Northeast Indiana Birding Opportunities - Fox Island County Park

Fox Island County Park is a 605 acre park located in southwest Allen County. Within this park, 270 acres are dedicated as a State Nature Preserve.

Fox Island County Park Birds along the Indiana Birding Trail
Fox Island has seven miles of marked trails. There is a variety of migrating and nesting bird species at the park due to the variety of habitats that include marsh, seasonal ponds, wooded sand dunes, wetland forest, old fields and restored prairie. The park contains the largest contiguous forest in the county and a glacial sand dune.

Highlights there have included Pileated Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow and Eastern Towhee. Stockbridge Audubon Society has spring and fall field trips here as well as a Big Sit in October.

eBird Hotspot Link:
ebird.org/hotspot/L917081

Total Birding Time:
The site can be birded in three to four hours.

Best Times to Bird: 
 Birding is best during migration, with more than 30 species of wood-warblers possible. Thrushes, vireos and other woodland species can be plentiful. There are many nesting species as well, but summer birding can be challenging because of dense clouds of mosquitos. Winter birding can be rewarding, but is often most successful at the Vera Dulin wildlife Observation Building, where feeders are found. The building is staffed by volunteers, but the staff will open it on request.

FORT WAYNE WEATHER


Address:
7324 Yohne Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Easily accessible from I69 at exit 302, west on US 24 to Ellison Road to Yohne Road.

Hours: Park is open 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. Nature Center is open 9:00 – 5:00 pm seven days a week.
Ownership: Citizens of Allen County and operated by Allen County Parks and Recreation board.
Admission: gate admission is $2 per person unless a member of Fox Island Alliance or Allen County Parks
Restrictions: Roads and some trails can go underwater in heavy rains. Mosquitoes can be bothersome in the summer months.
Parking: Parking at the Nature Center and the Vera Dulin Wildlife Building
Nearby Amenities: There are restrooms at the Nature Center and Vera Dulin Wildlife Building and at Bowman Lake. The nature center has a gift shop. There are picnic areas and nearby restaurants and lodging on Jefferson Blvd.
Website: allencountyparks.org
Phone Number: (260) 449-3180

Written by: Don Gorney
Photo by: Shari McCollough