Birding Hendricks County – Change and Opportunities
By Jeff Packer
Directly west of Marion County lies Hendricks County, a county changing rapidly with the growth in industry and population. This presents both changes and opportunities in birding for the county. In the eastern portion of the county, near Marion County, farmland, hay fields, and grassland are being developed into distribution centers, residential subdivisions, and shopping centers. This a constantly changing landscape and what is there today may not be there tomorrow. Though where there are changes, there are opportunities. New retention ponds are creating habitats for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Industrial sites where the ground is being disturbed may create some temporary mudflat habitat for shorebirds. I believe the most important part of birding in Hendricks County is always checking out new areas. One should always be aware of changes and explore the county.
In 2020, I moved to Stout Heritage Parkway in Plainfield. The marshland directly across the street is the primary reason I chose that location. During the two years I’ve lived there, I’ve loved exploring the area, and documenting numerous birds. These include a Baird’s Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstones, Long-billed Dowitchers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Wilson’s Snipes, Soras, American Woodcocks, Blue Grosbeaks, Dickcissels, Bell’s Vireos, and many more. All this was a simple walk across the street. During my two years, I’ve noticed changes in the habitat. With construction, the mudflats have disappeared and been replaced by tall grasses. It’s not a bad thing at all as this new habitat may be suitable for other species.
Hendricks is a county with a great, diverse opportunity for birding. Lacking a large reservoir or consistent shorebird habitat, the challenge of finding notable birds is even more fun and rewarding. Here are some brief highlights of where, when, and how to look for certain types of birds in the county.
Winter
From January until March there are several birding focal points. One is waterfowl. Though there is no large reservoir in Hendricks County, there are many ponds and lakes that attract migrating and wintering geese and ducks.
The Plainfield Waste Water Treatment Plant, on Center Drive in Plainfield, provides warm water that is attractive to a variety of wintering ducks. Numerous Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, and Ring-necked Ducks spend much of their winter there. In addition, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeons, Redhead, and Canvasbacks have all been spotted there. They all can be seen from the sidewalk along Center Drive.
The Hopkins Gravel Pit is on CR 800 S (Lake Meski Rd) south of Plainfield. Numerous waterfowl have been found in winter and migration, including Common Mergansers and large flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese. Various lakes in the area can be viewed with a scope from the side of the road.
In Brownsburg on Ronald Reagan Parkway at CR 400N, there is a large pond that has hosted county-high numbers of Redhead, Lesser Scaup, and Canvasback. These can be viewed from a walking path along Ronald Reagan Parkway.
Behind St. Malachy Catholic Church near Brownsburg, is a great spot to find Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and if we are lucky, Snow Buntings. Look on the county roads after snowstorms for these species. Keep an eye out for Northern Harriers in the area.
Check flocks of foraging Canada Geese in cornfields and in residential areas or areas under development. Ross’s Geese have popped up in numerous areas. Sandhill Cranes have been known to drop in cornfields as well.
Spring
In March check out Stout Heritage Wetland in Plainfield for an amazing American Woodcock Display at dusk. If there are mudflats available at this hotspot, it can be good shorebird habitat. Notable sightings include Wilson’s Phalaropes, Semipalmated Plovers, and Blue-winged Teal, in addition to the birds mentioned earlier. This can be great sparrow habitat as well. Savannah Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, and Lincoln’s Sparrows are all regulars in the area during migration. I believe there is potential for other sparrows as well. Check flooded farm fields for shorebirds and dabbling ducks.
As the focus transitions from waterfowl and shorebirds to passerines, reaching a peak in May, we look to the many parks in Hendricks County. Sodalis Nature Park is the crown jewel of the County. Nature trails take visitors through various wooded habitat that hosts many species of migrating and nesting warblers, vireos, flycatchers, sparrows, tanagers, and thrushes. Noted nesters include Prairie Warblers, Hooded Warblers, and Kentucky Warblers. This park has even been the site of a successful Mississippi Kite nesting in 2017. Trails may be muddy in spring, so be prepared.
Other parks worth checking out include McCloud Nature Park, W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, Arbuckle Acres Park, Hummel Park, Williams Park, Avon Town Hall Park, and Avon-Washington Township Community Park. Also check the various trails the county has to offer, including Twin Bridges Hiking Trail and various trails along White Lick Creek. Check eBird for further details. There are many opportunities in these parks to find great birds in under-birded areas.
Summer
It’s time to check on breeding birds. There are hay fields near McCloud Nature Park that host Bobolinks. Listen for Henslow’s Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, and any other grassland bird native to the state. Walk the parks, with sunscreen and mosquito repellant, to find nesting birds and juveniles. Sit at the pond at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park and watch Purple Martins and other swallows perform their acrobatics over the water. Check the vulture roost at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville for Black Vultures.
Autumn
Migration kicks in again. Where to go? Try exploring new sites. You never know where something will pop up. Birding is a treasure hunt, and Hendricks County certainly has a lot of treasure that has yet to be discovered. Although Hendricks County is literally on the other side of Raceway Road from Eagle Creek Park, it is not nearly as heavily birded and has many opportunities and great potential. There are several amazing birders who are birding the county regularly. I have learned a great deal from them. I am very much looking forward to birding the county more, sharing my bird sightings, and hearing about other birders’ sightings!
Photo’s courtesy of Jeff Packer.
Sedge Wren – Top photo
Little Blue Heron – Bottom photo
