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May 2011

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jen brumfield <[log in to unmask]>
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jen brumfield <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 19 May 2011 12:01:54 +0000
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Greetings all - 
It's official. The much anticipated opening of the previously-fenced-in Dike 14 grounds (former dredge disposal site) is now officially deemed: Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. The Port authority plans to "open the preserve on a regular basis and spend up to $25,000 to install an entrance gate and make other improvements." The Dike 14 Committee and Earth Day Coalition, plus Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and the Kirtland Bird Club, as well as a mix of local birders/naturalists/ornithologists were major players in the "battle" to allow for Dike 14 to remain a natural area. The 88+ acre site is a REMARKABLE strip of "peninsula" that bulges out into Lake Erie just to the east of East 72nd Street, famed gulling spot. Over 280 species of birds have been recorded just from the preserve, with highlights of Say's Phoebe, Yellow Rail, 28+ warbler species, Le Conte's and Clay-colored Sparrows, and a host of others. All three jaegers have been observed offshore, as has Northern Gannet, Black-legged Kittiwake, Little and Black-headed Gulls, Eared Grebe, and a host of others. The nature preserve needs HELP in the form of naturalization of plant life. Currently the plant life is less than diverse, with most trees cottonwood and willow, and a thick colony of phragmites. Yet, the preserve is STILL a major migrant trap in spring and fall. Hawkwatching from this spot can be good in spring. CLNP is an important stop-over for Northern Saw-whet Owl. A well-visited female saw-whet spent the winter of 2010-2011 just outside of the preserve, on the ranger station grounds, but at least 2 other individuals wintered inside of the preserve. 
Massive, massive thanks to those that played a key role in defending Dike 14 as an important natural area. The nature preserve will no doubt start turning up on OHIOBIRDS with reports of great observations. If you're in the region, make a visit. Special hikes and birding tours are offered to the preserve, as well. 
best of birding - Jen


Jen Brumfield 
[log in to unmask]
Cleveland, Ohio
330-701-6452



                                          
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