The other week I went to Lake Cook on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria,
only to find the gate closed and a sign there saying it will be closed
permanently on May 8th. The only way into the lake is through the
adjacent Cameron Run Regional Park. This makes a quick stop at the
lake impossible when passing by, and when you are carrying a telephoto
lens on a tripod along with other camera equipment and binoculars, the
trek to and from the lake is annoying.
Earlier this week I talked with the Park Manager of CRRP and learned
that Lake Cook is part of that establishment. He said the gate was
closed because of problems wtih construction vehicles being parked
there and by people using the area to dump trash.
However, he did exhibit an awareness of birds and birders and said
that people could arrange for the gate to be unlocked during a
specific period of the day if they contact him beforehand. He is
interested in compiling a list of birds seen at the Lake Cook area,
particulary by season.
I have a short list that I'll give to him (see below), and I am hoping
other birders can help exapnd it, both by specie and by date. If you
will send any input to me, I will add it to my list and forward it to
the manager. I must admit that I don't do well at recording by season,
just the first time I see something at a location.
Species Date
Mallard 12/18/2004
Great Blue Heron 12/18/2004
Canada Goose 12/18/2004
Common Goldeneye 01/09/2006
Red-shouldered Hawk 12/18/2004
Northern Cardinal 12/18/2004
Ring-billed Gull 12/18/2004
Hooded Merganser 01/09/2006
Song Sparrow 12/18/2004
Northern Mockingbird 12/18/2004
House Sparrow 12/18/2004
Double-crested Cormorant 12/18/2004
Carolina Wren 12/18/2004
Mourning Dove 12/18/2004
White-throated Sparrow 12/18/2004
Any help will be greatly appreciated and hopefully will help foster
good relations between birders and the Northern Virginia Regional
Parks Authority.
Cliff Otto
Alexandria
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