Date: 7/12/12 2:37 pm
From: Jason Berry <jgbrc...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Re: DC Keilworth Field trip - Sunday


Hi Everyone,



Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens are the jewels of DC birding.� According to eBird over 212 species of birds have been recorded using the parks' wetlands, forests, and grasslands.� To put this in perspective, well birded Rock creek Park has only recorded 177.� But the crown jewel of DC birding is under threat from a poorly conceived bike path that is routed to go through the most ecologically sensitive sections of the twin parks. This is one of the best places in DC for shorebirds, scrub birds and raptors.� There are even plans for significant habitat restoration, but a poorly routed the bike trail could nullify them.

Join us this Sunday, July 15th at 7:30 am to see first hand what is at threat and learn what the birding and local conservation community is doing about it.� We'll meet at the entrance to the Aquatic Gardens bird the area as well as the adjacent Kenilworth Park grasslands.

See you Sunday!

Jason Berry
Washington, DC






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Concerns
about Proposed Bicycle Trail Route through Kenilworth Park & Aquatic
Gardens

Background:
The DC Department of Transportation has recently announced
the receipt of $10 million in federal TIGER grants for the construction of 4
miles of multi-use bicycle/pedestrian paths to connect existing networks in the
District of Columbia and Maryland. The project will build bike trails where
none currently exist and pave and widen some existing trails.

As currently proposed, the route will be built right through
the very heart of Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens (KP/AG), an
ecologically sensitive environment. ��

Taken as a whole, KP/AG, the Anacostia River,
the adjacent National Arboretum, and Langston Golf Course make up the most
ecologically diverse and sensitive green space left in the District of
Columbia. �Threats to any one of these
units threatens the ecological integrity of the� whole� as breeding and
foraging areas decrease.

While we strongly support the path�s construction and
fully appreciate its goal of linking Maryland and the District and providing low-income
District neighborhoods better access to jobs and services, City Wildlife and
other local environmental groups believe that this project unnecessarily
threatens existing wildlife and seriously compromises the potential for future wildlife
habitat restoration.� Therefore, we recommend
that the path be routed through less sensitive areas, as originally planned.

Specific problems with the current plan:
* �������� The currently proposed route runs directly
through Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, parts of which have been
determined to be the highest known site for avian abundance in the District of
Columbia[i],
according citizen scientist data collected through eBird. �Unsurprisingly, the DC Department of
Environment recognizes KP/AG as one of its top bird wildlife sites in the City;
and the DC Audubon Society describes the park as �important habitat for many
species of migratory and resident birds.�
* �������� Some of the birds that breed in this park � American
Woodcock, Prothonotary Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher,
Eastern Towhee�
are �species of greatest conservation need,� as identified by the DC Wildlife Action Plan[ii]. �
* �������� The bike path would also threaten migrants
stopping at the park, birds such as American Bittern, American Kestrel, Upland
Sandpiper, Bobolink, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and Rusty Blackbird.� These species are experiencing declines
throughout their ranges and loss of migrant stop-over sites is a contributing
factor for most.
* ��������� Aside
from birds, the park is home to mink, fox, otters, at least five kinds of
frogs, two species of toads, and several kinds of salamanders, according to the
National Park Service�s Web site.
* �������� Once open for bicycles, the path will bring multiple
threats to wildlife into the heart of this sensitive area: habitat fragmentation,
significant increase in human presence, collisions, as well as increased off-leash
dogs and cats, among others (all shown to reduce the successful reproductive
rates of wild animals, and survivorship of migrant species).
* �������� Current DC Department of the Environment plans
call for the restoration of a grassland area for breeding birds where the
bicycle path is currently set to be routed.� The grassland�s utility to breeding birds (Grasshopper Sparrow, Field
Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark) would be greatly compromised by a bicycle path
running through it. Likewise declining migrants such as Upland Sandpiper, Bobolink,
Sedge wren and American Kestrel use this quiet area of the District to refuel
on their long migratory flights outside of the breeding season.
* �������� The construction and use of the pathway would
have a serious and deleterious effect on the wildlife that relies on the park
for survival.� The negative impact on
birds that breed, migrate though and winter in the park could be especially
acute.:
��������� Alternative:
* � �� We� propose a return to the original plan for the
bicycle path.
* �������� The original plan for the path routed the
bicycle path along the perimeter of the park, where it would have significantly
less negative impact on the area�s wildlife and habitat.
* ������� The original plan for the path offer more management options for those overseeing KP/AG.
* ������� This original version of the plan would allow
better access to the path for those living in the neighborhoods adjacent to the
garden.

________________________________

[i]� The 213 species of birds recorded in KP/AG through eBird.org since
2000 even surpasses the 174 species recorded
in Rock Creek Park during the same time period. http://tinyurl.com/ch8jqwc�and recorded in Rock Creek Park - retrieved 7-2-12.
[ii]� See Appendix: http://tinyurl.com/7jfadux.� Retrieved 7-2-12.

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