Central Indiana Birding Opportunities - DePauw Nature Park

DePauw Nature Park is a 520-acre reclaimed natural area including diverse bird habitats of forest, fields, and an abandoned limestone quarry.

This former quarry ended operations in 1977 and is now owned by DePauw University. Approximately 10 miles of groomed trails cut through all habitat areas allowing great birding at all times of the year. Trails are well maintained, with many trails handicap accessible. Habitats include mature upper woodlands, floodplain forests, over a mile of scenic river (Big Walnut Creek), a shallow four-acre pond and seasonal vernal ponds, developing woodland/scrub thickets, and extensive cedar groves along limestone outcroppings.

DePauw Nature Park has visitors daily but is generally pretty quiet with plenty of trails to allow uninterrupted birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Local birders consider this Park the all-round best hotspot in the County for both accessibility and the diversity, reliability, and number of birds.

The eBird tally for this hotspot is 190 total species observed. At least 10 warbler species nest here, including Cerulean, Kentucky, Prothonotary, and a large number of Prairie Warblers. The expansive cedar thickets are one of the easiest places in Indiana to observe nesting Prairie Warblers. Blue Grosbeaks, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers are among many other birds that nest here. Numerous Black and Turkey Vultures roost on the limestone cliffs year-round providing close-up encounters.

Large numbers of migrating songbirds are attracted to this location each fall, winter, and spring; notable regular sightings include Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Gray-cheeked/Hermit/Swainson's Thrush, Louisiana and Northern Waterthrushes, Spotted Sandpipers, vireos, etc. Although infrequent, the small lake inside the quarry attracts various waterfowl and wading birds, including Pied-billed Grebes, herons, egrets, ducks, geese, and Bald Eagles and Osprey.

eBird Hotspot Link:
ebird.org/hotspot/L1889908

Total Birding Time: 1-3 hours

Best Times to Bird:  Birding is productive throughout the year, especially with spring and fall migration, and a wide variety of nesting species in summer. Roosting vultures and resident birds offer reliable viewing in winter.

GREENCASTLE WEATHER

Address
1400 W County Road 125 S
Greencastle, IN 46135

Ownership: DePauw University.
Admission: There is no admission fee to visit DePauw Nature Park.
Hours: The trails are open to the public daily. 
Restrictions: The park is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk and is closed overnight unless special permission is granted. Pets must be leashed. No motorized vehicles, hunting, fishing, or horseback riding are permitted. Bicycling is restricted to designated areas.
Parking: Parking is available at multiple locations, where trail maps are posted onsite.
Nearby Amenities: Heated restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables are available onsite. Event buildings and an outdoor amphitheater may be rented. The park lies within the city limits of Greencastle, where restaurants, lodging, gas stations, and other services are readily available. Nearby natural areas include Big Walnut Nature Preserve, Fern Cliff Nature Preserve, Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, Glenn Flint Lake, Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area, and several rail trails.
Accessibility: Public parking is available at the main entrance on a paved lot. Trails are primarily gravel or natural surface, with sections of uneven terrain. Some overlook areas include railings. Bench placement varies along the trail system.
Website: depauw.edu/about/campus/naturepark
Phone Number: (765) 658-1076

Written by: Rod Wilson
Photo by: Rod Wilson