|
Hemmer’s Woods State Nature
Preserve
Hemmer’s Woods State Nature Preserve, northeast of Buckskin.
Wonderful virgin timber and wildflowers as well as birds. Start at Hwy. 57 at
Buckskin. From the east side of town go to the third road on the left and turn
left. This brings you to the woods on the right where there is an upper woods
and lower woods separated by a small field, but the upper woods is the only one
owned by the state. On the right, you’ll see a small parking lot. The trail
departs from there. (The lower woods remains private property, so please respect
ownership. Since there are such incredible trees here, however, do bird from the
road.)
For another short loop especially good for spring warblers, from
Hemmer’s Woods, return to Buckskin. Cross Hwy. 57, continuing straight west.
This road curves south and comes back on to Hwy. 57 near Pigeon Creek. (See
DeLorme Map 61, A 11.)
Back|Top|Home
New Lake
New Lake, near Oakland City, east of the junction of Hwy. 57 and Hwy. 64.
Scenic, good birds, nice array of wildflowers. Starting at the junction of Hwy.
57 and Hwy. 64, turn east onto Hwy. 64; but instead of following the curve of
Hwy. 64 into Oakland City, go straight east on Co. Rd. 200 S. Pass golf course,
cemetery, Parke Recreation area road. Turn right on the next road to New Lake, a
man-made lake supplying water for Oakland City. There are two roads providing
access to the lake. The first dead-end road to the right takes you all along the
north side of the lake. The second dead-end road to the right takes you into the
south side of the lake and onto a point. Along the main road, there is also
access to the dam on the right. Bring a scope to check out the lake. Access by
boat or canoe as well.
Continuing east on Co. Rd. 200 S, pass the South Fork Watershed Restoration
Project where acid mine water runs through limestone filters to de-acidify it
and then down to a beaver pond. (Close look at a beaver dam here.) Bring a scope
to check out the standing timber in this large body of water. Check the edges
for improving habitat as well. This road continues to wander through mined
areas, but you may want to end here. (See DeLorme Map 55, H 11-12.)
Back|Top|Home
Snakey Point South (also
called Boyd’s Slough) Auto Tour Loop
Snakey Point is part of the
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, north of Oakland City. (See also entry
for Patoka Refuge.) Good birds and wildflowers. Start at the east end of Oakland
City, past sewage plant and road next to sewage plant. Turn left (north) on next
road (Co. Rd. 1275 E). This road winds around and changes numbers. At the Y,
veer left. This brings you to the slough. Park and bird along the road. Bring a
scope. You can also take an easy walk along the woods on the east end (to your
right) up to the north end of Snakey Point, but there is no trail per se. If you
have a canoe or boat, you can also explore by water.
Beyond Snakey Point
South, continue easterly; cross an active mine road (be alert; no trespassing);
turn left (north) on Meridian. (If, at this point, you want to leave, turn right
to go back to Hwy. 64 at which point it is three miles from Oakland City.) Stop
at any point along this drive to bird. Signs will help you know when you’re on
refuge land.
At the double railroad tracks, if you hike west (left) on
the first set, there are many wildflowers. (The first set of tracks is
apparently inactive; however, the second set is in use.)
Drive on to the
only pull-off on the left (sign indicates Bottomland Hardwood Forest Restoration
Area). At the sign, you’ll find a path to a memorial to the McClures, the family
who saved the woods and then donated it to the refuge. No good trail beyond this
point, but the public is permitted to walk through the woods into more
marsh.
Just past this pull off, there is a boat ramp. This is all good
birding by car, by foot, and by boat or canoe.
If you choose to continue,
turn right at the next crossroads and come to Area 1 of Sugar Ridge Fish and
Wildlife Reserve. Check the open fields and mined-area ponds. Continue to Hwy.
61. Turn south (right) to Hwy. 64. After Boyd’s Slough, you are in Pike County.
(See also listing #49 Sugar Ridge in Warrick County.) Reclaimed land is almost
entirely open to the public.
Back|Top|Home
Snakey Point North
Snakey Point North, a part of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge,
north of Oakland City. (See also the entry for Patoka Refuge.) Good birds and
flowers. Start at the junction of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 57. Travel 3.4 miles north on
Hwy. 57 and turn right on Co. Rd. 75 N. Road ends on other side of railroad
tracks. Bird along the road. Park in the pull-off to the right and check out the
lake. Beyond the lake there is slough on both sides but slough on left is
private property. Cross the railroad tracks and park on the north side of Snakey
Point where you can scope south. Check the lotus blossoms! Area good for
Yellow-throated Vireos and Tree Swallows. Orioles and tanagers in the
woods.
Double back 2/10 mile to Co. Rd. 50 N to head into the Patoka River
Bottoms (see next entry).
Back|Top|Home
Patoka River Bottoms
Patoka River Bottoms, part of which is included in the Patoka River
National Wildlife Refuge properties, northwest of Oakland City. When flooded,
the area is excellent for waterfowl, passerines, and raptors. Start at the
junction of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 57. Drive 3.2 miles north on Hwy. 57 and turn left
(west) on Co. Rd. 50 N. This road runs parallel to the river on the south side,
and you can go as far as Co. Rd. 650 E for roadside viewing. Take a scope. Take
side roads off Co. Rd. 50 N to get closer to the river. West of Co. Rd. 1050 E,
you pass part of the old Wabash and Erie Canal. At turn in road, go right and
park at the end of the first field, near an oil tank. You can walk on the road
and/or levee trail to the river. Yellow-crowned Night Herons sometimes found
here. At any road, you can turn left (south) and get back to Hwy. 64.
Back|Top|Home
Patoka River National Wildlife
Refuge and Management Area
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area, Indiana’s
newest National Wildlife Refuge, established September 7, 1994. Still under
acquisition, the refuge is at present made up of numerous parcels of land that
are not contiguous. Stop by the refuge office for a map of the property: 510 ½
West Morton, Box 217, Oakland City, Indiana 47660. Phone: 812-749-3199. Or check
the Web at http://www.fws.gov/r3pao Respect private
property. Property brochures list ducks, geese, Coots, Soras, Common Moorhens,
Common Snipe, Woodcocks, Bobwhite Quail, Turkeys, and Ring-necked Pheasants.
Back|Top|Home
Woodruff Woods
Woodruff Woods, east of Francisco. Very good for warblers in spring and
other passerines. Start at Hwy. 64 on top of the hill east of Francisco. Turn
south (left) on Co. Rd. 750 E. The woods is just past the first crossroads. This
is private property, so bird from the road.
Back|Top|Home
Saunders Woods
Saunders Woods, publicly owned property north of Owensville. Nice
woods, birds, and wildflowers. Start at the junction of Hwy. 64 and Hwy. 65
north of Owensville. Going west, Hwy. 64 divides the woods. Trails not yet
developed, so take side roads through it.
Back|Top|Home
Cinergy (formerly
PSI) Power
Plant
Cinergy (formerly PSI) Power Plant, also known as the Gibson County Power
Plant, west of Princeton, south of Hwy. 64, at the Wabash River. As you approach
the facility on Hwy 64, follow the sign into the area; turn right at the first
guard station and into the picnic area. Park there and walk. Check the open
field to the right and the trail to the water. In addition, note that the roads
around Cinergy property are public roads, so drive the circumference watching
wetland areas for shorebirds, open water for ducks, trees for woodpeckers and
woodland birds, and the sky for eagles and hawks. Past the dam entrance (which
is closed to the public), stop at the boat launching area and parking lot for a
overlook of the lake; continue past ponds and a restored wildflower area
(especially pretty in early July). Least Terns nest on the spit in summer.
See
the Indiana Audubon Society’s On-line Birding Guide for more details about this
hot spot: http://www.indianaaudubon.org/
Back|Top|Home
|
