INTRODUCTION: Loblolly Marsh sits on the northern border of Jay County. Created in 1997, Loblolly is divided into roughly four equal parts. C.R. 250 W. divides the wetland preserve vertically. Loblolly Creek divides it horizontally. There is a marsh in each section, each nourished by Loblolly Creek. Having four large, separate marshes is a tremendous advantage to birders. When one marsh does not provide suitable habitat for shorebirds, try the other three. The Loblolly Marsh is part of a restoration project designed to restore, in part, the Limberlost Swamp. The Limberlost Swamp consisted of 13,000 acres. It was drained in the early 1900's so it could be farmed. The world renowned nature writer, Gene Stratton-Porter, has written about the draining of this swamp in her books. The project is currently concentrated in two areas; the Loblolly Marsh Wetland Preserve (428 acres) and the Limberlost Swamp Wetland Preserve (531 acres).  Loblolly Marsh is in Jay County. The Limberlost Swamp Wetland Preserve is in Adams County. Limberlost sits on the Jay-Adams county line (C.R. 1200 S./C.R. 900 N.), on the Adams County side. Land acquisition is occurring on both sides of the county line. When they eventually flood the Limberlost, both sides of the road should be part of the Preserve and contain water. The Limberlost Preserve is scheduled to be flooded in two years (2006). Parts of the Limberlost along S.R. 27, just south of C.R. 1100 S., is already holding water. Once they flood the Limberlost there will be two large, pristine wetland areas only 5 minutes apart. The Loblolly/Limberlost Preserves will become one of the most important birding sites on the east side of the state. The long range goal is to connect the two preserves. This would be done by purchasing farm land along Loblolly Creek, creating a wetlands corridor connecting the two preserves. This could result in a wetland area 1500 to 2000 acres in size. Let's hope this dream comes true. Would you like to help this dream come true? If the answer is yes, buy a Indiana Heritage Trust License Plate.

DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of I-465 and I-69 in Indianapolis, drive north on I-69 for 64 miles. Veer right on Exit # 64/S.R. 18/Van Buren-Marion. Turn right (east) on S.R. 18. Drive east for 28 miles. Turn left (north) on C.R. 250 W. Drive north 3/10 of a mile and veer left onto the gravel pull-off on the west side of the road. Scan the marsh on the west side of C.R. 250 W. When finished, scan the marsh on the east side of the road. From this gravel pull-off on the west (left) side of the road, drive north 2/10 of a mile and veer right onto the gravel pull off on the right (east) side of the road. Scan the marsh to the right (east). Scan the field to the west, if it contains water. Walk south, back to the Loblolly Creek Bridge. 30 yards south of this bridge you will see a service road on the right (west) side of C.R. 250 W. Follow this service road west, along Loblolly Creek. It will take you to the west end of the southwest marsh. From the gravel pull-off on the east side of C.R. 250 W. (north of the Loblolly Creek Bridge), drive north 1/10 of a mile. Turn left (west) into the paved Loblolly Marsh parking lot. Walk west on the paved "Veronica's Trail" until it dead ends at the small marsh. Scan this small marsh for wetland species. About 10 yards to your left (south) will be a D.N.R. service road. This service road is not frequently used. Weeds can be waist high. Hike this road west and cross over a drainage ditch. You have 2 options here: 1. If you have hip boots on, you can turn left (south) and walk down to the marsh. Walking along the edge of the marsh can flush hidden birds. 2. Continue hiking northwest, toward the tree line which serves as the north border of Loblolly Marsh. Follow this gradually sloping hill to the largest tree on the north border. Scan the northwest marsh from this elevated position. When finished, walk east on this service road back to your vehicle. From the paved Loblolly parking lot, walk east across C.R. 250 W. to Trail 1. Walk east on Trail 1 for 1/4 mile. As you walk, bird the Northeast Marsh to your right (south). When you reach the trail head sign at the edge of Loblolly Woods, turn left (north). Walk north along the west edge of the woods. You will find a marsh in the northwest corner of Loblolly Woods. Scan this stick marsh for wetland species. When finished, turn around and walk south, back to the trail head sign at the edge of the woods. Take the Summer Trail, which leads east along the south edge of Loblolly Woods. Bird the woodland edge to your left (north) for warblers. Scan the Northeast Marsh to your right (south) for wetland species. When you reach the farm land at the east end of the Northeast Marsh, turn around and walk west back to your vehicle. It is possible to walk completely around the Northeast Marsh. I discourage this as the trail is not maintained and weeds can be chest high. From the paved parking lot of Loblolly Marsh, turn left (north) on C.R. 250 W. Drive north 3/10 of a mile to C.R. 850 N. Turn right (east) on C.R. 850 N. Drive east 2/10 of a mile and stop. Scan the marsh on the right (south) side of the road. Drive east 1/10 of a mile and scan the 2nd marsh on the right (south) side of the road. 

MOTELS AND FOOD:  From the intersection of S.R. 18 and C.R. 250 W. at Loblolly, turn left (east) on S.R. 18.  Drive east 3.6 miles to S.R. 27/S.R. 67 (a Shell Truck Stop is here).  Turn right (south) on S.R. 27.  Drive south 6.5 miles to Portland (6.5 miles south puts you at the Burger King and Richard's Restaurant. A wide selection of Restaurants: Dairy Queen, Ponderosa, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, McDonalds). 

THE DIRECTIONS OF THIS TOUR ARE CONTINUED ON THE ADAMS COUNTY WEB PAGE. LEFT CLICK ON YOUR BACK BUTTON, WHICH SHOULD TAKE YOU BACK TO THE EAST-CENTRAL WEB PAGE. THEN CLICK ON ADAMS COUNTY. YOU CAN ALSO LEFT CLICK ON HOME, THEN LEFT CLICK ON EAST-CENTRAL. THEN LEFT CLICK ON ADAMS COUNTY.