birding...

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis ©John Cassady http://www.jkcassady.com/

Indiana has a rich birding history despite being the smallest state, excepting Hawaii, west of the Appalachian Mountains. Approximately 400 bird species have been observed in the state and it is not unusual for birders to see more than 250 species in a year. The big year record for Indiana stands at 310 species set in 2002 by the same individual who already held the record. Indiana has many birding destinations awaiting you and many resources available right from your keyboard.

A seemingly endless hardwood forest that stretched from Lake Michigan down to the Ohio River once carpeted Indiana. The one noticeable break in the forest was a large tallgrass prairie that existed in parts of northwestern Indiana. Of course, man has broken up most of the forest and the prairie remnants are a pittance of their former glory. But birds certainly can be found in the remaining patches. The relative flatness of northern Indiana along with many lakes and wetlands are due to the advancing and then retreating ice pack during the most recent ice age. Much of southern Indiana was untouched by glaciation and is therefore hilly and home to Indiana`s largest forests.

Northwest Indiana birding is dominated by the 41-mile Lake Michigan shoreline. It is here, given the right conditions and time of year, that you may see jaegers (skuas); rare gulls, and sea ducks. More rare birds have been seen along or near the Lake Michigan shoreline than anywhere else in the state. Ken Brock covers the Birds of the Indiana Dunes wonderfully in his book of the same title. Also in northwest Indiana are remnant prairie patches with efforts underway to restore additional prairie. This is the best spot in the state to see prairie species and certain birds are at their eastern-most regular breeding range. Northeast Indiana benefits from the bird-rich Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area and many state parks and nature preserves.

Central Indiana has been heavily developed but you can find exciting birding spots such as Shades and Turkey Run State Parks in west-central Indiana and Summit Lake State Park in east-central Indiana. Even in Indianapolis, the state capital and the largest city, Eagle Creek Park and Fort Harrison State Park are rich in birds and birders. Southwestern Indiana is coal country with several reclaimed strip mines that attract prairie and grassland species. Much of the south-central and southeastern part of Indiana is hill country and large forest tracts abound.

Indiana has a variety of habitats and many locations to keep you busy birding for a day or for several weeks. Indiana birders as well as visiting twitchers to the state are fortunate to have one of the most impressive resources in the On-line Guide to Indiana Birding. Visit the Indiana Audubon Society website for this valuable resource to dozens of birding locations and start planning your trip today!