Usage of nest boxes was abnormally high this year as the harsh wind storm in September 2008 and two additional storms in January 2009 downed a large number of old dead trees that had natural cavities. With available natural nest sites down, the cavity nesting species adapted by using the nest boxes throughout the preserve. A full 178 nest boxes, or 71%, were used by Prothonotary Warblers, Tree Swallows, House Wrens or Carolina Chickadees. 72 boxes or 29% were not used to nest, although some of these did contain “false nests” build by male Prothonotary Warblers.
| Prothonotary warblers | 60 | 24% |  |
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| Tree Swallows | 70 | 28% | ||
| House Wrens | 43 | 17% | ||
| Carolina Chickadees | 1 | <1% | ||
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 1 | <1% | ||
| Eastern Bluebird | 1 | <1% | ||
| Empty (except for false PROW nests) | 74 | 30% | ||
| Total | 250 | 100% |
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