BIRDS OF CEDAR CREEK

 Robins are fairly common nesters on the Cedar Creek area proper, but are abundant in the adjacent residential areas, especially the subdivision just east of Durant. During spring migration robins can be abundant at Cedar Creek as they forage in the fields and savannahs. There are three winter records of a robin at Cedar Creek.

 Eastern Bluebirds are considered by some to be a threatened species because of their declining numbers. These declines are usually attributed to competition for nest cavities from starlings and House Sparrows. Bluebirds at Cedar Creek are common and conspicuous. They nest in old chickadee and woodpecker holes, in natural cavities, and in bluebird houses along the roads. These cavities are especially common in the birches and aspens around the many marshes at Cedar Creek, and bluebirds nest there and forage out in the fields and in edge situations. Bluebirds are also a common nesting species in the oak savannah. Bluebirds are one of the earliest species to arrive at Cedar Creek in the spring and the last to leave in the fall. Fledging success is apparently good as every year Howitz notices several broods. Cedar Creek is evidently excellent bluebird habitat.

 The Gray-cheeked Thrush is probably the least common of the migrant Catharus thrushes at Cedar Creek.

 Hermit Thrushes are fairly common early spring and late fall migrants at Cedar Creek.

 Swainson's Thrush is probably the most common of the migrant Catharus thrushes at Cedar Creek.

 The only record of Townsend's Solitaire is a winter record at Lawrence's cabin.

 A Varied Thrush was on the western edge of the CCNHA near a bird feeder on January 24, 1981. It may have been wintering there. A Varied Thrush also wintered at a feeder about 2 km southeast of the CCNHA during the winter of 1983-84.

 Veeries are common migrants and are common breeders in moist wooded areas at Cedar Creek, especially those with areas of standing water. Veeries commonly nest in the woods near the lab, Lawrence's cabin, Norris's cabin, and similar areas.

 The only places at Cedar Creek Wood Thrushes have been consistently recorded are the islands of deciduous woods in the swamps about .5 km south of the laboratory, and in 1986 near the laboratory itself. Presumably, they have nested there.