PRINT THESE DIRECTIONS.  GO BIRDING !!!

Intro: Warblers and other migrating songbirds can be found throughout the park. However, the detailed and precise directions provided here take you to the most productive and popular sites within the park.

From the Ticket Terminal at the Indianapolis International Airport, drive east out of the terminal, following the I-465/I-70 Exit signs.   Veer right (south) on the "I-465 North/74 Exit only" sign.  Follow I-465 North 10 miles to Exit #21/71st Street Exit.  Veer right (east) on Exit #21/71st Street.   Stay in the left lane to the exit #21 stop light.  Turn left (west) on 71st Street.  Stay in the right lane and drive west on 71st Street for roughly 1 mile.  At the second stop light, turn right (north) on Lafayette Road (just before the I-65 overpass).  Drive north on Lafayette Road and stay in the left lane.  Turn left (west) on Traders Lane Road/C.R. 7700 N. (immediately north of the Farm Bureau Co-Op building-the Pike Township Fire Station 12 is at this turn).  Drive west on Trader's Lane over the I-65 overpass. As Trader's Lane veers left (south), turn right (west) at the elbow in the road (a green street sign reads "Traders Ln - Wilsons Road"). Drive west on Wilson's Road/C.R. 7500 N.  Drive past the first entrance to the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary on the left (south) side of Wilsons Road.  Drive slowly and look for the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary sign on the left (south) side of the road [just before mailbox # 8530, on the right (north)].  Turn left (south) at the sanctuary sign and park in front of the gray iron gate.  Walk south on the grassy/gravel service road.  Beyond the tree lines, you will see meadows on both sides of the road.  Check for grassland species here.  Walk south to the Sanctuary Bridge.  From the bridge, listen for Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Scarlet and Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush. From the Starling Nature Sanctuary Bridge, hike the foot trail leading southwest up the hill.  Near the top of the hill, listen for Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher and Veery.  When you reach the top of the hill, turn around and return to your vehicle.  Note: On the north side of the Sanctuary Bridge is a foot trail leading east, along the north side of the creek. This trail can be productive for migrants.  From the gray gates at the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary sign, return east on Wilson's Road.  At the sharp elbow in Wilson's Road, turn left (north) on Trader's Lane Road.  Follow Trader's Lane Road as it veers right (east) over the I-65 overpass.  At the stop sign/T-section, turn right (south) on Lafayette Road.  Drive south to the first stop light. Turn right (west) on 71st Street.  Drive west under the I-65 overpass and to the park entrance.  From the park entrance, drive south on Eagle Creek Parkway for roughly 1/4 mile to 65th Street.  Turn right (west) on 65th Street.  At the T-section, turn left (south) at the Nature Center, Cars and Buses arrow signs.  Park in one of the gravel spaces opposite the Nature Center (east side of the road).  From the left (south) side of the Nature Center building, follow the trail leading south from the Nature Center.  You will be hiking south along a ridge overlooking the Bird Sanctuary Lake.  Follow this trail all the way to the South Overlook. From the observation platform at the South Overlook, scan the lake for seabirds and waterfowl.  When finished, hike straight (east) from this observation platform. The trail will gradually veer left (northeast).  At the next trail head, veer left (north). Follow this trail as it slopes downward into what Eagle Creekers call, "Warbler Alley".  Dense thickets and viney material provide a safe haven for migrants.  Walk north through Warbler Alley till you reach the next T-section (a chain-linked fence will be in front of you).  At this T-section, turn right (east).  Hike a short distance to the next T-section. Turn right (south) at this T-section.  The dense thickets on both sides of the trail are good for skulking warblers.  Follow this trail south to the next trailhead.  Turn left (east) and follow this trail to the paved road (Eagle Creek Parkway).  Turn left (north) on Eagle Creek Parkway.  Hike north for 20 yards and veer right (east), toward Lilly Lake.  Walk northeast through the grass to the trail on the west side of the lake.  A "No Bikes on Trail" sign is at the start of this trail.  Hike northeast along the west side of Lilly Lake.  At the north end of Lilly Lake, turn right (east) at the first trail head/T-section.  Walk east across the treated wood foot bridge.  Immediately after the bridge, turn left (north).  Follow the tiny creek, as you hike north through this valley.  Listen for Winter Wren and Northern Waterthrush along the creek.  The woodland edge here is usually good for warblers. Continue birding north to the next trailhead/T-section.  From this T-section, you will see a small pond in front of you (north).  Turn left (west) and cross over the covered foot bridge. Scan the trees here for migrants. Turn right (north) and follow the ponds edge northeast.  Continue hiking northeast to the intersection of 65th Street and Lilly Lake Drive.  Scan the trees at this intersection for migrants.  When finished, hike west on 65th Street back to the Nature Center.  From the observation platform at the Nature Center, scan the Bird Sanctuary Lake for waterfowl and seabirds.  

                                                    END OF TOUR