Location:

Central Indiana

Marion County, Indiana

DeLorme Page 38, Grid G-6

GPS:   39º 52' 0" N     86º 18' 0" W

Description:

Eagle Creek Park and Eagle Creek Reservoir are located just outside of the I-465 loop on Indianapolis's northwest side. The Lilly pharmaceutical family began acquiring and maintaining the land as a nature preserve in 1936, continuing further land acquisitions for 22 years. Now at over 4,400 acres, Eagle Creek Park is one of the nation's largest city parks, with some ten miles of trails and a wide variety of avian habitats. The park contains deciduous woodlands, conifers, brushy earlier successional 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.

The park can be entered from the north at the 71st Street Entrance (North Gate) or from the south at the 56th Street Entrance (South Gate). Eagle Creek Parkway is the main road running north-south through the park, with the reservoir lying just to the west of it. The principle road running east-west through the middle of the park is 62nd Street. Upon entering, one should obtain a park map to locate the following areas which deserve special attention.

The Nature Center is located on the west side of Eagle Creek Parkway, just south of the 71st Street Entrance--watch for the sign. The building sits atop a hill overlooking the Bird Sanctuary, a large area of retained water separated from the reservoir by Coffer Dam. The windows at the back of the Nature Center, and the wooden deck immediately to the south of it, both offer limited views of the Bird Sanctuary. Inside the Nature Center, an air-conditioned viewing room with one-way windows looks out onto a hummingbird garden and feeder area. The 38-acre arboretum that encompasses the Nature Center and nearby Lilly Lodge is an excellent place to look for passerines during migration. A group of thirty Turkey Vultures roosts in the trees behind the Nature Center and can be found there in the early morning during the summer.

The Bird Sanctuary is a large aquatic refuge immediately north of the reservoir, separated from the inflowing waters of Eagle Creek by Coffer Dam. There are no fishing boats allowed in this dammed area. Although the sanctuary can be partially viewed at a distance from the Nature Center, it is best birded by walking down the Handicapped Access Road . This road, which is not labeled on the park map, is the first road to the right (west) after coming in the 71st Street Entrance. There is a gate constructed of large metal piping that sits at the beginning of the Handicapped Access Road where it intersects with Eagle Creek Parkway. With a handicapped parking permit, one can drive down this road and park where it dead-ends near the creek. Without a permit, you can pull off and park in the gravel area along Eagle Creek Parkway just to the right of the metal gate. The half-mile walk down to the end of the Handicapped Access Road offers great views of the sanctuary, which first appears on the left about midway down the road. At the end of the Handicapped Access Road, one can look straight ahead to see the waters of Eagle Creek flowing around the Bird Sanctuary to feed the reservoir that lies to the south. During dry months the creek will be relatively low at this spot and much of the area straight ahead will be exposed, creating optimal shorebird habitat.

Coffer Dam is the name of the earthen retention wall that surrounds the Bird Sanctuary. A gravel trail on the dam provides access along its entire length, allowing birders to thoroughly check the remote corners of the sanctuary for waterfowl. The southern arm of Coffer Dam (on the opposite side from the Handicapped Access Road) separates the sanctuary from the reservoir, and as such is a good vantage point to scan the northern end of the reservoir. The trail on Coffer Dam begins as soon as you turn left at the end of the Handicapped Access Road. This trail is roped off to prevent vehicular traffic but is accessible to foot traffic.

The only trail that branches off to the right of the Handicapped Access Road leads to the North Loop , the northernmost trail in the park. Although this trail is not shown on the park map, it courses through many interesting habitats: woodlands, brushy early successional areas, grasslands, mudflats, and creeks. The North Loop is perhaps best known for the good shorebird habitat found along its northern and western boundaries. Walk straight ahead on the North Loop trail to its northernmost extent, where the trail re-enters a wooded area and begins to gently curve to the left; at this point, short paths connect the trail to an extensive mudflat lying immediately to the right (north) of the wooded area. In the fall when water levels are low, this mudflat can be very productive for shorebirds and wading birds; in the spring water levels are almost always too high to attract shorebirds. As the main trail continues curving to the left, it begins to run directly alongside Eagle Creek. Shorebirds are often observed here feeding along the banks and sandbars of the creek. The trail eventually loops back and connects to an earlier section of the trail--turn right to get back to the Handicapped Access Road. The open brushy and grassy areas of the North Loop can be good for Orchard Oriole, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Blue-winged Warbler.

Two productive trails to walk during spring passerine migration are Warbler Alley and the South Overlook Trail. Since the end of Warbler Alley is very near the beginning of the South Overlook Trail, the two easily can be walked in succession in 1-1.5 hours. Doing the two in succession also allows you to stop by the Nature Center where you can scan the Bird Sanctuary and check the feeders before heading back to your car. Warbler Alley is a name given by local birders to a relatively short trail running along the western edge of Lilly Lake. As the name suggests, this trail has proven to be one of the most productive sites in central Indiana for warblers and other migrant passerines. To access Warbler Alley, turn east onto 65th Street, which is the first left turn after entering the park from the 71st Street Entrance. Almost immediately after turning left, a small gravel parking lot will appear on the left (this lot is labeled on the park map). Park at this lot, cross 65th Street, and walk toward the small stagnant pond slightly to the right. Stay on the right edge of the pond and continue toward the woods to where a trail becomes evident. The trail can be seen on the park map as beginning at the "M12" triangle and ending at the "NE1" triangle. At the end of Warbler Alley, you will find yourself on an earthen embankment that holds back the waters of Lilly Lake. To get to the South Overlook Trail , turn right and walk down this embankment to the road (Eagle Creek Parkway). Turn right (north) on Eagle Creek Parkway and walk a short distance to where a trail appears on the other side of the road. This is the beginning of the South Overlook Trail, which is NOT shown on the park map. The distance from the beginning of the South Overlook Trail back to the parking lot is just over a mile. Once beginning the South Overlook Trail, stay straight until it begins curving to the right. At the highest point on this curve you will see the wooden deck that "overlooks" the south end of the Bird Sanctuary. The entire area around this curve and wooden deck can be a real hotspot for warblers in the spring. Continuing on the trail takes you along the eastern edge of the Bird Sanctuary, which can be good for Prothonotary Warblers in May and June. When you reach a fork in the trail at an area of broken down chain link fencing, take the trail to the left--this eventually leads to a paved road that takes you to the Nature Center. To get back to the parking lot from the Nature Center, walk north past the Ecology Pond to the one-way road that leads to the Nature Center from Eagle Creek Parkway. Walk down this road to the next intersection (Eagle Creek Parkway), and continue to the parking lot which is just ahead on the left.

In the eastern part of the park there are four small ponds off of Reed Road which can be good for waterfowl, rails, and other marsh-loving species. The most accessible of these ponds is the Ice Skating Pond which is labeled on the park map. American Woodcocks, Pied-billed Grebes, Willow Flycatchers, and Yellow Warblers all nest at the Ice Skating Pond. Least Bitterns and Common Moorhens have nested here in the past, and American Bitterns are found annually during spring migration. Other migrants found here include Soras and Virginia Rails, both of which appear in good numbers in the spring. Marsh Wrens transiently inhabit the cattails around the Ice Skating Pond in both the spring and the fall.

Eagle Creek Reservoir can also be accessed from Rick's Cafe Boatyard on the southern end of the reservoir near the dam. To reach this site from the 56th Street park entrance, turn left (east) onto 56th Street for a few hundred feet, then turn right (south) onto Reed Road. At the "T" intersection of Reed Road with 46th Street, turn right onto 46th Street, which curves around and becomes Dandy Trail. Rick's Cafe Boatyard is the large restaurant/marina on the right side of Dandy Trail before it intersects with 38th Street.

Typical Time to Bird Site: 1-3 Hours

Birds:

Overview:

Loons, grebes, waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, gulls, terns, flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers are all regular in season at Eagle Creek.

Specialty Species:

Double-crested Cormorants are often perched on or near the boulders in the middle of the Bird Sanctuary as long as open water is available.

American Woodcock can be heard calling at dawn and dusk near the Ice Skating Pond and at the playground on Eagle Creek Parkway from mid-March through early May.

Willow Flycatchers breed annually at Coffer Dam, the Ice Skating Pond, and the western edge of the North Loop (near the lake).

Philadelphia Vireos can be found in the mowed field lanes east of the Ice Skating Pond and south along the paved road that lies further east of the pond. Watch for them in the fall as they feed on the berries of the many dogwood trees in this area.

Noteworthy Records:

Pacific Loon - (Oct-1997)

Red-necked Grebe - (12-Mar-1972)

Eared Grebe - (25-Jan-1989)

Brown Pelican - (15-May-2004 through present)

American White Pelican - (01-06-Apr-1989); (24-25-Oct-1988)

Tricolored Heron - (08-09-Jul-1979)

Trumpeter Swan - (12-May-1988)

Eurasian Wigeon - (recent spring record)

Surf Scoter - (Nov-1997)

Mississippi Kite

Northern Goshawk - (Nov-1995)

Swainson's Hawk - (25-Apr-1996)

Yellow Rail - (28-Apr-1989)

Piping Plover - (16-18-Aug-1989)

American Avocet - (27-Aug-1972); (16-Aug-1986); (Nov-1995); (07-Aug-1997); (01-06-Oct-1999)

Hudsonian Godwit - (05-15-Oct-1988)

Marbled Godwit - (18-Aug-1985)

Laughing Gull - (17-May-1986); (02-May-1987); (06-Apr-1989)

Franklin's Gull - (2-May-1987); (08-Oct-1997); (several other recent fall sight records)

Glaucous Gull - (04-05-Mar-1990)

Great Black-backed Gull - (20-Dec-1997 through 01-Jan-1998)

Black-legged Kittiwake - (25-Oct-1988)

Ross's Gull - (01-10-Nov-1995)

California Gull - (19-Jul-1980)

Least Tern - (10-Sept-1983)

Northern Saw-whet Owl - (Dec-1995 through Jan-1996)

Western Kingbird - (28-Aug-1977)

Clay-colored Sparrow - (2-May-1987)

Yellow-headed Blackbird - (8-May-1976)

Common Redpolls

Evening Grosbeaks

Red Crossbills

White-winged Crossbills

General:

Ownership:

City of Indianapolis

Indy Parks and Recreation

Site Phone Number: 317-327-7110

Hours:

Dawn to dusk year-round.

Fees:

Find fee information at the Indy Parks and Recreation - Eagle Creek link below. An annual Indy Parks pass is available.

Restrooms:

Indoor facilities available at the Nature Center and the shelters. Portable restrooms are scattered throughout the park.

Lodging:

While there are no camping facilities available at Eagle Creek Park, hotel/motel accommodations can be found throughout the greater Indianapolis area.

Special Considerations:

Bird Hikes led by local experts are conducted each Sunday at 9:00 am from the Nature Center.

Temporal Considerations:

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.

Directions:

From the North: Take I-65 south to the northwest side of Indianapolis and exit west onto 71st Street at exit #124. Heading west on 71st Street leads directly to the North Gate of the park. Once inside the park, 71st Street becomes Eagle Creek Parkway, the main north-south road that runs between the North Gate (at 71st Street) and South Gate (at 56th Street). The Handicapped Access Road will be the first road to the right after entering the park through the 71st Street entrance.

From the East: Take I-70 west into downtown Indianapolis. Exit onto I-65 north at exit #112. 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.

From the West: Take I-70 east to I-465 north (exit #9). Continuing north on I-465, exit north onto I-65 at exit #20. Exit west onto 71st Street at exit #124 and continue into the park.

References:

Keller, Charles E.

"The Birds of Greater Indianapolis and the Adjacent Area."

Indiana Audubon Quarterly 70.1 (1992): 1-50.

Keller, Charles E.

"Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Occurs in Marion County, Indiana."

Indiana Audubon Quarterly 68.3 (1990): 140.

Keller, Charles E., and Timothy C. Keller.

Birds of Indianapolis: A Guide to the Region.

Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1993.

Keller, Charles E., Shirley A. Keller, and Timothy C. Keller.

Indiana Birds and Their Haunts: A Checklist and Finding Guide. Second Edition.

Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986.

Peavler, Larry.

"Ross' Gull - A New Addition to the Avifauna of Indiana."

Indiana Audubon Quarterly 74.1 (1996): 52-3.

Pettingill Jr., Olin Sewall.

A Guide to Bird Finding East of the Mississippi. Second Edition.

New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.

Seng, Phil T., and David J. Case.

Indiana Wildlife Viewing Guide.

Helena, MT: Falcon Press, 1992.

Starling, Al, and Sheila Smith.

"Birds of Big Eagle Creek Valley: Summer and Fall, 1969."

Indiana Audubon Quarterly 48.2 (1970): 72-7.

White, Mel.

National Geographic Guide to Birdwatching Sites - Eastern U.S.

Washington, D.C.: The National Geographic Society, 1999.

Links:

Indy Parks and Recreation - Eagle Creek

A nice description of the activities and resources available at Eagle Creek Park as well as maps of the park.

Eagle Creek Park Foundation, Inc.

An informative website with up-to-date news and a calendar of events.