Location:

North West Indiana

Tippecanoe County, Indiana

DeLorme Page 31, Grid F-10

GPS:   40.4473º N     86.9246º W

Description:

The West Lafayette Park and Recreation Department has a brochure called "A Place Apart" and it states: "A large tract of land bordered by Lindberg Road, U.S. 52 West and Purdue's Kampen Golf Course, Celery Bog Nature Area is a tranquil spot for wildlife and people alike. You'll find some unusual plants and the opportunity to view nearly 120 different species of birds. Rabbits, coyotes, opossums and other small mammals dwell there, as well as many amphibious creatures-all attracted to its rich and unique wetland habitat.

How Celery Bog got its name: For much of the twentieth century, Celery Bog was a large vegetable farm which supplied fresh produce to more than 80 grocers in the region. It's easy to guess that celery was one of the major crops. Onions, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, peas and cabbage thrived there as well.

Emigrants from northern Holland farmed Celery Bog, using experience with similar soil in their native land. They tilled many acres, all by hand - watering with sprinkler cans when necessary. On hot days, the peat-rich soil smoldered: one year, the planting beds caught fire, burning for weeks. Drainage tiles and other scant traces of these pioneering farmers can still be found in Celery Bog."

The Bog contains five wetland basins covering 105 acres. It is listed by DNR's Indiana Natural Heritage Program as one of the "significant sites" in the state.

Typical Time to Bird Site: 1 - 2 hours.

Birds:

Overview:

The Celery Bog Nature Area is home to a variety of wildlife, particularly in the Spring and the Fall when migrating birds rest in the marsh.

Bird families most likely to be found here include herons, egrets, coot, ducks, geese, hawks, woodpeckers, bluebirds, sparrows and warblers.

Specialty Species:

Here is a sampling from 2004:

American Woodcock, Ruddy Duck - March

American Bittern, Sora, Grasshopper Sparrow - April

Virginia Rail, Bittern, Pileated Woodpecker, Stilt Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover - May

Sora, Black Tern, Solitary Sandpiper - August

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, White-rumped Sandpiper, Moorhen, Semipalmated Plover - September

Wilson's Snipe - October

Noteworthy Records:

Bittern - Two seen on April 23 & 27, May 3, 2004 on Lindberg road cattails

Virginia Rail - Four seen on April 30 & May 3, 2004 at South pond on Lindberg Road

Yellow-headed Blackbird - One sighting by H.P.Weeks years ago

Wilson's Phalarope - May 12, 2004

Black Tern - August 17 & 18, 2004

Rusty Blackbird - October 24, 2004. Not a rare species, but unusual at The Celery Bog

General:

Ownership:

West Lafayette Park and Recreation Department, 765-775-5110.
Site phone number: 765-497-7158 (The Lilly Nature Center).
Naturalist Tippecanoe County Park Department: 765-567-2993.

Hours:

The The Lilly Nature Center is open 10am - 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 1pm - 5pm Sunday. The center is open when the flag is out.

Fees:

None.

Access Restrictions:

None.

Restrooms:

Restrooms are located in The Lilly Nature Center.

Lodging:

The nearest lodging available is in Lafayette and West Lafayette.

Temporal Considerations:

The Celery Bog is interesting each month of the year. That is the reason The Lilly Nature Center is open all year round. To find interesting birds, one needs to visit in the Spring and Fall.

References:

West Lafayette Parks and Recreation

A Place Apart: Celery Bog Nature Area

Directions:

From the North: Take I-65 South into White County. At exit #193 exit south onto US 231. Continue south on US 231 into West Lafayette. At a stop light, turn right onto Lindberg Road (CR 200N). Go west on Lindberg 0.5 miles and turn right at the Celery Bog sign into the Nature Center. There is plenty of parking on the right side of the road or closer to the Lilly Nature Center building.

From the South: From the South: take US 231 north across the Wabash River into West Lafayette. Follow US231 through West Lafayette and Past Purdue University. After passing McDonalds restaurant turn left at the second stop light onto Lindberg Road (CR 200N) Go West on Lindberg 0.5 miles and turn right at the sign into the Celery Bog Nature Center. Go 0.2 miles and park near the Lilly Nature Center building.

See also the Celery Bog website for a Location Map.

Links:

www.eas.purdue.edu/geomorph/celerybog/

The Celery Bog Website

Credits: