Print these directions.     Go Birding !!!

In migration, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows can occur throughout the park. Search the woodland edge of recreation areas which contain some ground cover. Some species of sparrows prefer grassland, or open brush areas. These species include Leconte's, Henslow's, Grasshopper, Savannah, American Tree and Field Sparrows. This tour takes you to those grassland areas where these species might be found.

From the ticket terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport, drive east from the terminal.  Follow the I-465 North/I-70 Exit signs.  Veer right (south) on the "I-465 North/74 Exit Only" sign.  Drive north on I-465 North for roughly 10 miles.  Veer right (east) on Exit#21/71st Street.  Stay in the left lane as you approach the Exit #21 stop light.  Turn left (west) on 71st Street and stay in the right lane.  Drive west on 71st Street for roughly 1 mile.  At the second stop light, turn right (north) on Lafayette Road.  Stay in the left lane and drive north for roughly 1/2 mile.  When you see the Farm Bureau Co-Op building on the left (west) side of the road, turn left (west) on Traders Lane / C.R.7700 N. (the Pike Township Fire Station 12 is on the southwest corner).  Drive west on Traders Lane as it takes you over the I-65 overpass and veers (left) south.  Traders Lane will end at a elbow-right in the road.  At the elbow, turn right (west) on Wilson's Road.  Drive west for roughly 1/10 of a mile.  Turn left (south) and park in front of the locked, yellow iron gates.  A looped, gravel parking lot is just beyond the yellow iron gates.  Lock your vehicle.  Hike the trail leading southeast, from the gravel-looped parking lot.  When you reach the tall grass prairie, turn right (south).  Sparrows can occur in the tall grass prairie to your left (east).  Sparrows and warblers can occur in the brushy woodland edge to your right (west).  The trail will elbow left (east) after roughly 100 yards.  Walk east 10 yards and turn right (south), following the foot path to the wetlands observation deck.  From the observation deck, scan the creek and cattail marsh for wetland species.  When finished, walk north back to the prairie.  Turn right (east) and search for a foot trail which cuts southeast through the woods.  This foot trail will lead you southeast, down to the edge of Eagle Creek Reservoir.  Scan the reservoir for waterfowl and shorebirds.  When finished, turn around and retrace your steps back to the prairie.  When you see the east edge of the prairie, cut right (north) through the woods.  Hike north, up the east edge of the prairie.  One can walk a short distance into the prairie in search of sparrows.  Pishing might bring some sparrows up on a weed stalk for easy viewing.  One can only walk half way up the east side of the prairie. When you encounter private property, turn around and follow the edge of the prairie back to your vehicle.   From the gravel-looped parking lot, turn right (east) on Wilson's Road.  At the elbow in the road, turn left (north) on Traders Lane.  Traders Lane will veer east and take you over the I-65 overpass. Turn right (south) on Lafayette Road/C.R. 7900 W.  Drive south on Lafayette Road to the 1st stop light.  Turn right (west) on 71st Street/C.R.7100 N.  Drive west, under the I-65 overpass and to the 71st Street Entrance of Eagle Creek Park.  From the 71st Street Entrance, drive straight (south) on Eagle Creek Parkway.  Drive past 65th Street to the 1st T-section. This is 62nd Street, but it is unmarked. A yellow and black elbow sign will signal this turn. You will see Eagle Creek Reservoir on your right (west).  Turn left (east) at this T-section (62nd Street).  Continue driving straight (east), after the 4-way stop.  At the 1st T-section after the 4-way stop, turn right (south) [Reed's Picnic Shelter is on the right (southwest) corner of this T-section].  This is Reed Road, but it is unmarked.  Drive south on Reed Road for roughly 100 yards.  Turn left (east) and park near the Warming Hut and Ice Skating Pond.  Scan the Ice Skating Pond for wetland species. When finished, walk to the south side of the Warming Hut.  From the large cement block, hike east on the grass service road. The Ice Skating Pond is on your left (north). Two cattail ponds are to your right (south).  Search and listen for wetland species. Skulking warblers can also occur here.  At the next trail intersection, continue straight (east).  Hike 10 yards and veer right (southeast).  Walk roughly 20 yards and turn left (east).  Hike east to the paved road (Parkway East Drive-unmarked).  Turn left (north) on Parkway East Drive.  Hike roughly 20 yards north.  Turn left (west) on the next grassy trail.  Hike west, back to the grass trail intersection (by the Ice Skating Pond).  At this intersection, turn right (north).  Follow the edge of the Ice Skating Pond north, and then west, back to Reed Road.  Walk west across Reed Road.  Follow the grass trail west to the 1st intersection (a tree is in the middle of this intersection).  Turn left (south) at this intersection.  This brushy, wooded wetland area is good for sparrows, rails, waders and dabbling ducks.  When you reach the 1st fork in the trail, veer left (southeast).  Hike 10 yards and turn left (east), at the very next truck trail.  Hike east to the brown roofed, cement building.  Turn left (north) at the paved gravel road just beyond this building (Reed Road).  Walk north to your vehicle at the Ice Skating Pond.  From the Ice Skating Pond, drive north on Reed Road to the dead end/T-section.  Turn right (east) on 62nd Street (unmarked).  62nd Street will veer south and become Parkway East Drive (unmarked here).  You will see a green "Spring Pond Nature Preserve" sign on the left (east) side of the road.  As Parkway East Drive veers right (southwest) , you will see a small pond on the left (southeast) side of the road (just after the yellow and black, "15 MPH Curve" sign).  Turn left (east), and park in the small gravel pull-off.  Hike east, along the north border of the pond.  At the first truck trail intersection, hike straight (east).  There are three grassland areas here that are separated by two tree lines.  The three sections of grasslands are surrounded by deciduous woods to the north, east and south.  Hike east on the grassy truck trail. Listen for sparrows in the grasslands to your right (south). Walking a short distance into the grasslands may flush sparrows into view.  When this truck trail dead ends at the east woods, turn left (north).  Hike north through the tree line.  Explore the middle (central) grasslands for migrating sparrows.  Continue hiking north through the second tree line.  The third (north) grassland area is more brush than grasslands. The trail will weave north through a brushy area to a small cattail marsh on your right (northeast).  From the edge of the cattails, listen for rails and bitterns.  Continue hiking north to you dead end at the north woods (Spring Pond Nature Preserve).  Turn left (west), and follow the woodland edge.  When you reach the open mowed area, turn left (south).  Hike south along the west edge of the grassland areas.  When you reach the small pond along Parkway East Drive, turn right (west) and return to your vehicle.

                                                   END OF TOUR