Howard County Bird Club
Lake Elkhorn Detailed Information
Thirty-seven acre Lake Elkhorn was built by the Columbia Association in 1974. The lake and associated Forebay Pond attract a fine variety of waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds. Migrant passerines, especially in spring, also make this area attractive.
Habitat: The lake is 15 feet at its deepest graduating to shallow water or even mudflats at the east end above the bridge. There can be extensive amounts of emergent and submergent vegetation depending on the season. Groups of mature trees are interspersed with some shrubby vegetation and mown grass. A few streams enter the lake. East of the lake the land under the powerlines has scrubby second-growth, wet meadow, and open water. The amount of water varies with annual precipitation and beaver activity. Forebay Pond may have good edge for shorebirds, although that is relatively unpredictable from year to year. Broken Land Parkway and the other off Dockside Lane. The paved loop trail around the perimeter of the lake offers access to all habitats either directly or through path extensions. By continuing east, it is possible to walk to the Elkhorn Branch Garden Plots on the east side of Oakland Mills Road. At the west end of the lake, the loop path connects to the Patuxent Branch Trail on the north side below the dam.
Best Time to Visit: During migration, early morning and early evening are the times when birds are most active. Morning is the better choice because the number of people using the path increases during the day, along with noise from mowers and vehicles. Gulls, terns, and hawks are more likely, however, after early morning hours. During the summer, when night-herons make an appearance, dusk can be the preferred time. Any time is good for winter waterfowl. Bear in mind that the north side of the lake is more open than the south side which provides a generally good view of the sky. Because the path is closer to the water on much of the north side, it is easier to see any birds resting on the water. On sunny days, however, one is facing the sun during much of the day.
Birding: The two parking lots are at the west end of the lake. From the Broken Land Parkway lot, follow the south shore scanning the open water and the sky at any opportunity. Check brushy areas along the shore and any location where a bridge crosses a stream. This wooded side of the lake is usually the best for passerines, especially during migration. Thirty-six species of warblers have been recorded at this lake, many of them in this section which has good filtered morning light. Most of the paved paths intersecting the main loop have stenciled street names—a highly useful idea. The path toward Ivory Hand Place heads south along a stream and is a worthwhile side trip as far as the powerlines. Frequently, a Red-shouldered Hawk nests along the stream. Winter Wrens should be looked for in the colder months. During spring and fall, Palm Warblers in the shrubby growth along the lakeshore and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the trees may sometimes appear in considerable numbers. A variety of passerines may be present during the first half of May.
Forebay Pond: This pond is located at the southeast end of Lake Elkhorn and is reached by following a path (without a name) south from the bridge at the east end of the lake. The path goes uphill into a wooded area and shortly the pond is visible on the left. Look for a dirt path on the left which leads to the north end of the pond. Forebay is mostly ringed by willows and scrubby vegetation. The water level fluctuates depending on the amount of beaver activity and rainfall. It is sited above the main lake and a wet meadow that extends east to Oakland Mills Road. Forebay receives much less pedestrian traffic than the main lake so there are times when birds retreat to this location. In addition to some combination of Mallards, Canada Geese, and various hybrid and domesticated waterfowl, this pond has attracted an interesting array of birds. Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers are regular, but choice species like Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler have also made an appearance. Both species of night-herons and various egrets and herons should be looked for during the warmer months, especially during July and August. One early spring day an American Bittern wandered on lawns east of the pond. If a drop in water level coincides with shorebird migration, the muddy edges attract Solitary, Spotted, and Least sandpipers and an occasional yellowlegs or Semipalmated Plover. Swallows are present in the warmer months. More than one Prothonotary Warbler have been spotted along the shrubby edge. Even a Worm-eating Warbler has been seen here. Beavers and a variety of frogs, snakes, and turtles may be present.
Return to the main loop trail where a bridge with benches crosses the narrow east end of the lake. Scan carefully in both directions. East of the bridge there is extensive emergent vegetation in the shallow water during the warmer months. Night-Herons have been seen here, and once a Common Moorhen spent a couple of days. Barn Swallows nest under the bridge. Looking west from the bridge, check the water and the shoreline. Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and American Avocet have all been spotted in this vicinity. Barred Owls have consistently nested at the east end of the lake. On the north end of the bridge there are several houses with feeders worth checking. Continue east along the transmission line to view the wet meadow. This used to be a consistent site for breeding Willow Flycatchers. After exploring this area, reverse direction and walk west toward the dam. This side of the lake is more open than the south side with a good view of birds on the water or flying over the lake. Facing the sun can be a major disadvantage however. Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebe, and Horned Grebe are annual. Almost any duck, merganser, or grebe could appear as records for Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, and Red-necked Grebe attest. During appropriate seasons, check the far edge of the lake for egrets and herons as well as resting ducks. A cove (with pilings, benches, picnic tables, a tot lot, and a boat launch) is adjacent to the second parking area off Dockside Lane so is a magnet for people. Bubblers (marked by plastic decoys) keep this area ice-free in winter and help to oxygenate the water in summer. Often an American Coot will be found among the ducks, geese, and gulls that are habituated to people. In 2007, a juvenile Cattle Egret created a stir by hanging around with the flock of Mallards on the dock. In the short stretch between the cove and the dam, the lakeside vegetation holds dozens of House Sparrows. Check them carefully during the winter months. A birder once found a Dickcissel among the flock. Search the water behind the dam for various gulls and ducks. Once an American Bittern stalked the shoreline near the dam. A November Snow Bunting entertained birders for three days in the short grass on the dam. Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Greater and Lesser scaup, and a Redhead have been spotted in the pond below the dam.
On the northwest end of the lake below the dam, the path divides. By continuing straight through the pedestrian tunnel under Broken Land Parkway, one connects with the Patuxent Branch Trail. To return to the Broken Land parking lot, follow the path left (south) across the bridge. Pause at the bridge to look for Eastern Phoebes and Winter Wrens depending on the season.
Highlights: The lake and Forebay Pond have interesting bird potential much of the year. This lake has also produced several state-rare dragonflies.
Handicapped Access: Much of the lake is accessible because most paths are paved. A short dirt path provides the only good view of Forebay Pond although the paved path offers glimpses through trees when leaves have dropped. There are a few inclines on the main loop; the steepest is near the dam on the north side. All the wooden bridges can be slippery when wet.