Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
This 50,000 acre refuge in southeastern Indiana is one of the best birding spots in Indiana to observe rare grassland and forest birds. Cerulean, Worm-eating, Hooded, Kentucky, Black and White, Prairie and Blue-winged Warbler, Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, and many more breed here. Spring and fall are the best times of the year to bird the refuge. Big Oaks NWR is only open every Monday and Friday and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 7 am until 4:30 pm. from mid-April through November, although special guided birding tours can be scheduled at other times of the year by calling the office (812-273-0783). Public use is restricted to posted dates and times unless a guided tours is scheduled. The entrance to Big Oaks NWR is located off of U.S. 421 five miles North of Madison, IN. This is the only access point for the refuge.
Dubois County Park
This birding site in southwest Indiana is comprised primarily of woodlands, old field habitat, short mown grass, and three small lakes. On the way into the park, check the smaller lake near the park entrance for herons and egrets. The wooded area around the campground is great for warblers and other passerines during spring and fall migrations. Other birds to look for here include vireos, thrushes, woodpeckers, and sparrows. Dubois County Park is about 7 miles south of Jasper on SR 162.
Eagle Creek Park & Reservoir
This birding site is very convenient to Indianapolis, being located on the northwest side of the city. The park contains deciduous woodlands, conifers, brushy areas, grasslands, mudflats, creeks, ponds, and a large reservoir. Because of this tremendous variety of habitat, birding at any time of year can be rewarding. Fair numbers of waterfowl occur on the reservoir March through April and again October through November. Spring waterfowl migration peak is around the 3rd or 4th week of March. During the fall when water levels recede, the mudflats at the north end of the reservoir can host an impressive array of shorebirds. Late July through October is the best time for finding shorebirds at Eagle Creek. Warbler watching is best late April through May and again throughout September along Warbler Alley, the South Overlook Trail, and around the Nature Center. To get to the park, take I-65 north to the 71st Street exit (exit #124). Heading west on 71st Street leads directly to the North Gate of the park.
Forsythe Park & Wolf Lake
Forsythe Park and Wolf Lake are good birding sites located on the northwest side of Hammond in the northwestern part of the state. Historically the Wolf Lake area was part of a complex of shallow lakes, wetlands, and beach ridges and was directly connected to Lake Michigan. Forsythe Park is situated on the northwest end of Wolf Lake. On the lake, grebes, herons, ducks, gulls, and terns are regular. Hawks, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, blackbirds and finches are common in the Wolf Lake area in general. Under the trees, in wet sunken ground, thrushes and sparrows mix with some warblers such as Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush. Look for Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-back, and Thayer's gulls on ice floats in winter. In Forsythe Park go to the area where there are deciduous trees. This area, particularly where clustered trees form canopies along with nearby pines, is a magnet for large numbers of warblers in the spring and fall. From Hammond, go into Indianapolis Blvd and follow U.S. 41 a few blocks to Calumet Ave (U.S. 41) Turn right onto Calumet Ave. and go to 119th St.. Turn right on 119th St. and proceed into Forsythe Park.
Fox Island County Park
Fox Island is still the best spot in northeast Indiana for migrant woodland songbirds. Birding is especially productive during spring and fall migrations in mid May and from the later part of August through to early October. Up to 29 species of warblers and a total of 100 bird species have been seen at this site on a single day in May, and to date, 219 bird species have been recorded here. Try birding around the parking lots at the Nature Center and the Nature Education Building, especially early in the morning. Migrant songbirds are found throughout the park, but tend to favor the bushy second-growth areas, the north side of the barrow pit lake, and the thickets along the seasonal marsh. The best birding trail is probably the loop west from marked posts A and B, although good birding can be had from all the other trails. In the winter, the feeders at the Nature Education Building can be quite productive. Fox Island County Park is in Fort Wayne. To get there from the US 24 - I-69 interchange, go west on US 24 a short distance to the traffic light at Liberty Mills Rd. and turn south (left). Follow Liberty Mills as it merges into Ellison Road and continue south on Ellison as it curves east into Yohne Rd. Follow Yohne east to the marked entrance.
Spring Mill State Park
Birding here is reasonably productive year-round, although the summer and migration periods offer the best variety. Early morning birding is best during spring and summer due to the large numbers of park visitors that arrive mid-to-late morning. Most woodland birds are common including Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Wood-pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Kentucky Warblers and Barred Owls. Look for bluebirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers in the open areas around the pioneer village. Bird checklists are available at the Nature Center. Spring Mill State Park is near Mitchell in south, central Indiana. From SR 37, just south of Mitchell, turn onto SR 60 and proceed 3.4 miles to the well-marked park entrance.