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DIRECTIONS: From the 2nd cattail marsh, drive east 8/10 of
a mile to the stop sign/T-section. Turn left (north) on C.R. 125 W. Drive
north 1 mile to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (east) on C.R. 1150 S. Drive
east 8/10 of a mile to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (south) on C.R. 300
W. Drive south 1/2 mile and turn left (east) on C.R. 1200 S. (Adams County)/C.R.
900 N. (Jay County). To your left (north) is Adams County. To your right (south)
will be Jay County. Search for grassland species along this road. The D.N.R.
owns most of the property on the north side of the road. They are trying to
acquire all the farm land on both side of the road. They plan to flood the land
north of C.R. 1200 S. in 2 years (2006), creating the LIMBERLOST SWAMP WETLAND
PRESERVE. Let's hope they can stay on schedule. The part of this preserve along
S.R. 27 and south of C.R. 1100 S., already has a substantial amount of water in
it. Once this 531 acres is flooded, there will be 2 major wetlands within 5
minutes of each other. You will be able to bird the 428 acre Loblolly Marsh in
Jay County, which has 4 major marshes in each corner of the preserve. Then spend
5 minutes driving to the Limberlost Swamp in Adams County, where there will be
another 531 acres of pristine wetlands, planted in native grasses. When this
happens, the Limberlost area will become one of the most important birding sites
on the east side of the state. The LONG RANGE GOAL is to connect the 2 preserves
by buying the farm land along Loblolly Creek. A wetlands corridor would stretch
from the Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve at S.R. 27 and C.R. 1100 S., to the
Loblolly Marsh Wetland Preserve on S.R. 18 and C.R. 250 W. This would create a
wetlands which could be 1500 to 2000 acres large. WOW!!! This
may be 10 to 15 years away, but lets hope this dream comes true. Drive
east on C.R. 1200 S./C.R. 900 N. Drive east 1.7 miles to the 2-way stop.
Drive straight (east), across S.R. 27. From S.R. 27, drive east on C.R. 1200 S.
for 1/2 mile. Turn right (south) into the LIMBERLOST BIRD SANCTUARY parking lot.
A trail head leads south from the parking lot. A grassland area is on the west
side of the sanctuary. When you are finished birding here, turn left (west) on
C.R. 1200 S. Drive west 1/2 mile, back to S.R. 27. Turn right (north) on
S.R. 27. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 1100 S. (the Red
Gold plant is here). The wetlands along this road are maintained by Red Gold. In
spring, check the flooded fields along this road for shorebirds. When you reach
the stop sign/T-section, turn around and return west on C.R. 1100 S. Drive
west 8/10 of a mile, back to S.R. 27/C.R. 125 W. Drive north 3/10 of a mile and turn right (east) on
Sixth Street. Turn right immediately into the LIMBERLOST STATE HISTORIC SITE
parking lot. This is the home of Gene Stratton-Porter. The D.N.R. is
headquartered here. When you are finished touring this historic site, turn right
(north) on S. Main Street/S.R. 27. Drive 1.3 miles north and turn right
(east) on C.R. 950 S. (a large blue "Amishville USA" sign is here). Drive
east 1.1 miles and turn right (south), immediately after the cement Wabash River
Bridge. Veer right and park in the gravel lot next to the WABASH RIVER.
Scan the marsh to your east for waterfowl and waders. Walk south on the gravel
road. To your left (east) will be a native tall grass Prairie. To your right
(west) will be the woodland edge of the Wabash River. The gravel road will end
at around 1/4 mile. From that point, a dirt road will continue south along the
Wabash River.
END OF TOUR
Left click on picture to make it full size.
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