Wilde Lake
Columbia Maryland 21044
Amenities: Parking is available in two lots; both are on the north side of Hyla Brook Road. The first is a small, paved lot on the left adjacent to a low white building; the second, also on the left, is a larger gravel lot near the large dairy barn. On-street parking may also be available. No facilities. An almost entirely paved path encircles the lake. Because some residential properties to the water’s edge on the southwest side lack public access, making a circuit of the lake is not easy. Fortunately, virtually all birds can be seen from the north side (although in some cases a scope can be necessary). Paved paths leading from various locations on the lake connect with the larger Columbia Association path system. A paved deck near the first parking lot, a few benches along the north side, and water cascading over the dam at the east end constitute the attractions. Occasional trees bear identifying labels.
Special Attractions: This 22-acre lake was built by the Columbia Association in 1967. It varies in depth from 13 feet behind the dam to a few feet at the west end, where a small island may appear between dredgings. Because some residential properties to the water’s edge on the southwest side lack public access, making a circuit of the lake is not easy. Fortunately, nearly all birds can be seen from the north side (although in some cases a scope can be necessary). Paved paths leading from various locations on the lake connect with the larger Columbia Association path system. A paved deck near the first parking lot, a few benches along the north side, and water cascading over the dam at the east end constitute the attractions. Some trees bear identifying labels.
Handicapped Access: The level path on the north side allows sporadic views of the water. Use the small parking lot for easiest access; the larger lot requires navigating the gravel lot, then going down a grassy slope to reach the path. Circling the lake is not recommended, as the path at the east end near the dam has several steep inclines and a short section of the southwest side consists of a mulched path.
Habitat: Suburban with mown grass; native and planted trees and shrubs in a park-like setting with a few brushy tangles. A deciduous woods flanking a stream can be found at the northwest corner; trails are narrow, often muddy.
Layout: The lake is oriented east to northwest with the dam at the east end. The path around the lake is 1.46 miles. It is paved on the west, north, east, and more than half of the south side. On the southwest side, it becomes a mulched path for a short distance before swinging away from the lake edge to the street to skirt several houses before it returns to the paved system at the west end of the lake. The north side of the lake is the more public side (fishing is allowed on this side only). Unfortunately, the view across the water from this side requires facing morning sun. The north side contains several buildings (including a renovated dairy barn) and a paved dock area that is a fine viewing site. (A scope can be a real plus.) The path at the northwest corner soon heads uphill as it winds past deciduous trees and shrubby growth, and over a stream. The wooded area near the bridge and the (frequently present) island at the northwest end along with nearby tangles, make this spot one of the site’s birdiest locations.
Like any body of water there may be rapid turnover of birds during migration periods or after storms; on the other hand, occasional waterfowl may be present for weeks at a time.
The island at the northwest end changes in size and vegetation depending on the number of years since the last dredging. When it is still a sandbar, a few migrating shorebirds stop, although the variety is limited. Wilde Lake consistently hosts night-herons and several rare wetland species. Because of its central location and easy access, birders often make quick stops when in the vicinity. It takes only a few minutes to check both Wilde Lake and nearby Lake Kittamaqundi in one loop.
Compilers: Joanne Solem and Clayton Koonce
