Location:

Northeast Indiana

Allen County, Indiana

DeLorme Page 29, Grid A-10 (Labeled "Hurshtown Reservoir")

Description:

Hurshtown Reservoir stores a backup water supply for the municipality of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Over 1.8 billion gallons of water from the nearby St. Joseph River are contained within its banks. From May 1st through September 30th of each year, the reservoir is open as a public park, during which time birding visits are allowed. Motor vehicles are prohibited on the perimeter road surrounding the reservoir, but birders can walk or bicycle around its 2.8-mile circumference. For a quick scan without any walking, telescopes can be set up near the Admission Shack at the eastern edge of the reservoir. Admission fees may be waived for birders making short visits to quickly scope the reservoir from the Admission Shack. Additionally, scopes can be set up outside of the main gate on the east side of the reservoir to get a quick look at a large section of water.

Unfortunately, the reservoir is CLOSED to the public from October 1 through April 30--the heart of the waterfowl migration in northeast Indiana. However, Stockbridge Audubon Society usually makes arrangements for two spring field trips (March-April) and two fall field trips (late October-November) on Sunday afternoons. For dates and times consult the field trip schedule on the Stockbridge Audubon website, http://members.aol.com/StockbridgeAS. Birders can also view the reservoir by parking in front of the gate and setting up a scope on the high ground across the road from the gate. Please do not park in the pull-in across the road from the gate; it is part of a private driveway.

Typical time required to bird the area: 1-2 hours.

Birds:

Overview:

Loons, grebes, ducks, and geese occur regularly at Hurshtown during migration, mostly late February-early April and late October-early December. Some water birds stay until the reservoir freezes over in winter. Other water-associated migrants, such as terns and a few shorebirds, can sometimes be found in season, especially in late afternoon or early evening. Non-breeding Common Loons have occasionally summered.

Specialty Species:

Eared Grebes have visited the reservoir with some regularity, mostly in April and late October-November. Tundra Swans are possible in March and in late October-early December.

Noteworthy Records:

Pacific Loon - (28 Oct. - 25 Nov. 1980 and 17 Nov. 1996)

Red-throated Loon

Red-necked Grebe

American White Pelican - (7 July 1997)

Cattle Egret - (1 Nov. 1998)

Ross's Goose - (29 Nov. - 2 Dec. 1998)

White-winged Scoter

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck - (24 Oct. 1999)

Piping Plover - (16 Aug. 2002; in parking lot)

Franklin's Gull - (11-15 Nov. 1998)

Little Gull - (29 Oct. 2000)

Black-legged Kittiwake - (29 Oct. 2006)

General:

Ownership:

City of Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department

260-627-3390

1 May through 30 September: Thursday - Monday, 6:00 am - 8:00 pm (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

1 October through 30 April: Closed.

Fees:

Click on the Hurshtown Reservoir link below for the current admission fee required to enter the park when it is open to the public. This fee may be waived to birders who consult with park staff to briefly set up their scopes from the Admission Shack at the east end. An annual pass is also available.

Access Restrictions:

Hurshtown Reservoir is CLOSED to the general public from October 1st to April 30th of each year.  Without internal access birding is limited to viewing the reservoir from outside the East Gate.

Restrooms:

Pit toilets are located at the edge of the gravel parking lot.

Lodging:

Ample hotel accommodations are available in nearby Fort Wayne.

Special Considerations:

Traffic: Roth Road, the only road leading to the reservoir's main entrance, often has extraordinarily fast moving traffic. Compounding this danger is the hilly nature of Roth Road as it approaches the reservoir. Please use extreme caution when driving along this road and entering and exiting the site. Additionally, be aware of slow-moving Amish buggies often found along Roth Road, Grabill Road, and other paved and unpaved roads in the area.

Temporal Considerations:

Although the uncommon to rare birds tend to occur from late October through mid-November, visits at anytime during spring or fall waterfowl migrations can be quite fruitful. March through early to mid-April is the best time to make a spring visit to Hurshtown. Remember that access during either of these periods requires special arrangements.

Directions:

From the North/South: Take I-69 to the north side of Fort Wayne and exit onto SR 1 (exit #116). Go north on SR 1 for about 12 miles, passing through the towns of Cedarville and Leo. Turn right (south) on Roth Road; there is a small brown sign for Hurshtown Reservoir at the intersection of SR 1 and Roth Rd. The reservoir is on the right after about a mile.

From the West: Take either US 30 or US 24 eastward to I-69 on the west side of Fort Wayne. Exit north onto I-69 and continue to the SR 1 exit (exit# 116). Go north on SR 1 for about 12 miles, passing through the towns of Cedarville and Leo. Turn right (south) on Roth Road; there is a small brown sign for Hurshtown Reservoir at the intersection of SR 1 and Roth Rd. The reservoir is on the right after about a mile.

References:

Etter, Brad.

"Sensational Birding at Allen County's Hurshtown Reservoir."

Indiana Audubon Quarterly 77.4 (1999): 242.

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.

Links:

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department - Hurshtown Reservoir

General information on Hurshtown Reservoir.

Credits: