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5993 N. Messick Road, New Castle, In. 47362 Introduction Summit Lake became a State Park on January 9, 1988. The 2680 acres includes a 800 acre lake. Ziegler Woods Nature Preserve is also a part of the park. Summit Lake State Park is known first and foremost as a waterfowl migration site. It is one of the best sites for waterfowl migration away from Lake Michigan. Waterfowl counts can run as high as 3000+ on a good November day. Counts of over-wintering waterfowl can also run as high as 3000. Wintering waterfowl can usually be found near the dam, where open water can still be found. In November, most of the dabbling ducks will be at the Nature Area on County Road 500. Audubon Chapters from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky conduct annual field trips at Summit Lake during waterfowl migration. The State Park is also known for it's grassland areas. Grassland Areas exist both inside the park and along the county roads which encircle the park. Most of the grasslands along the county roads are owned by the Department of Natural Resources. Nesting grassland species include Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Bell's Vireo, Song Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, and Northern Bobwhite. Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers can usually be found here in winter. Ten Long-eared Owls were discovered wintering here on February 2, 2002. Shorebird productivity depends on water levels on Summit Lake and at the Nature Area. Shorebirds can be found along the shoreline and on the five islands out in the lake. There are nine woodlots which provide opportunities for songbird migration and nesting woodland species. Directions: From I - 465 in Indianapolis, take I - 69 north to the 2nd Anderson exit. Veer right on Exit # 26/S.R. 9 N./S.R.109 S. Turn right (south) on S.R. 109 S. Turn left (east) on S.R. 36. Continue east on S.R. 36, past the tiny town of Mount Summit and S.R. 3. After S.R. 3, start looking for the brown Summit Lake State Park sign and the green Messick Road sign. Turn left (north) on Messick Road. Messick Road will dead end at the Summit Lake State Park entrance. The photos below are some of the most popular birding locations at Summit Lake. Left click on the photo to make it full size.
Birders must access Summit Lake State Park through the front entrance. State Park property also exists along the surrounding county roads outside the front gates. This property can be successfully birded from the county roads. If one wants to access State Park property outside the front gates, permission MUST be obtained from the State Park Office. Areas which require permission include: Ziegler Nature Preserve, Rare Bird Bluff, service road on the Dam and all grassland areas (outside the front gate). County Roads which surround the park include: C.R. 600, C.R. 500, C.R. 750, Rodgersville Road and Muncie Pike. Photo #2 thru #6: Directions to the North Boat Launch - From the intersection of S.R. 36 and Messick Road, drive 1.2 miles north on Messick Road to the Summit Lake State Park entrance gate. From the entrance gate, drive 2/10 of a mile west to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (north), following the brown "Boat Ramp" arrow sign. Drive 1/2 mile north on the main park road to the North Boat Ramp. This is typically where most birders start during waterfowl migration. The heated restrooms are a welcome sight after a long drive to reach the park. Loons and diving ducks favor the deep water here. The coves on the east and west side of the parking lot usually harbor Teal and other dabbling ducks in migration. Photo #7 thru #9: Directions to the Beach Area - From the State Park entrance gate, drive 2/10 of a mile west to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (north), following the "Sunset Shelter" and "Boat Ramp" arrow signs. Drive 2/10 of a mile north and turn left at the "Concession" and "Beach" arrow signs. From the Beach parking lot, scan the cove and beach for shorebirds and waterfowl. Walk west past the beach concession stand. From the volleyball court, scan the island to your distant northwest and Summit Lake for waterfowl and shorebirds. The southwest tip of the beach is good for gulls. Always check the beach for shorebirds. Photo #10 thru #14: Directions to Sunset Shelter - From the State Park entrance gate, drive 2/10 of a mile west to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (north) on the main park road (following the "Sunset Shelter" arrow sign). Drive 1/10 of a mile north and turn left (west) at the "Sunset Shelter" arrow sign. Park in the paved lot and walk to the west side of Sunset Shelter. Scan the islands and Summit Lake for shorebirds and waterfowl. Be sure to bird the coves on the north and south side of Sunset Shelter. The muddy shores of these coves can harbor dabbling ducks, shorebirds and waders. I always head for Sunset Shelter when it starts raining or snowing. You can bird the entire lake from underneath the shelter. Photo #15 thru #17: Directions to the South Boat Launch (Small Boat Launch-Harvey Shelter-Boat Rental) - From the State Park entrance gate, drive 2/10 of a mile west to the stop sign/T-section. Turn left (south) on the main park road. Drive 2/10 of a mile south and turn right (west) at the "Harvey Shelter" and "Boat Rental" arrow signs. Drive 2/10 of a mile and park at the boat launch parking lot. Scan the cove to your south for waterfowl. Scan the dead trees to your west for Bald Eagle and Osprey. Photos #18 thru #22: Directions to the Nature Area - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.2 miles north and turn left into the grassy Nature Area parking lot. Walk a short distance north to the Nature Area. You can also park anywhere along the county road. Be sure to pull as far off the road as you possibly can. The Nature Area consists of 4 quadrants at the intersection of C.R. 500 E. and C.R. 750 N. The southwest quadrant (west side of C.R. 500), is Summit Lake. The southeast quadrant is the east marsh of the Nature Area. The northeast quadrant of this intersection is the north marsh of the Nature Area. The northwest quadrant is one of the largest grassland sections of Summit Lake State Park. The Nature Area is highly productive for waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and sparrows. Birds that have been found in the northwest quadrant - 10 Long-eared Owls, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl, White -crowned and White-throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawk. Birds that have been found in the southwest quadrant - Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Long-billed Dowitcher, Red Phalarope, 4 Black-crowned Night Herons, 135 Rusty Blackbirds and Greater White-fronted Goose. Birds that have been found in the southeast quadrant - Ruff, Eurasian Wigeon, 4 Little Blue Herons and 16 Great Egrets. Snowy Egret and Red-necked Phalarope have been found in the northeast quadrant. Photo #23 thru #24: Directions to Pintail Pond - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn right (east) on C.R. 750 N. Drive east 3/10 of a mile and park on the right. Pintail Pond will be on the left (north) side of the road. If you have a window mounted scope, it would be wise to use it here. Pintail Pond is right next to the road. Exiting your vehicle will probably flush everything in the pond. On the south side of the road (opposite Pintail Pond), is a marsh which is an extension of the Nature Area. Birds that have been found at Pintail Pond - Least Bittern (nesting), American Bittern, Ruff, Wood Duck, Green Heron, Blue and Green-winged Teal, Sora and Virginia Rail. Photo #25: Directions to the East Grasslands of Summit Lake State Park - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn right (east) on C.R. 750 N. Drive east 6/10 of a mile and park by the 2 tall cottonwood trees on the right (south). State Park grasslands exist on both side of the road here. On the left (north) is the grassland area where Bobolink, Henslow's Sparrow, Sedge Wren, sometimes Grasshopper Sparrow and Eastern Meadowlark nest. On the right (south) is a grassland area which contains scattered trees and open brush areas. 15 Short-eared Owls wintered in the south grasslands here. Photo #26: Directions to the private property grasslands - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive east 7/10 of a mile to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn right (east) on C.R. 750 N. Drive east 9/10 of a mile to the stop sign and Buck Creek Pike. Park to the right, just beyond the stop sign. The private grassland is on the right (south) side of the road. Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Henslow's Sparrow and Field Sparrow have nested here in the past. Photo #27: Directions to Dead Tree Cove (my label) - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn left (west) on C.R. 750 N. Drive west 3/10 of a mile and park to the right. Dead Tree Cove is on the left (south) side of the road. A shallow marsh is on the right (north) side of the road. When water levels are low, mud flats can be extensive here. An excellent location for shorebirds and dabbling ducks. The dead trees in this cove are used as a roost or staging area during migration. I have found Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Osprey and Brewer's Blackbird perched in the dead trees of this cove. Photo #28: Directions to the North Lake Overlook on C.R. 750 N. - From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn left (west) on C.R. 750 N. Drive west 8/10 of a mile to the 3-way stop/T-section. From this T-section travelling west, C.R. 750 N. becomes Rodgersville Road. From this T-section, drive west on Rodgersville Road for 9/10 of a mile. Park in the gravel on the left (south) side of the road. Scan Summit Lake for waterfowl. Photo #29 thru #36: Directions to Rare Bird Bluff and the Dam - To bird the Bluff and Dam, one must first obtain permission from the Summit Lake State Park Headquarters. The Headquarters is just before the entrance gate to the park, on the east side of the road. While birding the Dam, please do not stray from the service road. From the intersection of Messick Road and S.R. 36, turn left (north) on Messick Road. Drive 1 mile north and turn right (east) on C.R. 600 N. Drive 7/10 of a mile east to the 4-way stop. Turn left (north) on C.R. 500 E. Drive 1.5 miles north and turn left (west) on C.R. 750 N. Drive west 8/10 of a mile to the 3-way stop/T-section. From this T-section travelling west, C.R. 750 N. becomes Rodgersville Road. The road leading north is Messick Road, on the north side of Summit Lake. From this T-section, drive west 1.1 miles on Rodgersville Road. Turn left (south) at the D.N.R. access road bordering the east side of the woods. Park to the right of the "Authorized Vehicles Only" sign. Do not block access to this road. Be sure you park far enough to the right that a D.N.R. truck can pass through. Walk south on this grassy service road to the bluff overlooking Summit Lake. Scan the islands and the lake for waterfowl, seabirds and shorebirds. To bird the Dam, simply follow the service road from Rare Bird Bluff as it leads southwest onto the Dam. From Rare Bird Bluff, I discovered 15 Whimbrels bathing and resting on the Rare Bird Islands on May 26, 2000. Photo #37: Directions to the grasslands of Ziegler Woods Nature Preserve - From the yellow flashing traffic signal at the Summit Mart Pizza King in Mount Summit, drive east on S.R. 36 for 2.4 miles. Turn left (north) on Muncie Pike (the junction for S.R. 103 is also here). Drive 7/10 of a mile north. Pull to the right and park in the grass. Make sure your vehicle is completely off the road. Henslow's Sparrow, Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark are annual nesters here. Alternate directions to the Dam and Rare Bird Bluff: Because there is limited parking on the north side of the lake, park managers may ask you to park on the south side of Summit Lake. To reach this area: From the Summit Lake State Park Headquarters road, turn left (south) on Messick Road. Drive south 7/10 of a mile and turn right (west) on C.R. 550 N. Drive 1.3 miles west to the stop sign/T-section. Turn right (north) on C.R. 300 E. Drive 3/10 of a mile north to the aluminum gates with a white and black "Closed" sign. Park to the right of the sign. Walk north to the service road on the Dam. Summit Lake - Sightings History (Microsoft Word) Summit Lake-Sightings History (Adobe Acrobat-PDF) This download is a history of my sightings at Summit Lake State Park. It will always be a work in progress and will be updated frequently. Most of the sightings are mine, but I plan to seek out sightings from other Summit Lake birders in the future. The document will become too large to list as web pages in html. The history comes in two parts: 1. uncommon or rare sightings 2. High counts of individual species.
Sunset at Summit Lake 10-5-03
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