Kosciusko County is home to multiple bird watching sites and hundreds of different species of birds. The most popular times to bird watch are during spring and fall migration. We’ve gathered information from the Indiana Audubon Society, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indian Birding Trail and Acres Land Trust to provide you with a guide to birding in Kosciusko County.
Here is a link to The Guide to the Indiana Birding Trail by the Indiana Audubon Society. This provides bird watching information for the state of Indiana Birding Trail.
Here is a link to the Indiana Bird Checklist.
Birding Ethics
Please follow the Birding Ethics provided by the Indiana Audubon Society.
“Whether you’re out casually hiking any of these great birding sites, or seeking out some of our most unique birds, there are some important guidelines to make sure you enjoy all our wildlife without causing harm. It’s important to ensure the success of our bird populations. Therefore, we offer the following suggestions to maximize your visit while having the most minimal impact to our birds. For more information on birding ethics, visit the American Birding Association (ABA) website” (Indiana Birding Trail).
- Stay on paths, roads, and trails where available to limit habitat disturbance.
- Keep noise to a minimum and limit bird song playback. Do not use playback in heavily birded areas.
- Crouch down to make yourself appear smaller or consider using a blind.
- Limit flash photography, artificial lighting, and sound recordings.
- Always keep your distance from nesting, display, and important feeding sites.
- Make sure you pick up all trash and supplies used while viewing.
- Abide by the laws and rights pertaining to each property you are visiting. Be conscious of hours of operation, appropriate parking areas, and other visitors to the property.
- Be a role model and advocate for birding in Indiana. Lead others by example and please encourage onlookers to learn about birding and the Indiana Birding Trail.
Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area
Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 3,546 acres of land, with 650 acres of lakes and impoundments. This area is composed of flat to rolling upland fields and gradual to steep slopes of oak-hickory woodlands, falling off to depressions of wetlands. Tri-County includes 10 natural lakes with water depths of 75 feet. The wetland is an important area for migratory waterfowl, furbearers, shorebirds and fish.
Please review the Indiana DNR rules before going.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3082.htm
Best Times to Bird: Pigeon River FWA can have productive birding at all times of the year. The greatest diversity of birds will be during the spring and fall migrations.
Restrictions: Fishing and hunting are permitted on the property; during hunting seasons, birders should take care to avoid units where hunters may be present.
Pisgah Marsh Area & Boardwalk
Explore four protected areas with various plant and animal species and over 290 bird species at Pisgah Marsh & Boardwalk. The boardwalk and Golden Eagle Deck are in Area 1 to provide access to the property (Indiana Department of Natural Resources). Pisgah Areas 1, 2 and 3 totals 445 acres of grassland, wetland, upland forest and lake habitat.
Restrictions: Fishing and hunting are permitted on the property; during hunting seasons, birders should take care to avoid units where hunters may be present.
Wildwood Nature Preserve
This preserve has a small pond surrounded by forest, pools scattered beneath the trees, a pine planting, numerous wetlands, and a prairie. There are oak and hickory and many more species of trees as well as numerous species of wildflowers. Various birds can be seen at Wildwood, from wood ducks on the pond, to several species of woodpeckers in the woods, including red-headed and pileated. The variety of terrain provides habitats for a wide cross section of local wildlife. It is managed by Acres Land Trust and is open daily from dawn to dusk. It covers 235.5 acres of land. The trail length is 4.5 miles.
Wawasee Area Conservancy Syracuse Wetland Trails
Situated near Wawasee Lake, Conklin Bay Wetlands, and the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center, the Syracuse Lake Wetland Trails consist of three trails which wind through the area. On these trails, you can see beautiful wetlands, wooded areas, and lakeshore. These trails are owned by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, whose mission is to protect the natural wetlands in the area. Trails are open from dawn to dusk every day, so feel free to take a walk anytime at this beautiful location.
Conklin Bay Board Walk
The Conklin Bay Boardwalk extends the existing eleven miles of trail with a one-third-mile wetland boardwalk along with two-thirds more miles of concrete trail. The new section of trail opened officially in May of 2020 and runs through the Rolland Wetland Conservation Area. Plus, it includes four overlook sections for visitors to admire the view and watch for birds.
Beyer Farm Boardwalk Trail
The Beyer Farm Boardwalk Trail not only offers a tranquil escape for those in our community, but it also helps educate the public about the surrounding wetlands, from explaining the functions of it as well as both the wildlife and vegetation that is present. When walking or riding on this trail, you will find about 1800 feet of boardwalk, encompassed in the wetlands with a new addition of a stone amphitheater located near the Kosciusko Community Hospital. Upon exiting the wetlands, an asphalt trail will appear near the lake shore to the Pike Lake Campground.
Wild Spaces Brochure & Maps
Check out our Wild Spaces brochure and maps as you plan out your next bird watching adventure in Kosciusko County.
Always check park rules and hours before visiting. Enjoy bird watching in Kosciusko County this season and Live Well in The Moment.