Lye Creek Prairie Burn Spring Birding Trip

Lye Creek Prairie Burn is an 80 acre wetland and prairie complex in north central Montgomery County. Over the past several years, Friends of Lye Creek Prairie Burn have transformed the site through prescribed fire, invasive species removal, wetland restoration, and ongoing habitat management. The result is a dynamic mosaic of shallow water, prairie grasses, and open fields that consistently attracts a strong mix of early spring migrants and resident grassland birds.

Early April can be excellent for shorebirds and open country species, especially depending on water levels. Expected birds may include American Golden Plover, Wilson’s Snipe, Rusty Blackbird, Ring necked Pheasant, Northern Bobwhite, Smith’s Longspur in good years, and a variety of waterfowl, sparrows, and other migrants. Every visit is a little different, which is part of the fun.

The trip will be led by Shari McCollough, who manages the site and has been instrumental in its restoration and monitoring. She will share both birding highlights and insight into how management actions like prescribed fire and wetland work shape what we see on the landscape.

Logistics

The field trip will begin at the Burn on Saturday, April 4. Registered participants will meet at 9:00 AM ET and bird the site for a couple of hours at a slow to moderate pace, covering up to one mile, ending around lunchtime. Expect uneven ground and potentially wet conditions. Waterproof footwear is recommended.

For a full list of species seen at The Burn, visit the eBird hotspot.

Registration is required and space is limited to keep the group small and engaging. Registration is $10 for IAS members, and $15 for non-members.

There may be up to one mile of walking, at a slow to moderate pace, on potentially wet soil and through cornfields. Expect uneven ground and potentially wet conditions. Waterproof footwear is recommended. The parking lot is loose stone and gravel.

There are no restrooms on-site. The nearest public restrooms are in Linden and Crawfordsville, approximately 10 minutes away.

Parking is available in a gravel lot on the south side of the road. The exact coordinates of the Burn are 40.13495° N, 86.86362° W.

For any inquiries about this trip, email us at [email protected].

All photos by Shari McCollough.

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