Description:
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- Taltree Arboretum & Gardens
is poised at the cusp of several extraordinary geological crossroads.
The eastern portion of the region that is today the Midwest was once
wooded with savanna and prairie openings scattered throughout. The
western edge was primarily tall grass prairie that swept to the
mountains in the west. Taltree is located on the eastern edge of what
was once the beginning of that tall grass prairie. Taltree is working
to restore an example of the prairie that existed in this region when
Indiana became a state.
The arboretum is also situated on the dividing line of the region's
watershed. In the eastern half of the United States the two largest
watersheds are the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The division
of these two watersheds is known as a “continental
divide”. This divide is located at the northern edge of
Taltree. Streams at Taltree flow both north and south. Northward
flowing water drains into the Little Calumet Watershed, which drains
into the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes and surrounding lands form one
large watershed, or drainage basin, that flows into the Atlantic Ocean
through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Southward flowing water drains into
the Kankakee Watershed, which eventually drains into the Mississippi
River, ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1990, Damien and Rita Gabis purchased 72 acres of land in Union
Township, Porter County, Indiana and constructed a residence on the
property. With additional land purchases, the property grew to its
present size of 360 acres and came to be known as Taltree.
Initial groundwork for the arboretum began in 1996. Since then,
significant funds have been invested to support continuing
conservation, ecological, horticultural and educational activities.
Hiking trails were constructed, wetlands and prairies were created with
the pre-settlement landscape in mind and the management of invasive
flora began. Given Taltree's natural history and namesake, the Gabis
family began the property's first formal tree collection by acquiring
48 species of oak acorns in 1997. Later that year the Gabis Family
Foundation was established as an Indiana not-for-profit corporation to
fund and operate Taltree. In 2002, the Foundation became the Taltree
Arboretum & Gardens Foundation.
The site contains a mixture of upland Oak-Hickory woodlands, savanna
woodlands, wetlands and a large prairie area that is managed to
maintain native conditions. The topography is relatively flat,
alternating with gently rolling hills in an area where glacial moraines
were created thousands of years ago. This slightly hilly character is
in sharp contrast to the very flat areas to the south near the Kankakee
River.
The trails are extensive, but very tasteful for a relatively small
preserve. Because of the way this land sits, the visitor will not feel
that this is an isolated “island”. Nor will the
visitor lack for places to spend either a few minutes to get a quick
feel for what is here, or for hours to spend walking the trails. While
many of the most rewarding sites for natural history
study--particularly for birds and key plant communities--are very close
to the parking lot, spending more time and covering all the trails will
be quite rewarding.
The most noteworthy birding site is the Prairie Area.
This area is immediately adjacent to the east of the parking lot. Walk
southeast from the parking lot to the first interpretive sign that says
“The Prairie”; you will be on the edge of a
maintained grassy area and the prairie. In this area, you will find
nesting Bobolinks, and Savannah, Song, and Field Sparrows. You may also
locate at least one Grasshopper Sparrow on territory and perhaps the
colony of Henslow's Sparrows. The Henslow's soft call is short,
cricket-like, and easily over looked (you must be close by to hear it).
The bird will, however, eventually move to a spot where you can see it
as it defends its territory. They seem to prefer the cool season grass
area immediately to the west of the prairie sign. Vesper Sparrows can
also be seen here. This is one of the best and most convenient
locations for sparrows in this area. You can easily find some less
common nesting sparrow species and, during migration, rarities can also
be observed. Bobolinks abound, watching them defend their territories
and hearing their banjo like song makes every visit in summer feel
special and this in itself, makes the visit worthwhile--let alone the
promise of any other sightings and experiences you may have.
The remaining prairie area along the Bluebird Trail
has many of the same species, including Eastern Bluebird. Continuing
along the Bluebird Trail, hedgerows and wood edges to the east and
south contain Vesper Sparrows, Chats, Brown Thrashers, Red-tailed
Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Black-billed Cuckoos,
Baltimore Orioles and Indigo Buntings. The Wetlands
are located to the south,
west of the prairie. The many ponds and streams that interconnect
contain Cuckoos, Blue-winged Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Chestnut-sided
Warblers, Yellow breasted Chats, and Tree Swallows. Common ducks and
waders are also present. In migration, both Sharp-tailed and Harris'
Sparrows have been found near the prairie / pond border.
Immediately west of the parking lot is Heron Pond
and the Heron Pond Woodlands. This is an
interesting area with migrating birds favoring the west side. In
summer, Scarlet Tanagers and Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos are
found. Leaving the pavilion westward on the Owl Trail
you encounter the Buttonbush Swamp, a wet open
meadow fringed by willows, a few hundred yards down the trail. This
area of forest is a unique ecosystem welcoming many interesting species
of grassland and woodland birds, particularly during migration. The Owl
Trail, habitat for several interesting birds, continues through the
woodlands and will eventually bear left or south after crossing a
streamside thicket, looping back to the east and connecting to the
Bluebird Trail. Brewster's Warbler, Blue, Golden-winged and Mourning
Warblers, and both species of Waterthrush have been found all along
this path.
The Savanna Areas, located throughout the margins
of the main areas mentioned host Eastern Screech and Great Horned Owls.
Whip-poor-wills and numerous American Woodcock have been found during
migration in the more open areas.
During migration, the woods along the west side of the entrance road
should always be checked as you drive into the arboretum. This
IS NOT Taltree property, so do so by opening your car windows
and listening for the familiar songs of migrating warblers (or perhaps
silence on a “flight” day). As with most birding
sites away from Lake Michigan or other migration barriers, the birds
are either there or they are not. There are always some migrants near
the Heron Pond in late April and May, however. On the right day (rain
and wind), significant numbers and diversity of migrants may choose to
sit down in this entrance road woodlot. Nearly 30 species have been
seen here at one time. Mourning, Connecticut, and virtually all the
Warblers and migrating land birds can be found from the gravel road (do
not enter into the woods, this is not Taltree property).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher and other Eastern Woodland
species are common.
One never knows what will be seen at Taltree in any given season.
Mammals, such as White-tailed deer and Coyotes, appear quite tame,
allowing close study where there is a very low density of humans on
most days. Undoubtedly, new sightings of species that are expanding
their range, such as Wild Turkey (already sighted), may eventually take
up residence at this paradise that is so close to a very high level of
human activity and development. This is also an excellent place for
photography. The high diversity of habitats located relatively close to
one another create a very good mix of opportunities. If you plan on
photographing birds while at Taltree you must do so from the trail. If
you are found off of the trail you will be asked to leave the property.
- Typical Time to Bird Site:
- 1-2 Hours, although it is easy to spend more time
than this. The time you spend birding depends on your patience and
species of interest.
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