High Peak/Moon Creek

Research Natural Area

Guidebook Supplement 30

Reid Schuller 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General Technical

Report

PNW-GTR-673

December 2006
Authors

Reid Schuller is a consulting plant ecologist living in Bend, Oregon. The PNW

Research Station is publishing this guidebook as part of a continuing series of

guidebooks on federal research natural areas begun in 1972.

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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its pro-grams and

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable sex,

marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation genetic information,

political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any

public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,

large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice

and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) 

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

Schuller, Reid. 2006. High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area: guidebook 

supplement 30. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-673. Portland, OR: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.

25 p.

This guidebook describes the High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area, a

617.5-ha (1,526-ac) tract of coniferous forest containing stands dominated by 100-

to 150-year-old Douglas-fir, a small old-growth (500+ years) Douglas-fir stand, and

riparian vegetation within the western hemlock zone of the Coast Range in western

Oregon.

Keywords: Research natural area, fire-initiated Douglas-fir forest, old-growth 

forest, Oregon Coast Range.
Preface

The research natural area (RNA) described in this supplement1 is administered by 

the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of the Interior. The

BLM/Salem District office has RNA program administrative responsibility, and the

Tillamook Resource Area has on-the-ground management responsibility for the

RNA. Scientists and educators wishing to visit or use the RNA for scientific or

educational purposes should contact the Tillamook Resource Area, Area of Critical

Environmental Concern Coordinator 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.

High Peak/Moon Creek RNA is part of a federal system of such tracts established for research and educational purposes. Each RNA constitutes a site where

natural features 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 rare and 

endangered types.

The federal system is outlined in A Directory of the Research Natural Areas on

Federal Lands of the United States of America.

2

Of the 96 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). Supplements to the guidebook such as

this publication constitute additions to the system.

The guiding principle in management of RNAs is to prevent unnatural

encroachments or activities that directly or indirectly modify ecological processes

or conditions. Logging and uncontrolled grazing are not allowed, for example, nor

1 Supplement No. 30 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 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. [Irregular pagination].
3 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.

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. In return, a scientist

wishing to use an RNA is obligated to:

• Obtain permission from the appropriate administering agency before using the

area.3

• 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 these limitations is to:

• Ensure that the scientific and educational values of the tract are not impaired.

• Accumulate a documented body of knowledge and information about the tract.

• Avoid conflict between studies and activities.

Research must be essentially nondestructive; destructive analysis of vegetation is

generally not allowed, nor are studies requiring extensive modification of the forest

floor or extensive excavation of soil. Collection of plant and animal specimens

should be restricted to the minimum necessary to provide voucher specimens and

other research needs. Under no circumstances may collecting significantly reduce

populations of species. Collecting also must be carried out in accordance with

agency regulations. Within these broad guidelines, appropriate uses of RNAs are

determined by the administering agency.
Contents

1 Introduction

1 Access and Accommodations

2 Environment

3 Climate

4 Vegetation

11 Fauna

12 Disturbance History

12 Research History

13 Maps and Aerial Photography

13 English Equivalents

13 References

16 Appendix 1: Plants

21 Appendix 2: Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Fish, and Mammals
Introduction

The High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) is a 617.5-ha (1,526-ac)

tract of coniferous forest containing stands of 100- to 150-year-old Douglas-fir

(Pseudotsuga menziesii), (See app. 1 for a complete list of scientific and common

names of plant species), a small, old-growth (500+ years) Douglas-fir dominated

stand, and riparian vegetation within the western hemlock zone of the northern

Oregon Coast Range (Franklin and Dyrness 1973, USDI BLM 1996).

High Peak/Moon Creek RNA supports a representative cross section of forest

associations that span low to mid elevations in the northern Oregon Coast Range.

The majority of the area is dominated by stands that have developed following

wildfires in the late 19th century. Overstory tree ages, for the most part, are within

the 100- to 150-year-old age class. Douglas-fir is the dominant overstory species

throughout the RNA.

A small stand of over 500-year-old Douglas-fir with a western hemlock (Tsuga

heterophylla) subcanopy and regeneration layer occurs within the northwestern portion of the tract. Riparian vegetation at lower elevations within the RNA is dominated by red alder (Alnus rubra), and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Western

redcedar (Thuja plicata) occupies mesic sites slightly elevated from riparian areas

along with Douglas-fir and western hemlock.

The High Peak/Moon Creek RNA was established in 1983 as a research natural

area and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The RNA is administered by the Salem District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and managed by the Tillamook Resource Area, BLM.

Access and Accommodations

High Peak/Moon Creek RNA is located approximately 11 air miles south-southeast 

of Tillamook, Oregon, in Tillamook County. The site occupies all or portions of 

T. 2 S, R. 8 W sec. 32, 33; and T. 3 S, R. 8 W, sec. 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9, Willamette

Meridian.

The site may be accessed from the west by using county and BLM roads (fig.

1). Approximately 11 mi. (17.7 km) south of Tillamook, turn east off of U.S. Highway 101 onto East Beaver Creek Road. Proceed east for 7.7 mi (12.4 km), then

turn right and cross a bridge. Proceed uphill on the main road to the “Y” intersection 0.9 mi from the bridge. Take the left fork (3-8-6) at the “Y” and proceed

another 1.9 mi to a landing (dead end) and park your vehicle. This route provides

access to the central parts of the RNA in sec. 5, T. 3 S, R. 8 W. Before attempting

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

1
to access the site, contact the BLM Tillamook Resource Area office in Tillamook 

to obtain permission to use the RNA and for current road and traffic information.

There are no developed trails within the site. Cross country foot travel is difficult because of steep slopes, and heavy shrub cover in some areas. A choice of

nearby lodging accommodations is available in Tillamook, Oregon.

Environment

The High Peak/Moon Creek RNA ranges in elevation from 165 to 908 m (540 to 

2,980 ft). Moon Creek is a first- and second-order watershed containing headwaters

and much of the upper reaches within the site boundary. A small portion of the

headwaters of Beaver Creek are also included where it flows northwest off a portion of the ridge connecting High Peak to Grindstone Mountain (see fig. 1). The

entire area is within the Nestucca River Watershed.

The geologic setting of the RNA owes its origin to the Tillamook Volcanics of

the upper middle Eocene. Composing a major part of the Tillamook Highlands, the

2

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

Figure 1—High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) boundary and access.
Tillamook Volcanics are a largely basaltic subaerial flow sequence forming the

rugged topography of the area today. These flows consist of high titanium tholeiitic

to alkaic subaerial basalt and lesser dacite and rhyolite resting on a submarine

apron of pillow basalt and breccia and basalt lapilli tuff (Wells et al. 1995).

Terrain is rugged with deeply incised drainages. Slopes are typically steep and

comprise a 360o range of aspects. Landslides are prevalent in the surrounding landscape as well as within the RNA boundary (see “Disturbance History” section).

Soils in the RNA have provisionally been mapped as of 2005 (Fillmore and

Shipman, n.d.). Sixty percent of the area is provisionally mapped as KlistanHarslow-Hemcross complex, 60 to 90 percent slopes. Collectively, these series are

classified as deep to very deep, well drained, and occur from 61 to 671 m (200 to

2,200 ft) elevation on summits, benches, and sideslopes of mountains. Parent material is colluvium from basalt or tuff. Their taxonomic class is Medial-skeletal, 

ferrihydritic, mesic Alic Hapludands. Another 20 percent of the area is provisionally mapped as Caterl-Laderly-Murtip complex, 60 to 90 percent slopes. As a complex, these soils are moderately to very deep, well drained, and occur above 549 m

(1,800 ft) elevation on summits, benches,and sideslopes of high mountains. Parent

material is colluvium and residuum from basalt or tuff. Their taxonomic class is

Medial to medial-skeletal, ferrihydritic, frigid Alic Hapludands. A variety of other

soil mapping units and series make up the remaining 20 percent of the RNA

(Fillmore and Shipman, n.d.).

Soils that formed in colluvium derived from igneous materials associated with

geologic rock units such as Tillamook Volcanics commonly have low bulk density,

high liquid limit, low plasticity, and high cation exchange capacity (Fillmore and

Shipman, n.d.).

Climate

A majority of the High Peak/Moon Creek RNA lies within the wet, mild climate 

typical of the Tsuga heterophylla Zone (Franklin and Dyrness 1973). The climate 

is strongly maritime, owing to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Summers are

usually dry and warm with the June-August period receiving about 5 percent of the

total annual precipitation. Winters are typically cool and wet. The majority of precipitation occurs during the November-March period; mostly in the form of rain

below 549 m (1,800 ft) elevation. High winter precipitation results in extensive

leaching of bases and in low base saturation. Above 549 m (1,800 ft), snow may

cover the area with average monthly snow depth in excess of 51 mm (2 in) occurring from November through April. Average monthly maximum snow depth of 254

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

3
mm (10 in) occurs in January. In summer, the soils at the higher elevations dry out

for brief periods (Fillmore and Shipman, n.d.).

Meteorological data from the nearest climatic station of comparable elevation

and distance from the Pacific Ocean are taken from Laurel Mountain. These data

were collected from 1978 to 2005. The Laurel Mountain station is located on the

mountain summit at 1094 m (3,589 ft) elevation, approximately 46 km (28.6 miles)

south-southeast of the RNA (Western Regional Climate Center 2006).

Average Minimum January Temperature -0.8° C (30.5° F)

Average Maximum January Temperature 4.4° C (40° F)

Average Minimum July Temperature 9.3° C (48.7° F)

Average Maximum July Temperature 18.7° C (65.6° F)

Average Annual Precipitation 3100 mm (122.03 in)

Average June-August Precipitation 160 mm (6.30 in)

Average Annual Snowfall 2982 mm (117.4 in)

Vegetation

The entire RNA lies within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone described by Franklin and 

Dyrness (1973). Forest plant associations of the northern Oregon Coast Range have

been classified and described by Hemstrom and Logan (1986) and more recently

by McCain and Diaz (2002).

The High Peak/Moon Creek RNA is characterized by mature coniferous forest

stands. Figure 2 illustrates the age-class distribution of forest communities within

the RNA. Stands in the 80- to 160-year-old age class predominate. Less than 5 percent of the RNA currently supports forested stands <80 years of age. One area on

the eastern RNA boundary owes its recent origin to recovery from the historic

Tillamook Burns of 1933-51. Sites mapped as “nonforested” represent a composite

of rock outcroppings, talus, and riparian areas. Collectively they occupy less than 5

percent of the RNA (USDI BLM 1994).

Tree age data were collected from three tall trees within each of four permanent plots established within the RNA in 2005. Tree cores indicate that the 100- 

to 150-year-old age class is well represented within the plots, and, based on tree

heights and diameters, this age class is prevalent throughout the large majority of

the site. Diameters at core height ranged between 44 and 113 cm (17 and 44 in).

Tree ages ranged from 90 years old in the smallest diameter tree to 146 years old 

in the largest diameter tree. The median diameter and age for the group (n = 12)

were 84 cm (33 in) and 125 years old, respectively.

4

The 100- to 150-yearold coniferous forest

is well represented.

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
Shrub and herb vegetation varies with elevation, aspect, slope, and soil conditions. Appendix 1 lists vascular plants by scientific and common names and is

arranged by life form. The list includes species known to occur within the RNA as

well as species expected to occur within the area based on potential habitats, elevation, aspect, soils, and climate. Species are also included if they have been identified elsewhere within the Nestucca River watershed in comparable habitats (USDI

BLM 1994).

Douglas-fir is the most common and widespread overstory tree throughout the

site. Western hemlock is also a widespread tree, occupying the regeneration layer

or the subcanopy. Other conifers such as western redcedar and Sitka spruce (Picea

sitchensis) are present in a few areas. Red alder and bigleaf maple are locally abundant adjacent to riparian areas and along road edges and other recently disturbed

areas.

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

5

Figure 2—Stand age class distribution in High Peak/Moon Creek Area of Critical Environmental

Concern/Research Natural Area.
Typical tall shrubs include vine maple (Acer circinatum), cascara (Rhamnus

purshiana), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and red elderberry (Sambucus

racemosa var. arborescens). The 0.5- to 2-m-tall, medium shrub layer includes red

huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium), blue huckleberry (V. ovalifolium), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), thimbleberry (R. parviflorus), salal (Gaultheria shallon),

and various species of currant (Ribes spp.). Low Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa)

is widespread and abundant in the low shrub layer throughout the area.

Common understory herbaceous species include redwood sorrel (Oxalis 

oregana), candyflower (Claytonia sibirica), starry false Solomonseal

(Maianthemum stellatum), false lily-of-the-valley (M. dilatatum), and Hooker’s

fairybells (Prosartes hookeri). A variety of ferns are also a conspicuous component

of the herb layer: western swordfern (Polystichum munitum), ladyfern (Athyrium

filix-femina), and deerfern (Blechnum spicant).

Tables 1 and 2 summarize the physical features, plant association, and understory composition and frequency of four permanent plots established in 2005. Plots

747, 748, and 750 represent examples of the western hemlock/Oregon oxalis

(Tsuga heterophylla/Oxalis oregana-Northwest Oregon Coast) plant association as

defined by McCain and Diaz (2002). This plant association occurs throughout the

Coast Range on moist, shaded sites. Stands are located on flat to steep slopes on a

variety of slope positions. This association ranges from 67 to 689 m (200 to 2,260

ft) elevation on a variety of aspects. Soil depth averages 127 cm (50 in) with 94 cm

(37 in) of effective rooting depth. The shrub layer is sparse with tall shrubs averaging 22 percent cover and low shrubs averaging only 4 percent cover (McCain and

Diaz 2002). Figure 3 illustrates understory conditions with this plant association. 

In the Oregon Coast Range, this association occurs along the more mesic parts of

the precipitation gradient and falls in an intermediate position along the temperature gradient compared to other associations within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone

(McCain and Diaz 2002).

Plot 749 exemplifies the western hemlock/western swordfern (Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Northwest Oregon Coast) plant association (McCain

and Diaz 2002). This plant association occurs on productive sites throughout the

Coast Range, especially in the south. Stands occupy flat to steep slopes on all slope

positions and aspects. Elevations range from 67 to 689 m (200 to 2,260 ft). Soils

are well drained but receive continuous subsurface moisture. They are usually deep

and rich in organic matter. This association has the sparsest shrub layer in the western hemlock series, with tall shrubs averaging 12 percent cover and low shrubs

6

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
Table 2—Plant association, understory coverage, and frequency of four permanent plots in the High 

Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

Plant Association

TSHE/OXORa b TSHE/OXOR TSHE/POMU TSHE/OXOR

(plot 747) (plot 748) (plot 749) (plot 750)

Species Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency

Percent

Shrub coverc

Berberis nervosad 1

Vaccinium parvifolium 1

Rosa gymnocarpa tre

Herb cover and frequencyc

Oxalis oreganad 56 100 41 96 11 79 69 96

Polystichum munitum 3 7 19 61 57 79 16 39

Claytonia sibirica 5 68 1 7 6 34

Coptis laciniata 1 11

Athyrium filix-femina 3 7

Maianthemum stellatum tr 4 1 11

Maianthemum dilatatum tr 7 tr 4

Listera cordata tr 4

Viola glabella tr 4

Anemone deltoidea tr 4

Prosartes hookeri 14 1 7

Trisetum cernuum tr 4 tr 14

Trillium ovatum 1 4

Trientalis latifolia tr 4

Pteridium aquilinum tr 4

Hesperostipa comata 1 14

Mimulus guttatus tr 4

Blechnum spicant tr 4

Galium triflorum tr 4

a TSHE-Tsuga heterophylla, OXOR-Oxalis oregana, POMU-Polystichum munitum.

b Plant association names all have a suffix, NWO Coast, which differentiates them from plant associations having similar 

names that occur in the Oregon Cascades sensu McCain and Diaz (2002).

c Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; frequency is expressed as percentage of relative frequency. Zero values 

are not included.

d See appendix 1 for a listing of scientific names matched with their common name equivalent.

e tr = trace (<0.5 percent foliar cover).

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

7

Table 1—Physical features of four permanent plots in the High Peak/Moon Creek Research 

Natural Area

Plot number

747 748 749 750

Physical features:

Elevation (m) 713 649 530 518

Aspect (°) 340 170 200 80

Slope grade (%)/(°) 49/26 40/22 60/31 51/27

Landform Upper 1/3 slope Upper 1/3 slope Upper 1/3 slope Upper 1/3 slope
averaging 6 percent cover. Herbaceous cover is dominated by western swordfern.

The western hemlock/western swordfern plant association occurs in an intermediate

position along the precipitation gradient and on the warmer end of the temperature

gradient (McCain and Diaz 2002). Figure 4 shows an example of the understory

conditions of this plant association. 

One small stand of old-growth Douglas-fir (500+ years old) and western 

hemlock contrasts with the younger, fire-initiated stands typical of the RNA. Oldgrowth stands are increasingly uncommon in the northern Oregon Coast Range

owing primarily to widespread timber harvesting over the past century and to largescale wildfires. The Moon Creek old-growth stand is the last remaining stand in an

area extending from 16 km (10 mi) south of Mount Hebo to the north end of the old

Tillamook Burn. Less than 1 percent of the Nestucca River watershed is forested

by stands in excess of 130 years. Scarcity of late-seral-stage habitat is the major

8

One old-growth

Douglas-fir stand

contrasts with the

younger stands 

typical of the RNA.

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

Figure 3—Western hemlock/Oregon oxalis (Tsuga heterophylla/Oxalis oregana-Northwest Oregon

Coast) plant association with mature Douglas-fir overstory mixed with western hemlock in the subcanopy and reproduction size classes. Oregon oxalis is abundant and western swordfern is scattered

throughout the herbaceous groundcover. Taken from plot 750 (see TSHE/OXOR in table 2).
factor contributing to declining population viability of many species of wildlife and

plants (USDI BLM 1994). The few remaining stands of old growth and contiguous

late-seral-stage habitat are important today for habitat-dependent species with low

mobility or small home ranges. They are also important to scientists, educators, and

land managers as research areas and as unique outdoor educational laboratories that

can inform us about the long-term history of the land and provide perspective on

future landscape management options.

Gray (2005) characterized the structure and composition of the Moon Creek

old-growth stand in order to provide information on potential desired future conditions for younger forests in late-successional reserves (USDA and USDI 1994).

Table 3 summarizes vegetation understory conditions based upon a 1-ha (2.47-ac)

plot design used for Continuous Vegetation Survey by the BLM in western Oregon. 

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

9

Figure 4—Western hemlock/western swordfern (Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Northwest

Oregon Coast) plant association supports large Douglas-fir with western hemlock reproduction in the

subcanopy. Western swordfern is the dominant species in the ground layer, and Oregon oxalis is present in minor amounts along with western trillium (Trillium ovatum) and starry false Solomonseal

(Maianthemum stellatum). Taken from plot 749 (see TSHE/POMU in table 2).
10

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

Table 3—Understory composition of a 500-year old 

Douglas-fir/western hemlock stand within the High 

Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

Cover Frequency 

Percent 

Shrubs:

Acer circinatum 12 100

Berberis nervosa 4 67

Menziesia ferruginea tr 33

Rhamnus purshiana 1 33

Ribes sp. tr 33

Rosa gymnocarpa 1 33

Rubus parviflorus tr 33

Rubus spectabilis 1 67

Rubus ursinus tr 33

Vaccinium parvifolium 1 100

Herbs:

Anaphalis margaritacea tr 33

Asarum caudatum tr 33

Campanula scouleri tr 33

Claytonia sibirica tr 33

Dicentra formosa tr 33

Digitalis purpurea tr 33

Galium triflorum 1 67

Hieracium albiflorum tr 33

Maianthemum dilatutum tr 33

Maianthemum stellatum tr 33

Marah oreganus tr 33

Mimulus dentatus tr 33

Moneses uniflora tr 33

Mycelis muralis tr 33

Oxalis oregana 28 100

Prosartes hookeri tr 33

Senecio jacobaea 1 33

Stachys mexicana tr 67

Streptopus amplexifolius tr 33

Tiarella trifoliata 1 67

Trientalis latifolia tr 67

Trillium ovatum tr 67

Viola sempervirens 1 33

Ferns:

Adiantum pedatum 1 100

Blechnum spicant 2 67

Polypodium glycyrrhiza tr 33

Polystichum munitum 40 100

Sources: Gray 2005, USDI BLM 1997.
Comparison between the old-growth stand sampled by Gray (2005) with four 

0.1-ha (0.25-ac) plots established in 2005 in the 100- to 150-year age class is limited

by the lack of randomization and the variation in plot size and sampling protocol.

However, some general patterns merit comment. Examination of tables 2 and 3

suggests that percentages of cover and frequency are higher for shrubs in the oldgrowth plot than in the 100- to 150-year-old stands. Shrub species richness (number of species) is also higher in the old-growth plot. Understory herbaceous species

richness is also slightly higher in the old-growth plot. It is unclear if these differences are a result of stand age, disturbance history, or differences in habitat and

plant association characteristics.

The most prominent differences between the old-growth stand and the 100- 

to 150-year-old stands are tree size, density, and reproduction patterns. The oldgrowth stand supported 18 live Douglas-fir with diameters at breast height (d.b.h.)

ranging between 155 and 255 cm (61 and 100 in). In the 100- to 150-year-old plots,

live Douglas-fir were considerably smaller and ranged from 35 to 115 cm (14- to 

45-in) d.b.h. Douglas-fir reproduction in the 5- to 25-cm (2- to 10-in) diameter

classes was absent in both the 100- to 150-year-old stands and in the old-growth

stands. Reproduction in the smaller diameter classes was almost entirely western

hemlock in both stands. However, reproduction in the 5- to 25-cm (2- to 10-in)

diameter classes was about three times as much in the old-growth stand (possibly 

a result of nurse-log reproduction on downed trees). The overstory trees in the 100-

to 150-year-old stands were all Douglas-fir, these being roughly half the diameter

of the Douglas-fir overstory trees in the old-growth stand. Western hemlock dominance in the subcanopy of the old-growth stand is reflected in the moderate representation of individuals in the 65- to 155-cm (26- to 61-in) diameter class (Gray

2005). Western hemlock was present, but only as a minor component of the midcanopy and subcanopy in the 100- to 150-year-old stands in the 65- to 85-cm 

(26- to 33-in) d.b.h. diameter classes.

Fauna

Reptiles, amphibians, freshwater and anadromous fish, birds, and mammals known 

or expected to occur within the RNA are listed in appendix 2. These lists have been

compiled from a combination of field observations and published literature. Taken

together, they represent an informed approximation (best approximation using multiple sources) of species expected to occur within or use the RNA for portions of

their life cycles (Csuti et al. 1997, USDI BLM 1994). 

Some differences

exist between 

mature and oldgrowth Douglas-fir

stands.

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

11
Disturbance History

The Oregon Coast Range is characterized by a pattern of large-scale, infrequent 

stand-replacement fires typical of cool moist climates where lightning is uncommon. Many of theses fires are larger than 8094 ha (20,000 ac) and occur between

150 and 300 years (Agee 1990). During long periods of drought (measured in

years), lightning storms couple with high winds to create the potential for highintensity fire events. This can lead to extensive stand-destroying crown fires (Agee

1993). Large fires such as the 1933 Tillamook Fire are clearly part of the recent

historical record. Almost all coniferous forests within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone

(such as that in the northern Oregon Coast Range) are first- or multigeneration

stands originating from fire. In the absence of stand-destroying fire over hundreds

of years, Douglas-fir will eventually die out and western hemlock will play an

increasingly important role, especially in more mesic sites (Agee 1993).

Although the Oregon coast and Coast Range can receive storm winds exceeding 161 km per hour (100 mph), there is no evidence that large-scale windthrow

has occurred within the RNA. Similarly, there is no evidence of catastrophic damage within the RNA resulting from insects or disease.

A combination of Tillamook Volcanics bedrock, steep slopes, shallow soils,

weak rock, and high rainfall combine to produce extensive debris slides and flows

within the Moon Creek subwatershed, expecially in its upper reaches. A 1988-89

inventory of Moon Creek subwatershed identified 170 active debris slides and

debris flows. Eighty-five percent of these have been attributed to roads and timber

harvest activities (USDI BLM 1994). 

Research History

Monitoring studies were conducted to assess distribution, habitat, population 

status, and trend for Oregon fetid adder’s-tongue (Scoliopus hallii) (Scofield 1979-

1984). Similar studies were conducted for withered bluegrass (Poa marcida) as part

of a statewide geographic assessment of the species status (Scofield 1987-1991).

Although results were inconclusive, generally both species were determined to be

more abundant within their respective ranges in Oregon than previously known.

In 1997 and 1998, Gray (2005) established a plot in the old-growth stand within the RNA to characterize old-growth conditions (see discussion in “Vegetation”

section of this report and table 3).

12

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
Four permanent vegetation plots were established in 2005 to characterize and

monitor change in forest composition and structure within the 100- to 150-year-old

age class, the most common and widespread age class within the RNA (the project

summarized, in part, in table 3.) Data are on file at the Salem District office of the

BLM.

Maps and Aerial Photography

Maps—applicable to High Peak/Moon Creek RNA: Topographic—Blaine 7.5

minute 1:24,000 scale; BLM Salem District Westside Recreation Map 1:10,560

1996. Aerial Photography—2003 color 1:12,000.

English Equivalents

1 hectare (ha) = 2.47 acres (ac)

1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles (mi)

1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet (ft)

1 centimeter (cm) = 0.394 inch (in)

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.0394 inch (in)

°Celsius (°C) = 1.8 x °C + 32 °Fahrenheit (°F)

References

Agee, J.K. 1990. The historical role of fire in Pacific Northwest forests. In: 

Walstad, J.; Radosevich, S.; Sandberg, D., eds. Natural and prescribed fire in

Pacific Northwest forests. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 25-38.

Agee J.K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest forests. Washington, DC: 

Island Press. 493 p.

Brodo, I.M.; Sharnoff, S.D.; Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. New 

Haven and London: Yale University Press. 795 p.

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.

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.

Fillmore, M.H.; Shipman, J.A. [N.d.] Soil Survey of Tillamook County,

Oregon. Internal report. On file with: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural

Resources Conservation Service, 6415 Signal St., Tillamook, OR 97141-9622.

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

13
Flora of North America. 2006. Partial nomenclature of vascular plants, ferns, 

and fern allies within Oregon. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?

flora_id=1. (August 11, 2006).

Franklin, J.F.; Dyrness, C.T. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington.

Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-8. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest

Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 417 p.

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.

Gray, A. 2005. Old-growth forest plots in RNAs/ACECs of the Salem BLM 

District. 6 p. Unpublished report. On file with: USDI Bureau of Land

Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306.

Hemstrom, M.A.; Logan, S.E. 1986. Plant association and management guide: 

Siuslaw National Forest. Tech. Pap. R6-ECOL 220-1986B. Portland, OR: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 

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.

Missouri Botanical Garden. 2006. Current [partial] nomenclature of vascular 

plants, ferns, and fern allies within Oregon. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT

/tropicos/most/welcome.shtml. (August 11, 2006).

Oregon Flora Project. 2006. The Oregon plant atlas. Current nomenclature of 

vascular plants, ferns, and fern allies within Oregon. http://www.oregonflora.

org/oregonplantatlas.html. (July 30, 2006).

Scofield, L.R. 1979-1984, Unpublished monitoring data on Scoliopus hallii. On 

file with: USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem,

OR 97306. 

Scofield, L.R. 1987-1991, Unpublished data on Poa marcida. On file with: USDI 

Bureau of Land Management,1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306.

14

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the 

Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USDA and USDI]. 1994. Record of

decision for amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management

planning documents within the range of the northern spotted owl. [Place of

publication unknown.]. 74 p. [Plus attachment A: standards and guidelines].

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

1994. Pilot watershed analysis for the Nestucca River. BLM/OR/WA/PT95/005+1792. Portland, OR: Oregon/Washington State Office. 220 p.

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

1996. Research natural areas in Washington and Oregon. 2nd ed. BLM/OR/

WA/PL-96/016+1792. Portland, OR: Oregon/Washington State Office. 74 p.

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

1997. Inventory and monitoring system, current vegetation survey field procedures, Natural Resources Inventory, Oregon/Washington. Version BLM_2.00z.

Portland, OR.

Wells, R.E.; Snavely, P.D., Jr.; MacLeod, N.S.; Kelly, M.M.; Parker, M.J.; 

Fenton, J.S.; Felger, T.J. 1995. Geologic map of the Tillamook Highlands,

Northwest Oregon Coast Range: a digital database. Open-File Report 95-670.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-670/tilgeo_ps.pdf. (February 15, 2006).

Western Region Climate Center. 2006. Oregon climate data. http://www.wrcc. 

dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?orlaur. (February 15, 2006).

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

15
Appendix 1: Plants1 2

Scientific name Common name

Coniferous trees:

Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. Sitka spruce

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco Douglas-fir

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Western yew

Thuja plicata Donn. 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

Prunus emarginata (Dougl.) Walp. Bitter cherry

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

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Serviceberry

Aruncus sylvester Kostel. Goatsbeard

Corylus cornuta L. var. californica (DC.) Hazelnut

Sharp

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

Malus fusca Schneid. Pacific crab apple

Oemleria cerasiformis Torr. & Gray Indian plum

ex Hook. & Arn.

Rhamnus purshiana DC. Cascara

Salix sp. Willow

Sambucus racemosa L. var. arborescens Red elderberry

(Torr. & Gray) Gray

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

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Menziesia ferruginea Smith False huckleberry

Oplopanax horridus (Smith) Miq. Devilsclub

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. ex Hook. Stink currant

Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Black gooseberry, prickly

currant

Ribes sanguineum Pursh Red-flowering currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Baldhip rose

Rubus parviflorus Nutt. Thimbleberry

Rubus spectabilis Pursh Salmonberry

Spiraea douglasii Hook. Hardhack, Douglas spirea

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake Snowberry

Vaccinium ovalifolium Smith Blue huckleberry

Vaccinium parvifolium Smith Red huckleberry

Low shrubs <0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall:

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Kinnikinnick, common 

bearberry

16

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

1 Compiled by: Kurt Heckeroth, Jaye Rhodes, and Reid Schuller. 2 Nomenclature for vascular plants, ferns, and fern-allies follows the Oregon Flora Project Web 

site (2006), and North American Flora Web site (2006).
Scientific name Common name

Berberis nervosa Pursh Oregongrape

Linnaea borealis L. Twinflower

Rubus leucodermis Dougl. Blackcap, whitebark raspberry

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schlecht. Native blackberry

Ferns and allies:

Adiantum pedatum L. Maidenhair fern

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. Ladyfern

Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm. Deerfern

Dryopteris sp. Woodfern

Polypodium glycyrrhiza DC. Eat. Licoricefern

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) Presl Western swordfern

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Brackenfern

Selaginella sp. Clubmoss, spikemoss

Herbs:

Achlys triphylla (Smith) DC. Vanilla leaf, deer foot

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. Baneberry

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. Pathfinder, trailplant

Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. Pearly everlasting

Anemone deltoidea Hook. Three-leaved anemone

Aquilegia formosa Fisch. Red columbine

Asarum caudatum Lindl. Wild ginger

Campanula scouleri Hook. ex A. DC. Scouler’s harebell

Cephalanthera austinae (A. Gray) Heller Phantom orchid

Chimaphila menziesii (R. Br. ex D Don) Little princes pine

Spreng

Chimaphila umbellata (L.) Bart. Princes pine

Chrysosplenium glechomifolium Nutt. Water carpet

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Bull thistle

Claytonia sibirica (L.) Howell Candyflower

Clintonia uniflora (Schult.) Kunth Queen's cup

Coptis asplenifolia Salisb. Fern-leaved goldthread

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

mertensiana (Bong.) Cald. & R.L. Taylor

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

maculata

Delphinium sp. Larkspur

Dicentra formosa (Haw.) Walp. Bleeding heart

Digitalis purpurea L. Foxglove

Epilobium angustifolium L. Fireweed

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. Purple-leaved willowherb 

Equisetum arvense L. Horsetail

Galium kamtschaticum (Steller ex JA) Oregon bedstraw

Schultes subsp. oreganum Steller

Galium triflorum Michx. Sweetscented bedstraw

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Rattlesnake plantain

Heracleum lanatum Michx. Cow parsnip

Hieracium albiflorum Hook. White-flowered hawkweed

Hydrophyllum fendleri (Gray) Heller Fendler’s waterleaf

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

17
Scientific name Common name

Hydrophyllum tenuipes Heller Slender-stem waterleaf

Hypericum perforatum L. St. John’s wort

Hypopitys monotropa Crantz. Pinesap

Iris tenax Dougl. Oregon iris

Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. Oxeye daisy

Lilium columbianum Leichtl. ex Duchart. Tiger lily

Listera caurina Piper Northwestern twayblade

Listera cordata (L.) R. Br. Heart-leaved twayblade

Lupinus sp. Lupine

Lysichiton americanus Hult. & St. John Skunk cabbage

Maianthemum dilatatum (Wood.) False lily-of-the-valley

Nels. & Macbr.

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Link Starry false Solomonseal

Marah oreganus (T. & G.) Howell Manroot

Mentha arvensis L. Field mint

Mimulus dentatus Nutt. ex Benth. Coastal monkeyflower

Mimulus guttatus DC. Yellow monkeyflower

Moneses uniflora (L.) Gray Single delight

Monotropa uniflora L. White indian pipe

Mycelis muralis (L.)/Dumort. Wall lettuce

Oenanthe sarmentosa Presl ex DC. Water parsley

Osmorhiza chilensis H. & A. Mountain sweet-cicely

Oxalis oregana Nutt. Redwood sorrel

Phacelia nemoralis Greene ssp. Woodland phacelia

oregonensis Heckard

Prosartes hookeri Torr. Hooker’s fairybells

Prosartes smithii (Hooker) Utech Smith’s fairybells

Shinwari & Kawano

Prunella vulgaris L. Self-heal

Pterospora andromedea Nutt. Pinedrops

Pyrola picta Smith Wintergreen

Ranunculus repens L. Buttercup

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don Small-flowered buttercup

Rumex acetosella L. Sheep sorrel, sour weed

Rumex occidentalis Wats. Western dock

Scoliopus hallii Wats. Oregon fetid adder’s-tongue 

Scrophularia californica Cham. & Schlecht. California figwort

Senecio jacobaea L. Tansy ragwort

Stachys mexicana Benth. Mexican hedge-nettle

Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. Claspleaf twistedstalk

Taraxacum officinale Wiggers Common dandelion

Tellima grandiflora (Pursh) Dougl. Fringecup

Tiarella trifoliata L. Foamflower

Tolmiea menziesii (Pursh) T. & G. Piggy back plant

Trientalis latifolia Hook. Starflower

Trifolium dubium Sibth. Small hop-clover

Trillium ovatum Pursh Western trillium

Urtica dioica L. Stinging nettle

Vancouveria hexandra (Hook.) Inside-out flower

Morr. & Decais.

18

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
Scientific name Common name

Viola glabella Nutt. Stream violet, yellow wood violet

Viola sempervirens Greene Evergreen violet 

Grasses, sedges and rushes:

Agrostis exarata Trin. Spike bentgrass

Carex deweyana Schwein. Dewey’s sedge

Elymus glaucus Buckl. Blue wildrye

Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Needle-and-thread

Barkworth

Holcus lanatus L. Velvetgrass

Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv. Small-flowered woodrush

Melica subulata (Griseb.) Scribn. Alaska oniongrass

Poa laxiflora Buckley Loose-flowered bluegrass

Poa marcida A.S. Hitchc. Withered bluegrass

Scirpus microcarpus Presl Small-fruited bulrush

Trisetum cernuum Trin. Nodding trisetum

Mosses:3

Antitrichia sp.

Brachythecium asperrimum (Mitt.) Sull.

Bryum miniatum Lesq.

Buxbaumia piperi Best

Claopodium bolanderi Best

Dichodontium sp.

Dicranum sp.

Dicranum tauricum Sapehin.

Eurhynchium oreganum (Sull.) Jaeg.

Eurhynchium sp.

Fontinalis sp.

Hookeria sp.

Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Hypnum spp.

Isothecium stoloniferum Brid.

Leucolepis menziesii (Hook.) Steere

Mnium sp.

Neckera sp.

Orthotrichum lyellii Hook. & Tayl.

Plagiomnium insigne (Mitt.) Koponen

Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw.

Polytrichum sp.

Rhacomitrium canescens (Hedw.) Brid.

Rhizomnium glabrescens (Kindb.) Koponen

Rhizomnium sp. 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Scleropodium sp.

Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

Ulota sp.

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

19

3 Nomenclature follows Missouri Botanical Garden Web site (2006).
Scientific name Common name

Liverworts:3

Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dumort.

Frullania nisquallensis Sull.

Porella navicularis (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindb.

Scapania bolanderi Austin

Scapania sp.

Lichens:4

Alectoria imshaugii Brodo & D. Hawksw.

Bryoria sp.

Cetraria orbata (Nyl.) Fink

Cladonia squamosa Hoffm.

Cladonia sp.

Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.

Hypogymnia enteromorpha (Ach.) Nyl.

Hypogymnia imshaugii Krog

Hypogymnia inactiva (Krog) Ohlsson

Hypogymnia oceanica Goward

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.

Hypogymnia tubulosa (Schaerer) Hav.

Lobaria oregana (Tuck.) Müll. Arg.

Melanelia sp.

Menegazzia sp.

Neofuscelia sp.

Ochrolechia sp.

Parmelia hygrophila Goward & Ahti

Parmelia sulcata Taylor

Peltigera britannica (Gyelnik) Holt.-Hartw.

& Tønsberg

Peltigera collina (Ach.) Schrader 

Peltigera membranacea (Ach.) Nyl.

Peltigera neopolydactyla (Gyelnik) Gyelnik

Peltigera pacifica Vitik.

Peltigera venosa (L.) Hoffm.

Pilophorus sp.

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

Platismatia herrei (Imshaug) Culb. & C. Culb.

Platismatia lacunosa (Ach.) Culb. & C. Culb.

Platismatia norvegica (Lynge) Culb. & C. Culb. 

Platismatia stenophylla (Tuck.) Culb. & C. Culb.

Pseudocyphellaria anomala Brodo & Ahti

Pseudocyphellaria crocata (L.) Vainio

Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach.

Sphaerophorus globosus (Hudson) Vainio

Sticta fuliginosa (Hoffm.) Ach.

Sticta sp.

Usnea filipendula Stirton

Usnea sp.

20

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

4 Nomenclature follows Brodo et al. 2001.
Appendix 2: Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Fish, and

Mammals Expected to Use High Peak/Moon Creek

Research Natural Area1

Reptiles and 

Amphibians

Order Scientific name Common name

Caudata Ambystoma gracile Northwest salamander

Ambystoma macrodactylum Long-toed salamander

Aneides ferreus Clouded salamander

Dicamptodon tenebrosus Pacific giant salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzii Ensatina

Plethodon dunni Dunn’s salamander

Plethodon vehiculum Western redback salamander

Rhyacotriton kezeri Columbia torrent salamander

Taricha granulosa Rough-skinned newt

Anura Ascaphus truei Tailed frog

Bufo boreas Western toad

Pseudacris regilla Pacific chorus frog

Rana aurora Red-legged frog

Rana catesbeiana Bullfrog

Rana pretiosa Spotted frog

Squamata Elgaria coerulea Northern alligator lizard

Charina bottae Rubber boa

Coluber constrictor Racer

Contia tenuis Sharptail snake

Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard

Thamnophis elegans Western terrestrial garter snake

Thamnophis ordinoides Northwestern garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake

Testudines Clemmys marmorata Western pond turtle

Birds1

Order Scientific name Common name

Falconiformes Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk

Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk

Cathartes aura Turkey vulture

Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon

Falco sparverius American kestrel

Galliformes Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse

Callipepla californica California quail

Dendragapus obscurus Blue grouse

Fulica americana American coot

Meleagris gallopavo Wild turkey

Oreortyx pictus Mountain quail

Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

21

1 Nomenclature taken from Csuti et al. 1997. 
Birds (continued)

Order Scientific name Common name

Charadriiformes Brachyramphus marmoratus Marbled murrelet

Charadrius vociferous Killdeer

Columbiformes Columba fasciata Band-tailed pigeon

Zenaida macroura Mourning dove

Strigiformes Aegolius acadicus Northern saw-whet owl

Bubo virginianus Great-horned owl

Glaucidium gnoma Northern pygmy owl

Otus kennicottii Western screech-owl

Strix occidentalis Spotted owl

Strix varia Barred owl

Caprimulgiformes Chordeiles minor Common nighthawk

Apodiformes Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird

Coraciiformes Ceryle alcyon Belted kingfisher

Piciformes Colaptes auratus Northern flicker

Dryocopus pileatus Pileated woodpecker

Picoides pubescens Downy woodpecker

Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker

Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted sapsucker

Passeriformes Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged blackbird

Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar waxwing

Carduelis pinus Pine siskin

Carduelis psaltria Lesser goldfinch

Carduelis tristis American goldfinch

Carpodacus mexicanus House finch

Carpodacus purpureus Purple finch

Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush

Certhia americana Brown creeper

Chamaea fasciata Wrentit

Cinclus mexicanus American dipper

Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening grosbeak

Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher

Contopus sordidulus Western wood peewee

Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

Corvus corax Common raven

Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica nigrescens Black-throated gray warbler

Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warbler

Dendroica petechia Yellow warbler

Empidonax difficilis Pacific-slope flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher

Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher

Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer’s blackbird

Geothlypis trichas Common yellowthroat

Hirundo pyrrhonota Cliff swallow

Hirundo rustica Barn swallow

22

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673
High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

23

Birds (continued)

Order Scientific name Common name

Ixoreus naevius Varied thrush

Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco

Loxia curvirostra Red crossbill

Melospiza melodia Song sparrow

Molothrus ater Brown-headed cowbird

Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire

Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler

Parus atricapillus Black-capped chickadee

Parus rufescens Chestnut-backed chickadee

Perisoreus canadensis Gray jay

Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-headed grosbeak

Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee

Piranga rubra Summer tanager

Progne subis Purple martin

Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit

Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned kinglet

Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned kinglet

Sialia mexicana Western bluebird

Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis White-breasted nuthatch

Sturnus vulgaris European starling

Tachycineta bicolor Tree swallow

Tachycineta thalassina Violet-green swallow

Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren

Troglodytes aedon House wren

Troglodytes troglodytes Winter wren

Turdus migratorius American robin

Vermivora celata Orange-crowned warbler

Vireo gilvus Warbling vireo

Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo

Vireo solitarius Solitary vireo

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow

Freshwater and anadromous fish found in the Nestucca River watershed2

Scientific name Common name

Cottus spp. Sculpin species

Lampetra richardsoni Brook lamprey

Lampetra tridentatus Pacific lamprey

Lampetra ayresi River lamprey

Oncorhynchus clarki Cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus keta Chum salmon

Oncorhynchus mykiss Steelhead trout

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon

Rhinichthys sp. Dace

2 Adapted from USDI BLM 1994.
Mammals expected to occur within the High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural

Area3

Order Scientific name Common name

Insectivora Neurotrichus gibbsii Shrew-mole

Scapanus townsendii Townsend’s mole

Scapanus orarius Coast mole

Sorex vagrans Vagrant shrew

Sorex bairdi Baird’s shrew

Sorex bendirii Pacific water shrew

Sorex trowbridgii Trowbridge’s shrew

Chiroptera Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat

Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat

Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat

Myotis californicus California myotis

Myotis yumanensis Yuma myotis

Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotis

Myotis volans Long-legged myotis

Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis

Myotis evotis Long-eared myotis

Lagomorpha Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare

Sylvilagus bachmani Brush rabbit

Rodentia Aplodontia rufa Mountain beaver

Castor canadensis American beaver

Clethrionomys californicus Western red-backed vole

Erethizon dorsatum Common porcupine

Glaucomys sabrinus Northern flying squirrel

Microtus longicaudus Long-tailed vole

Microtus oregoni Creeping vole

Microtus townsendii Townsend’ vole

Myocastor coypus Nutria

Neotoma cinerea Bushy-tailed woodrat

Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat

Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse

Phenacomys albipes White-footed vole

Phenacomys longicaudus Red tree vole

Sciurus griseus Western gray squirrel

Spermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel

Tamias townsendii Townsend’s chipmunk

Tamiasciurus douglasii Douglas’ squirrel

Thomomys mazama Western pocket gopher

Zapus trinotatus Pacific jumping mouse

Carnivora Canis latrans Coyote

Felis concolor Mountain lion

Lutra canadensis Northern river otter

Lynx rufus Bobcat

Martes americana American marten

Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk

24

General Technical Report PNW-GTR-673

3 Nomenclature, distribution and habitat characteristics adapted from Csuti et al. 1997.
Mammals (continued)

Order Scientific name Common name

Mustela erminea Ermine

Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel

Mustela vison Mink

Odocoileus hemionus Mule deer

Procyon lotor Common raccoon

Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk

Urocyon cinereoargenteus Common gray fox

Ursus americanus Black bear

Vulpes vulpes Red fox

Artiodactyla Cervus elaphus Elk

High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area

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