baseline	areas	against	which effects of human activities	can	be measured

or compared.

•	 Sites for study of natural	processes	in undisturbed ecosystems.

•	 Gene pool preserves for all types of	organisms,	especially for those that

are rare and endangered.

1

 Supplement No. 41 to Franklin, J.F.; Hall, F.C.; Dyrness, C.T.; Maser, C. 1972. Federal 

research natural areas in Oregon and Washington: a guidebook for scientists and educators. 

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest 

and Range Experiment Station. 498 p.

2

 Six federal agencies cooperate in this program in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Department 

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park 

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of Energy; and 

U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, the federal agencies cooperate with state agencies 

and private organizations in Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest Interagency 

Natural Area Committee. Taken from Wilson, T.M.; Schuller, R.; Holmes, R.; Pavola, C.; 

Fimbel, R.A.; McCain, C.A.; Gamon, J.G.; Speaks, P.; Seevers, J.I.; DeMeo, T.E.; Gibbons, 

S 2009. Interagency strategy for the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas Network. Gen. Tech. 

Rep. PNW-GTR-798. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 33 p.

3

 Federal Committee on Ecological Reserves. 1977. A directory of the research natural 

areas on federal lands of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service.

4

 Elements are the basic units represented in a natural area system. An element may be 

an ecosystem, community, habitat, or organism. Adapted from Oregon Natural Heritage 

Program [ONHP]. 2003. Oregon natural heritage plan. Salem, OR: Department of State 

Lands. 167 p.; and Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin, J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, 

G. 1975. Research natural area needs in the Pacific Northwest: a contribution to land-use 

planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-38. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 231 p.
The guiding principle in managing RNAs is to maintain natural ecological 

processes or conditions for which the sites were designated. Timber harvesting and 

uncontrolled grazing are not allowed, nor is public use that might impair scientific 

or educational values. Management practices necessary to maintain or restore 

ecosystems may be allowed.

Federal RNAs provide a unique system of publicly owned and protected 

examples of undisturbed ecosystems where scientists can conduct research with 

minimal interference and reasonable assurance that investments in long-term 

studies will not be lost to logging, land development, or similar activities. Scientists 

and educators wishing to visit or use this RNA for scientific or educational 

purposes should contact the Coos Bay BLM District Manager in advance and 

provide information about research or educational objectives, sampling procedures, 

and other prospective activities. Research projects, educational visits, and collection 

of specimens from the RNA all require prior approval. There may be limitations on 

research or educational activities.

A scientist or educator wishing to use the RNA is obligated to:

•	 Obtain permission from the appropriate administering agency before using

the area (see footnote 2).

•	 Abide by the administering agency’s regulations governing use, including

specific limitations on the type of research, sampling methods, and other 

procedures.

•	 Inform the administering agency on progress of the research,	published	

results, and disposition of collected materials.

The purpose of this approval process is to:

•	 Ensure that the ecological integrity and scientific and educational values of

the tract are not compromised.

•	 Allow the agency to document research or educational	use	of the tract.

•	 Help promote the	dissemination	and	use	of information collected at the site.

•	 Avoid conflict between ongoing studies and activities.

Appropriate uses of RNAs are determined by the administering agency (see 

footnote 2). Analysis involving destruction of vegetation is generally not allowed, 

nor are studies requiring extensive substrate modification such as extensive soil 

excavation. Collection of plant and animal specimens is generally restricted to 

voucher specimens or approved research activities. Under no circumstances may 

collecting significantly reduce species populations. Collecting must also be carried 

out in accordance with all other federal and state agency regulations. 
Contents

 1 Introduction

 1 Access and Accommodations

 3 Environment

 3 Climate

 6 Vegetation

10 Fauna

10 Disturbance History

11 Research History

11 Maps

11 Acknowledgments

12 English Equivalents

12 References

15 Appendix 1: Plants

18 Appendix 2: Bryophytes and Lichens

21 Appendix 3: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals
1

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Introduction

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) is a 239-ha (590-ac) area located in 

Coos County, Oregon (fig. 1). The site was established in 1965 (Franklin et al. 1972) 

as an RNA, and the designation was reaffirmed by the Coos Bay District Resource 

Management Plan (USDI BLM 1995). A short guidebook was written for the area 

in 1972 (Franklin et al. 1972). Since that time, more comprehensive information 

has been compiled for the area, including a plant association guide for the northern 

Oregon Coast Range coniferous forests (McCain and Diaz 2002), and publication 

of the Oregon Natural Heritage Plan (ONHP 2003).

The original rationale for designating this site as an RNA was that it exemplified 

old-growth Douglas-fir-western hemlock (Pseudotsuga menziesiiTsuga heterophylla) forest occurring on sedimentary materials in the southern 

Oregon Coast Range (Franklin et al. 1972). Recent inventory and classification 

(McCain and Diaz 2002) work has provide further basis for protecting the important 

elements1

 occurring within the RNA. These are listed in the 2003 Natural Heritage 

Plan (ONHP 2003) as:

•	 Western hemlock/Oregon oxalis	(Oxalis oregana) plant association.

•	 Western hemlock/rhododendron-Oregon grape	(Berberis nervosaRhododendron macrophyllum) plant association.

•	 Northern spotted owl	(Strix occidentalis caurina).

Access and Accommodations

From the intersection of Oregon State Highway 42 and N Central Boulevard in 

Coquille, Oregon, set odometer at 0 and proceed on N Central Boulevard for 1.3 km 

(0.8 mi) and turn right onto Fairview Road. Continue to 15.3 km (9.5 mi) on Fairview 

Road to the intersection at Four Corners. At Four Corners, turn right onto Lone Pine 

Road and continue to 26.1 km (16.2 mi) to the intersection with Cherry Creek Road 

(gravel) and turn left onto Cherry Creek Road. At 29 km (18.0 mi), take left fork at 

“Y.” At 30.6 km (19.0 mi), take left fork (do NOT cross bridge at this point). Continue 

to 32.8 km (20.4 mi) and cross the bridge over Cherry Creek. At 34.4 km (21.4 mi), 

pull off and park along the road shoulder (fig. 1). Upper elevations of the RNA may 

be accessed via Bureau of Land Management roads 27-11-27, 27-10-18, and 27-11-12. 

Maps and additional directions to the area are also available at the Coos Bay District 

office once permission to access the area has been granted. Lodging is available in 

Coquille, Coos Bay, and North Bend, Oregon. 

1

 Elements are the basic units represented in a natural area system. An element may be an 

ecosystem, community, habitat, or organism (Dyrness et al. 2003).
2

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Figure 1—Cherry Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) location and access.
3

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Environment 

The RNA includes first- to third-order stream reaches and adjoining upper slopes of 

the North Fork Cherry Creek drainage basin, and limited portions of the South Fork 

Cherry Creek basin. Elevations range from 190 m (623 ft) located along the northwestern boundary (fig. 2) adjacent to an abandoned recreational site along the main access 

road into the area to 450 m (1,476 ft) along the divide separating the North Fork and 

South Fork drainages in the south-central portion of the RNA. Slopes incline steeply 

toward the riparian basins, which drain toward the west.

Sedimentary rock underlies the entire natural area. Bedrock consists of massive, rhythmically bedded, micaceous lithic sandstone and siltstone of the Flournoy 

Formation of lower to middle Eocene age, roughly 50 million years before present. 

The Flournoy Formation is unconformable over the Lookingglass Formation and is 

overlain and unconformable with the Tyee Formation (Baldwin et al. 1973). 

Soils are relatively deep, and are developed in colluvium and residuum derived 

from the underlying siltstone and sandstone bedrock. Depth to bedrock is 100 to 150 

cm (40 to 60 in). The Bohannon soil series with Preacher, Milbury, and Umpcoos 

associations occupies the majority of the site (USDA NRCS 2010a). A typical profile 

of the Bohannon series follows (table 1) (USDA NRCS 2010b). 

Climate

The climate is characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, moist summers tempered 

by the influence of cyclonic westerlies that approach the Oregon Coast Range from the 

Pacific Ocean. Precipitation occurs primarily as rain and averages 1507 mm (59.3 in) 

per year. Winters are dominated by low-pressure systems, and conditions are wet and 

cool, with extended periods of cloudiness and heavy periods of precipitation. Average winter minimum temperatures of 1.8 °C (35.3 °F) occur in January. Temperature 

extremes are muted, and diurnal fluctuations are minor: 6 °C to 10 °C (11 °F to 18 °F) 

(Franklin and Dyrness 1988). Winter snow occurs at higher elevations from November through February, with the majority of snowfall occurring between January and 

February (table 2). Average annual snowfall is 51 mm (2.0 in) (WRCC 2010). During the drier, summer months, storm tracks move northward, resulting in dominant 

high-pressure systems with extended periods of warm, dry weather. Average summer 

maximum temperatures of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) occur in July. Advection fog often occurs 

in the summer and may extend into lower elevation valleys of the Coast Range. Only 

5 percent of the total average precipitation occurs during the June through August 

period (table 1) (WRCC 2010). The nearest weather station to the RNA is the Dora 

2 West Oregon (352370) weather station located about 16 km (10 mi) to the south of 

Cherry Creek RNA at the same elevation as the lower portions of the RNA. 
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GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Figure 2—Cherry Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) topography and boundary.
5

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Table 1—Generalized soil profile of the Bohannon series, Oregon Coast Range 

Horizon Depth Characteristics

Oi 0 to 1 in Intermittent horizon of freshly fallen needles and fern fronds.

A 1 to 5 in Dark brown (10YR 3/3) gravelly medial loam, dark grayish 

	 	 brown (10YR 4/2) dry; moderate	fine	granular structure;

 slightly hard, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; weakly; 

	 	 smeary	common roots; many	fine	and very	fine	irregular

 pores; 20 percent gravel; moderately acid (pH 5.9); abrupt 

 smooth boundary.

AB 5 to 12 in Dark brown (10YR 3/3) gravelly medial loam, brown (10YR 

	 	 4/3) dry; moderate	fine	subangular blocky structure; slightly

 hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; weakly 

	 	 smeary; common roots; common	fine	and very	fine	irregular

 pores; 20 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; moderately 

 acid (pH 6.0); clear smooth boundary.

Bw 12 to 18 in Dark brown (7.5YR 3/4) gravelly loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; 

	 	 weak very	fine	subangular blocky structure; slightly hard,

 friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common roots; 

	 	 many	fine	pores; few,	fine,	distinct darker colored coatings

 in pores; 20 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; moderately 

 acid (pH 6.0); clear smooth boundary.

Bc 18 to 25 in Brown (7.5YR 4/4) gravelly loam, yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) 

	 	 dry; weak very	fine	subangular blocky structure; slightly

 hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common 

	 	 roots; many	fine	pores; few,	fine	distinct darker colored

 coatings in pores; 30 percent gravel, cobbles, and stones; 

 moderately acid (pH 6.0); clear smooth boundary.

Cr1 25 to 59 in Fractured sandstone with dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) 

 loam in fractures; soil material similar to above horizon 

 and accounts for about 10 percent of the horizon; fractured 

 at intervals of 18 to less than 40 inches; gradual irregular 

 boundary.

Cr2 > 59 in Moderately cemented, partially weathered arkosic; sandstone 

 fractured at intervals of 18 to less than 40 inches.

Source: USDA NRCS 2010b.

Table 2—Temperature and precipitation summary for the 

Dora 2 W, Oregon (352370) weather station near Cherry 

Creek Research Natural Areaa

Average minimum January temperature 1.8 °C (35.3 °F)

Average maximum January temperature 12 °C (53.6 °F)

Average minimum July temperature 10.6 °C (51.0 °F)

Average maximum July temperature 25.3 °C (77.5 °F)

Average annual precipitation 1507 mm (59.34 in)

Average June–August precipitation 75 mm (2.94 in)

Average annual snowfall 51 mm (2.0 in)

a Period of record: 5/21/1969 to 4/30/1999 – Dora 2 W, Oregon (352370).
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GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Vegetation

Two primary forest plant associations occur within the RNA: western hemlock/

Oregon oxalis (fig. 3), and western hemlock/evergreen huckleberry (fig. 4; sensu 

McCain and Diaz 2002). Upper side slopes and narrow ridgetops also support a 

western hemlock-Douglas-fir/Pacific rhododendron-Oregongrape plant association. 

This latter community typically occupies south- and west-facing slopes and 

includes small hardwoods such as tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and giant 

chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla) (Franklin et al. 1972). 

About 3.2 km (2 mi) of riparian vegetation occurs along the North Fork and the 

South Fork of Cherry Creek within the RNA. Typical vegetation includes ladyfern 

(Athyrium filix-femina), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), Siberian miner’s lettuce

(Claytonia sibirica), oneleaf foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata), and 

slough sedge (Carex obnupta) (fig. 5).

Figure 3— Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) dominate the forest overstory and western 

swordfern (Polystichum monitum) and Oregon oxalis (Oxalis oregana) occupy major portions of the forest understory within the 

western hemlock/Oregon oxalis plant association.
7

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Figure 4—Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) dominate the forest canopy, and Pacific 

rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) and evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) are well represented in the shrub 

layer within the western hemlock/evergreen huckleberry plant association.

Four 0.1-ha (2.47-ac) long-term monitoring plots were established in 2009 

to quantify forest stand structure and composition. Plots were distributed across 

the full elevation gradient found within the RNA (table 3). Douglas-fir, western 

hemlock, and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) were the dominant overstory trees 

throughout the natural area. Other trees included California laurel (Umbellularia 

californica), and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Douglas-firs averaged 125 to 

175 cm (50 to 70 in) diameter at breast height (d.b.h.)2 and western redcedars averaged 69 to 112 cm (27 to 44 in) d.b.h. Western hemlocks were the most common 

small and mid-sized trees in the understory and midstory based upon d.b.h. Tree 

regeneration was sparse in closed forest stands (table 4).

2

 Diameter at breast height is a measurement taken at 1.47 m above the ground.
8

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Figure 5—Riparian vegetation along the South Fork Cherry Creek with salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), western swordfern 

(Polystichum monitum), and ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina) comprising a major portion of the forest understory vegetation along 

with a variety of less conspicuous but typical herbaceous species.

Table 3—Physiographic attributes of four permanent plots sampled in 

2009, Cherry Creek Research Natural Area

Plot number 990 991 992 993

Elevation (m) 259 342 400 346

Aspect (degrees) 272 244 170 120

Slope grade (degrees) 36 29 16 16

Slope position Lower 1/3 Upper 1/3 Upper 1/3 Upper 1/3
9

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Understory shrub cover was sparse to moderate (table 5). Major tall shrubs 

included Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum), and vine maple 

(Acer circinatum). Low to mid-sized shrubs were locally dominant in small patches. 

These included evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), red huckleberry 

(Vaccinium parvifolium), and Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa). The herbaceous 

understory was low in species diversity and dominated by Oregon oxalis (Oxalis 

oregana) and western swordfern (Polystichum munitum). 

A full list of scientific (FNA 1993+; Oregon Flora Project 2010) and common 

names (USDA NRCS 2010b) for vascular plants (app. 1) and bryophytes and lichens 

(Esslinger 2009, McCune and Geiser 2009, Missouri Botanical Garden 2010; app. 2) 

known or likely to occur within the area is provided at the end of the document.

Table 4–Size class density and median diameters of live trees occurring within four permanent 0.1-ha 

monitoring plots, Cherry Creek Research Natural Area

Plot 990 Plot 991

Small Large Live Median Small Large Live Median

Species saplingsa saplings trees d.b.h. (cm) saplings saplings trees d.b.h. (cm)

TSHEb 0 0 16 20.3 3 0 9 20.1

PSME 0 0 3 145.3 0 0 5 156.0

THPL 0 0 4 107.8 0 0 2 70.1

UMCA 1 1 0 0 1 1 5 14.1

ACMA 0 0 1 32.2 0 0 0 0

Plot 992 Plot 993

Small Large Live Median Small Large Live Median

saplingsa saplings trees d.b.h. (cm) saplings saplings trees d.b.h. (cm)

TSHEb 0 0 28 18.8 0 0 16 25.9

PSME 0 0 4 165.9 0 0 5 124.4

THPL 0 0 4 111.5 0 0 3 69.3

UMCA 0 0 5 31.9 1 0 7 35.6

ACMA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

a Small saplings	=	0.1 to 1.47	m	tall, large saplings	=	<	5	cm diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) and	>	1.47	m	tall; live trees	=	≥	5	cm d.b.h. b

 TSHE = Tsuga heterophylla, PSME = Pseudotsuga menziesii, THPL = Thuja plicata, UMCA = Umbellularia californica, ACMA = 

Acer macrophyllum.
10

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Fauna

Amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals known or expected to occur within the 

RNA are listed in appendix 3. These lists have been derived from field observations 

by local BLM staff and published literature (Csuti et al. 1997). 

Disturbance History

Road construction and maintenance along the RNA boundary have influenced 

adjoining slopes adjacent to the northern boundary. There is no evidence that standreplacing wildfires have affected the site for at least the past 220 years. Similarly, 

there is little evidence of windthrow along the RNA boundary or extensive damage 

to the forest interior from bark beetles such as Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus 

pseudotsugae), or western redcedar bark beetles (Phloeosinus spp.) (Franklin et al. 

1972). 

Elk (Cervus elaphus) heavily use the area and influence the forest understory 

through their browsing and trampling activities (Franklin et al. 1972). 

Table 5—Understory cover and frequency within four permanent vegetation plots, Cherry Creek Research 

Natural Area

TSHE/OXORa b TSHE/VAOV2a b

Plot 990 Plot 991 Plot 992 Plot 993

Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency

Percent

Shrub cover:c

Acer circinatum + — 4 — 2 — —

Berberis nervosae d — — 1 — 1 —

Vaccinium ovatum 3 — 3 — 23 — 16 —

Vaccinium parvifolium 4 — — — —

Rhododendron macrophyllum — — 7 — —

Herb cover and frequency:c

Oxalis oregana 15 75 13 89 3 36

Polystichum munitum 25 75 43 89 12 36 22 68

Streptopus amplexifolius + 4 + 4 

 var. americanus

Trillium ovatum + 4 

Achlys triphylla + 4

Vancouveria hexandra + 4

a

 TSHE = Tsuga heterophylla, OXOR = Oxalis oregana, VAOV2 = Vaccinium ovatum, + = trace (< 0.5 percent foliar cover), — = data not collected. b

 Plant association assigned based on potential vegetation dominants in forest overstory and understory sensu McCain and Diaz (2002).

c

 Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; frequency is expressed in percentage to reflect the proportion of 2 × 5 decimeter microplots in 

which a species occurs compared to the total number of microplots sampled. Zero values are not included.

d

 Some taxonomic authorities use Mahonia nervosa (USDA NRCS 2010c).
11

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Research History

In addition to the vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen field inventories (app. 1, 2, 

and 3) completed for the area, the following research and monitoring projects have 

been undertaken within the Cherry Creek RNA (Greene et al. 1986):

Unpublished vegetation monitoring data. (Schuller, R.; Greene, S.; Sperling, J.; 

Rodenkirk, T. 2009). 

Large wood recruitment and redistribution in headwater streams of the Oregon 

Coast Range, U.S.A. (May, C.L.; Gresswell, R.E. 2003).

Patterns of coarse woody debris in a chronosequence of Douglas-fir stands in the 

western Cascades of Oregon and Washington. (Spies, T.A.; Franklin, J.F.; Thomas, 

T.B. [and others]. 1985).

Cherry Creek stream discharge data. (Oregon Water Resources Department 

1983 to 1996).

Summer water temperature. (Bureau of Land Management, Coos Bay District. 

1997, 1999, and 2000).

Studies on the incidence of coniferous needle endophytes in the Pacific Northwest. 

(Carroll, G.C.; Carroll, F.E. 1978).

The location, composition, and structure of old-growth forests of the Oregon 

Coast Range. (Juday, G.P. 1976).

Maps 

Maps applicable to Cherry Creek RNA: Topographic—Dora, Oregon 7.5 

minute, 1:24,000 scale, 2006; Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District 

transportation map, 15-minute, 1:63,360 scale, 2008.

Acknowledgments

We thank the following people for their time and expertise on the project: John 

Guetterman, geographic information specialist, Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) Coos Bay District, who created the maps that appear as figures 1 and 2; and 

Holly Witt, wildlife biologist, BLM Coos Bay District, for review and improvement 

of the list of animals in appendix 3. We also thank the three manuscript reviewers: 

Todd Wilson, wildlife biologist and research natural area coordinator, U.S. Forest 

Service (USFS), Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station; Susan Carter, botanist, 

BLM Roseville District; and Ron Halvorson (retired), botanist, BLM Prineville 

District. We also acknowledge the BLM Coos Bay District for funding this project 

and the USFS PNW Research Station for publishing this guidebook supplement.
12

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

English Equivalents

1 hectare (ha) = 2.47 acres (ac)

1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 mile (mi)

1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet (ft)

1 centimeter (cm) = 0.394 inch (in)

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.0394 inch

Degrees Celsius (°C) = 0.56 (degrees Fahrenheit – 32)

References

Baldwin, E.M.; Beaulieu, J.D.; Ramp, L.; Gray, J.J.; Newton, V.C., Jr.; Mason, 

R.S. 1973. Geology and mineral resources of Coos County, Oregon. Bulletin 80. 

Portland, OR: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Resources. 82 p.

Carroll, G.C.; Carroll, F.E. 1978. Studies on the incidence of coniferous 

needle endophytes in the Pacific Northwest. Canadian Journal of Botany.

56(24): 3034–3043.

Csuti, B.; Kimerling, A.J.; O’Neil, T.A.; Shaughnessy, M.M.; Gaines, E.P.; 

Huso, M.M.P. 1997. Atlas of Oregon wildlife. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State 

University Press, 427 p. + map.

Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin, J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, G. 

1975. Research natural area needs in the Pacific Northwest:	a	contribution to

land-use planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-38. Portland, OR: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment

Station. 231 p.

Esslinger, T.L. 2009. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous 

and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. North Dakota State 

University: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/esslinge/chcklst/chcklst7.htm 

(First Posted 1 December 1997, Most Recent Version (No. 15) 27 August 2009), 

Fargo, North Dakota. (January 19, 2010).

Flora of North America [FNA]. 1993+. Partial nomenclature of vascular plants, 

ferns, and fern allies within Oregon. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.

aspx?flora_id=1. (November 3, 2006).

Franklin, J.F.; Dyrness, C.T. 1988. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. 

2

nd ed. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. 452 p.
13

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Franklin, J.F.; Hall, F.C.; Dyrness, C.T.; Maser, C. 1972. Federal research 

natural areas in Oregon and Washington: a guidebook for scientists and 

educators. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 498 p.

Greene, S.E.; Blinn, T.; Franklin, J.F. 1986. Research natural areas in Oregon 

and Washington: past and current research and related literature. Gen. Tech. Rep. 

PNW-GTR-197. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 115 p.

Juday, G.P. 1976. The location, composition, and structure of old-growth forests of 

the Oregon Coast Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 206 p. Ph.D. 

dissertation. 206 p.

May, C.L.; Gresswell, R.E. 2003. Large wood recruitment and redistribution 

in headwater streams of the Oregon Coast Range, U.S.A. Canadian Journal of 

Forest Research. 33: 1352–1362.

McCain, C.; Diaz, N. 2002. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the 

Northern Oregon Coast Range. Tech. Pap. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. Portland, 

OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region.

250 p.

McCune, B.; Geiser, L. 2009. Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest.	2nd ed. 

Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. 448 p.

Missouri Botanical Garden. 2010. Tropicos.org. http://www.tropicos.org. 

(January 19, 2010).

Oregon Flora Project. 2010. The Oregon plant atlas. http://www.oregonflora.org/

atlas.php. (February 8, 2010).

Oregon Natural Heritage Program. 2003. Oregon natural heritage plan. Salem, 

OR: Department of State Lands. 167 p.

Oregon Water Resources Department 1983 to 1996. Cherry Creek stream 

discharge data. http://apps2.wrd.state.or.us/apps/sw/hydro_report/gage_data_

request.aspx?station_nbr=14326850. (August 12, 2010).

Schuller, R.; Greene, S.; Sperling, J.; Rodenkirk, T. 2009. Unpublished 

vegetation monitoring data. On file with: Bureau of Land Management,	Coos	

Bay District, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459.
14

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Sperling, J. 2010. Original illustration of Cherry Creek Research Natural Area 

(front cover). On file with: Bureau of Land Management,	Coos	Bay District,

1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459.

Spies, T.A.; Franklin, J.F.; Thomas, T.B. [and others]. 1985. Patterns of coarse 

woody debris in	a	chronosequence of Douglas-fir stands in the western	Cascades	

of Oregon and Washington. [Abstract]. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of 

America. 66: 216. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 

[USDA NRCS]. 2010a. Soil maps from Coos County, Oregon. http://

websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. (January 30, 2010). 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 

[USDA NRCS]. 2010b. Bohannon soil series description. http://www2.ftw.nrcs.

usda.gov/osd/dat/B/BOHANNON.html. (February 2, 2010).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 

[USDA NRCS]. 2010c. Plants database. http://plants.usda.gov/. (February 9, 

2010).

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USDI BLM]. 

1995. Coos Bay District Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan. On 

file with:	Coos	Bay District Office, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459.

97 p + tables and maps.

Western Region Climate Center [WRCC]. 2010. Oregon climate data. Dora 

W, Oregon (352370). Period of record monthly climate summary: 5/21/1969 to 

4/30/1999. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?or2370. (January 14, 

2010).

Wilson, T.M.; Schuller, R.; Holmes, R.; Pavola, C.; Fimbel, R.A.; McCain, 

C.N.; Gamon, J.G.; Speaks, P.; Seevers, J.I.; DeMeo, T.E.; Gibbons, S. 

2009. Interagency strategy for the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas	Network.	

Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-798. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 33 p.
15

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Appendix 1: Plants1 2

Scientific name Common name

Coniferous trees:

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco	 Douglas-fir

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Western yew

Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don Western redcedar

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western hemlock

Deciduous trees >8 m (26.3 ft) tall:

Acer macrophyllum Pursh Bigleaf maple

Alnus rubra Bong. Red alder

Corylus cornuta Marsh var. californica (DC.) Sharp California hazelnut

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Dougl. ex Hook.) Hjelmq. Giant chinquapin

	 Lithocarpus densiflorus (Hook. & Arn.) Rehd. Tanoak

Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt. California laurel

Tall shrubs 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.3 ft) tall:

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

 Philadelphus lewisii Pursh Mock orange

Rhamnus purshiana (DC.) Cooper Cascara buckthorn

Rhododendron macrophyllum D. Don ex G. Don Pacific rhododendron

Salix scouleriana Barratt ex Hook Scouler’s willow

Salix sitchensis Sans. ex Bong. Sitka willow

Sambucus racemosa L. Red elderberry

Medium shrubs 0.5 to 2 m (1.6 to 6.6 ft) tall:

Baccharis pilularis DC. Coyotebrush

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Lonicera hispidula (Lindl.) Dougl. ex Torr. & A. Gray Honeysuckle

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. ex Hook. Stink currant

Ribes sanguineum Pursh	 Red-flowering currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Baldhip rose

Rubus leucodermis Dougl. ex Torr. & A. Gray Whitebark raspberry

Rubus parviflorus Nutt. Thimbleberry

Rubus spectabilis Pursh Salmonberry

Sambucus racemosa L. var. arborescens (Torr. & Gray) A. Gray Red elderberry

Toxicodendron diversilobum (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene Poison oak

Vaccinium ovatum Pursh Evergreen huckleberry 

Vaccinium parvifolium Sm. Red huckleberry

Low shrubs <0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall:

Berberis nervosa Pursh Oregongrape

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schldtl. California dewberry

Herbs (including ferns and allies):

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. Baneberry

Achlys californica I. Fukuda & H.G. Baker California vanilla leaf

Achlys triphylla (Sm.) DC. Vanilla leaf; deer foot

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. American trail plant

Adiantum pedatum L. Maidenhair fern

Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. & Hook. Pearly everlasting

Anemone deltoidea Hook.	 Columbian windflower
16

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Scientific name Common name

 Aquilegia formosa Fisch. ex DC. Red columbine

Asarum caudatum Lindl. Wild ginger

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth Ladyfern

Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm. Deer fern

Cardamine oligosperma T. & G. Little western bittercress

Circaea alpina L. Small enchanter’s nightshade

Cirsium remotifolium (Hook.) DC. Fewleaf thistle

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Bull thistle 

Claytonia sibirica (L.) Howell Siberian miner's lettuce

Corallorhiza maculata (Raf.) Raf. var. maculata Spotted coralroot

 Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. Smooth hawksbeard

 Dicentra formosa (Andr.) Walpers	 Pacific bleeding heart

Digitalis purpurea L. Foxglove

Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs Spinulose woodfern

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. Purple-leaved willowherb

Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. Giant horsetail

Galium aparine L. Stickywilly

Galium triflorum Michx. Sweet scented bedstraw

Gnaphalium sp. Cudweed

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Western rattlesnake plantain

Heuchera micrantha Lindley Small-flowered alumroot

Hieracium albiflorum Hook.	 White-flowered hawkweed

Hydrophyllum tenuipes A. Heller Slender-stem waterleaf

Hypochaeris radicata L. Hairy cat’s-ear

Iris tenax Dougl. Oregon iris

Lotus corniculatus	L.	 Bird’s foot-trefoil

Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link Feathery false lily-of-the-valley

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link Starry false lily-of-the-valley

Marah oreganus (Torr. & Gray) Howell Wild cucumber

Mimulus guttatus DC.	 Common monkeyflower

Mitella caulescens Nutt. Leafy miterwort

Mitella ovalis Greene Coastal miterwort

Monotropa uniflora L. Indianpipe

Montia parvifolia (Moc. ex DC.) Greene Streambank springbeauty

Oxalis oregana Nutt. Oregon oxalis

Oxalis trilliifolia Hook. Three-leaf wood sorrel

Polypodium glycyrrhiza DC. Eat. Licorice fern

 Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl Western swordfern

Prosartes smithii (Hook.) Utech, Shinwari & Kawano Smith's fairybells

Prunella vulgaris L. var. vulgaris Self heal

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Brackenfern

Ranunculus repens L. Creeping buttercup

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don ex G. Don Woodland buttercup

Rumex obtusifolius L. Bitter dock

Selaginella wallacei Hieron. Wallace’s spikemoss

Senecio vulgaris L. Common groundsel

Senecio sp. Groundsel

Sidalcea cusickii Piper Cusick’s checkerbloom

Silene sp.	 Catchfly

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Spiny sowthistle
17

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Scientific name Common name

Stachys sp. Hedgenettle

Stellaria crispa Cham. & Schltdl. Curled starwort

Stellaria longipes Goldie Long-leaved starwort

Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. Clasping twisted stalk

Synthyris reniformis (Douglas ex Benth.) Benth. Snowqueen

Tellima grandiflora (Pursh) Dougl. ex Lindl. Fringecup

Thalictrum occidentale A. Gray Western meadowrue

Tiarella trifoliata L. var. trifoliata Three-leaf foamflower

Tiarella trifoliata L. var. unifoliata (Hook.)	Kurtz	 Oneleaf	foamflower

Tolmiea menziesii (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray Piggy back plant

Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link ssp. arvensis Spreading hedgeparsley

Trientalis borealis Raf. ssp. latifolia (Hook.) Hultén	 Broadleaf starflower

Trifolium sp. Clover

Trillium ovatum Pursh Western trillium

Vancouveria hexandra (Hook.) Morr.	&	Dec.	 Inside-out flower

Viola glabella Nutt. Pioneer violet

Viola sempervirens Greene Redwoods violet

Whipplea modesta Torr. Common whipplea

Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. Common beargrass

Grasses, sedges and rushes:

Agrostis sp. Bentgrass

Alopecurus sp. Foxtail

Bromus vulgaris (Hook.) Shear Columbia brome

Carex hendersonii L.H. Bailey	 Henderson’s sedge

Carex leptopoda Mack. Taperfruit shortscale sedge

Carex obnupta L.H. Bailey Slough sedge

Danthonia californica Bol. California oatgrass

Deschampsia danthonioides (Trin.) Munro Annual hairgrass

Elymus glaucus Buckley Blue wildrye

Festuca occidentalis Hook. Western fescue

Festuca subulata Trin. Bearded fescue

Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc. Fowl mannagrass

Hierochloe occidentalis Buckley California sweetgrass

Holcus lanatus L. Common velvet grass

Lolium perenne L. Perennial ryegrass

Luzula comosa E. Mey.	 Pacific woodrush

Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv.	 Small flowered woodrush

Poa sp. Bluegrass

Scirpus microcarpus J. Presl & C. Presl Panicled bulrush

1 Compiled from 2009 field surveys by J. Sperling, T. Rodenkirk, and R. Schuller.

2

 Nomenclature for vascular plants, ferns, and fern-allies follows the Flora of North America

 (1993+) and the Oregon Flora Project Web site (2010). Common names follow USDA NRCS 

Plants Database (2010c).
18

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Appendix 2: Bryophytes and Lichens1 2

Scientific name Authority

Hornworts:

Anthoceros fusiformis Austin

Liverworts:

Calypogeia azurea Stotler & Crotz

Calypogeia sp. Raddi

Cephalozia bicuspidata (L.) Dumort.

Cephalozia lunulifolia (Dumort.) Dumort

Cephaloziella divaricata (Sm.) Warnst.

Chiloscyphus pallescens (Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) Dumort

Chiloscyphus polyanthos (L.) Corda

Conocephalum conicum (L.) Underw.

Diplophyllum plicatum Lindb.

Frullania nisquallensis Sull.

Gymnomitrion obtusum (Lindb.) Pears.

Lepidozia reptans (L.) Dumort

Lophocolea coadunata (Sw.) Mont.

Lophocolea profunda Nees

Metzgeria conjugata Lindb.

Pellia neesiana (Gottsche) Limpr.

Plagiochila porelloides (Torr. ex Nees) Lindenb.

Porella cordaeana (Hueb.) Moore

Porella navicularis (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Pfeiff.

Porella roellii Stephani

Radula bolanderi Gottsche

Riccardia chamedryfolia (With.) Grolle

	 Riccardia multifida (L.) Gray

Riccardia palmata (Hedw.) Carruth.

Riccardia sp. Gray

Scapania americana K. Müll.

Scapania bolanderi Austin

Scapania undulata (L.) Dumort

Mosses:

Amphidium californicum (Hampe ex C. Müll.) Hal.

Antitrichia curtipendula (Timm ex Hedw.) Brid.

Aulacomnium androgynum (Hedw.) Schwa.

Brachythecium sp. Schimp.

Bryum miniatum Lesq.

Buxbaumia sp. Hedw.

Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid.

Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.

Claopodium bolanderi Best

Claopodium crispifolium (Hook.) Renauld & Cardot

Claopodium whippleanum (Sull.) Renauld & Cardot

Codriophorus aciculare (Hedw.) Pali.

Codriophorus varius (Mitt.) Jaeg.

Codriophorus sp. Beauv.

Dendroalsia abietina (Hook.) Britt.
19

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Scientific name Authority

Dichodontium pellucidum (Hedw.) Schimp.

Dicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. ex Milde

Dicranum fuscescens Turn.

Dicranum howellii Renauld & Cardot

Didymodon vinealis var. vinealis (Brid.) Zand.

Eurhynchium oreganum (Sull.) Jaeg.

Eurhynchium praelongum (Hedw.) Schimp.

Fissidens bryoides Hedw.

Fissidens crispus Mont.

Fissidens ventricosus Lesq.

Grimmia sp. Hedw.

Heterocladium macounii Best

Homalothecium fulgescens (Mitt. ex Müll.) Jaeg.

Homalothecium nuttallii (Wils.) Jaeg.

Hookeria lucens (Hedw.) Sm.

Hygrohypnum luridum (Hedw.) Jenn.

Hypnum circinale Hook.

Hypnum dieckii Renauld & Cardot

Isothecium stoloniferum Brid.

Leucolepis acanthoneura (Schwaegr.) Lindb.

Metaneckera menziesii (Hook. in Drumm.) Steere

Neckera douglasii Hook.

Orthotrichum consimile Mitt.

Orthotrichum lyellii Hook. & Tayl.

Philonotis fontana (Hedw.) Brid.

Plagiomnium insigne (Mitt.) T. Kop.

Plagiomnium venustum (Mitt.) T. Kop.

Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) Schimp.

Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb.

Porotrichum bigelovii (Sull.) Kindb.

Pseudotaxiphyllum elegens (Brid.) Iwats.

Rhizomnium glabrescens (Kindb.) T. Kop.

Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Schistidium strictum (Turner) Loeske

Scleropodium obtusifolium (Mitt.) Kindb.

Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

Lichens:

Alectoria subsarmentosa Stirton

Alectoria vancouverensis (Gyelnik) Gyelnik ex Brodo & D. Hawksw.

Bryoria fuscescens (Gyelnik) Brodo & D. Hawksw.

Cetraria orbata (Nyl.) Fink

Chaenotheca furfuracea (L.) Tibell

Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schr.

Cladonia sp. P. Browne

Hypogymnia enteromorpha (Ach.) Nyl.

Hypogymnia imshaugii Krog

Hypogymnia inactiva (Krog) Ohlsson

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.
20

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Scientific name Authority

Hypogymnia tubulosa (Schaerer) Hav.

Icmadophila ericetorum (L.) Zahlbr.

Leptogium palmatum (Huds.) Mont.

Lobaria oregana (Tuck.) Müll. Arg.

Nephroma helveticum Ach.

Nephroma resupinatum (L.) Ach.

Parmelia sulcata Taylor

Peltigera collina (Ach.) Schrader

Peltigera membranacea (Ach.) Nyl.

Peltigera neopolydactyla (Gyelnik) Gyelnik

Pertusaria subambigens Dibben

Platismatia glauca (L.) Culb. & C. Culb.

Platismatia herrei (Imshaug) Culb & C. Culb.

Ramalina thrausta (Ach.) Nyl.

Sphaerophorus tuckermanii Räsänen

Spaerophorus vernabilis Wedin, Högnabba & Goward

	 Usnea filipendula	 Stirton

Usnea longissima Ach.

Usnea scabrata Nyl.

Usnea sp. Dill. ex Adans.

1 Compiled from 2009 field surveys by J. Sperling and T. Rodenkirk. 

2 Nomenclature follows Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.Tropicos.org (2010) 

database for hornworts, liverworts, and mosses; and Esslinger (2009) for lichens.
21

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Appendix 3: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals1

Family Scientific name Common name

Amphibians: 

Ambystomatidae Ambystoma gracile Northwestern salamander

 Ambystoma macrodactylum Long-toed salamander

Dicamptodontidae Dicamptodon tenebrosus Pacific giant salamander

 Rhyacotriton variegatus Southern torrent salamander

Plethodontidae Aneides ferreus Clouded salamander

 Ensatina eschscholtzi Ensatina

 Plethodon dunni Dunn’s salamander

 Plethodon vehiculum Western redback

Salamandridae Taricha granulosa Rough-skinned newt

Bufonidae Bufo boreas Western toad

Hylidae Pseudacris regilla Pacific chorus frog

Leiopelmatidae Ascaphus truei Tailed frog

Ranidae Rana aurora Red-legged frog

 Rana boylii Foothill yellow-legged frog

 Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog

Reptiles:

Anguidae Elgaria coerulea Northern alligator lizard

Scincidae Eumeces skiltonianus Western skink

Boidae Charina bottae Rubber boa

Colubridae Contia tenuis Sharptail snake

 Diadophis punctatus Ringneck snake

 Thamnophis elegans Western terrestrial garter snake

 Thamnophis ordinoides Northwestern garter snake

 Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake

Birds:2

Ardeidae Ardea herodias Great blue heron

 Butorides virescens Green heron

Anatidae Aix sponsa Wood duck

 Mergus merganser Common merganser

 Lophodytes cucullatus Hooded merganser

Cathartidae Cathartes aura Turkey vulture

Accipitridae Pandion haliaetus Osprey

 Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk

 Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

 Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk

Falconidae Falco sparverius American kestrel

 Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon
22

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Family Scientific name Common name

Phasianidae Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant

 Dendragapus obscurus Blue grouse

 Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse

 Callipepla californica California quail

 Oreortyx pictus Mountain quail

Charadriidae Charadrius vociferous Killdeer

Scolopacidae Actitis macularia Spotted sandpiper

Alcidae Brachyramphus marmoratus Marbled murrelet

Columbidae Columba fasciata Band-tailed pigeon

 Zenaida macroura Mourning dove

Strigidae Otus kennicottii Western screech-owl

 Bubo virginianus Great-horned owl

 Glaucidium gnoma Northern pygmy-owl

 Strix occidentalis Spotted owl

 Strix varia Barred owl

 Aegolius acadicus Northern saw-whet owl

Caprimulgidae Chordeiles minor Common nighthawk

Apodidae Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

Trochilidae Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird

 Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird

Alcedinidae Ceryle alcyon Belted kingfisher

Picidae Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted sapsucker

 Picoides pubescens Downy woodpecker

 Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker

 Colaptes auratus Northern flicker

 Dryocopus pileatus Pileated woodpecker

Tyrannidae Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher

 Contopus sordidulus Western wood peewee

 Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher

 Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher

 Empidonax	difficilis	 Pacific-slope flycatcher

 Tyrannus verticalis Western kingbird

Hirundinidae Hirundo pyrrhonota Cliff swallow

 Hirundo rustica Barn swallow

 Progne subis Purple martin

 Tachycineta bicolor Tree swallow

 Tachycineta thalassina Violet-green swallow

Corvidae Perisoreus canadensis Gray jay

 Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

 Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

 Corvus corax Common raven

Paridae Parus atricapillus Black-capped chickadee

 Parus rufescens Chestnut-backed chickadee
23

Cherry Creek Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 41

Family Scientific name Common name

Aegithalidae Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit

Sittidae Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch

Certhiidae Certhia americana Brown creeper

Troglodytidae Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren

 Troglodytes aedon House wren

 Troglodytes troglodytes Winter wren

Cinclidae Cinclus mexicanus American dipper

Muscicapidae Chamaea fasciata Wrentit

 Catharus guttatus Hermit thrush

 Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush

 Ixoreus naevius Varied thrush

 Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire

 Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned kinglet

 Sialia mexicana Western bluebird

 Turdus migratorius American robin

Bombycillidae Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar waxwing

Vireonidae Vireo cassinii Cassin’s vireo

 Vireo gilvus Warbling vireo

 Vireo huttonii Hutton’s vireo

Emberizidae Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler

 Dendroica petechia Yellow warbler

 Dendroica nigrescens Black-throated gray warbler

 Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warbler

 Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco

 Melospiza melodia Song sparrow

 Molothrus ater Brown-headed cowbird

 Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler

 Passerella iliaca Fox sparrow

 Pheucticus meelanocephalus Black-headed grosbeak

 Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee

 Piranga rubra Western tanager

 Spizella passerina Chipping sparrow

 Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

 Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow

Fringillidae Carduelis pinus Pine siskin

 Carduelis tristis American goldfinch

 Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening grosbeak

 Loxia curvirostra Red crossbill

Mammals:

Didelphidae Didelphis virginiana Virginia opossum

Soricidae Sorex sonomae Fog shrew

 Sorex	pacificus	 Pacific shrew

 Sorex bendirii Pacific marsh shrew

 Sorex trowbridgii Trowbridge’s shrew

 Neurotrichus gibbsii Shrew-mole
24

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-834

Family Scientific name Common name

Vespertilionidae Myotis volans Long-legged myotis

 Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis

 Myotis evotis Long-eared myotis

 Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat

 Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat

Leporidae Sylvilagus bachmani Brush rabbit

Aplodontidae Aplodontia rufa Mountain beaver

Sciuridae Tamias townsendii Townsend’s chipmunk

 Sciurus griseus Western gray squirrel

 Tamiasciurus douglasii Douglas’ squirrel

 Glaucomys sabrinus Northern flying squirrel

Castoridae Castor canadensis American beaver

Muridae Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse

 Neotoma fuscipes Dusky-footed woodrat

 Neotoma cinerea Bushy-tailed woodrat

 Clethrionomys californicus Western red-backed vole

 Phenacomys albipes White-footed vole

 Phenacomys longicaudus Red tree vole

 Microtus longicaudus Long-tailed vole

 Microtus oregoni Creeping vole

Dipodidae Zapus trinotatus Pacific jumping mouse

Erethizontidae Erethizon dorsatum Common porcupine

Canidae Canis latrans Coyote

 Urocyon cinereoargenteus Common gray fox

Ursidae Ursus americanus Black bear

Procyonidae Procyon lotor Common raccoon

Mustelidae Martes americana American marten

 Mustela erminea Ermine

 Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel

 Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk

 Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk

Felidae Felis concolor Mountain lion

 Lynx rufus Bobcat

Cervidae Cervus elaphus Elk

 Odocoileus hemionus ssp. columbianus Black-tailed deer

1

 Nomenclature taken from Csuti et al. 1997.

2

 List partially compiled by 2009 field surveys by T. Rodenkirk and supplemented by habitat and distribution 

information in Csuti et al. 1997. Atlas of Oregon wildlife. 
Pacific Northwest Research Station

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw

Telephone (503) 808-2592

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 Pacific Northwest Research Station

 P.O. Box 3890

 Portland, OR 97208-3890
U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Pacific Northwest Research Station

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P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890

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