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To enlarge the photo, left click on the image with your mouse.
Photos 40 thru 43 - Be very quiet and approach this marsh
slowly to avoid flushing waterfowl, waders and shorebirds. When water levels
are low, shorebirds can be found here in April, May, late July, August and
September. A good marsh for Teal and other dabbling ducks, remember that
hunting is allowed here. If cars are already parked here, you may want to move
on to the next site. Immature Little Blue Herons have been flushed here in
past fall migrations (July, August). Directions - From the intersection of
S.R. 124 and S.R. 105, drive north on S.R. 105 for roughly 3 miles. Just past
the aluminum guard rails, turn left (west) on the gravel road just north of
the "Wildlife Management Unit 28" sign. Follow this gravel road west to the
dead end. Park in the grass lot. Walk west up to the levee of Snipe marsh.
Photos 44 thru 52 - Switchgrass Ponds is a grassland area
planted in tall prairie grasses (switchgrasses). There are 5 to 6 ponds /
marshes, some of which are hidden by weeds and tall prairie grasses. Stands of
pines line the border of this wildlife viewing area, which borders the
southern edge of the Apple Orchard Primitive Campground. There are 2 ways one
can access Switchgrass Ponds. The Marsh Trail parking lot is roughly 1/10 of a
mile east of the Apple Orchard Primitive Campground entrance. A small parking
lot is available here. The Marsh trail is a wide mowed path which encircles
the Wildlife Viewing Area. The second access site is inside the Apple Orchard
Primitive Campground. Shorebirds can be found here when water levels are low.
Waders can also be found here. Sparrows can be abundant in May, late September
and October. You will have to leave the mowed trails and fight through the
weeds to view many of the ponds here. Hip boots are recommended. Birding
will be better here in the off season. This site receives heavy recreational
traffic in the months of June, July and August. Directions - From the
intersection of S.R. 124 and S.R. 105, Drive north on S.R. 105 for roughly 1.5
to 2 miles. Turn left (west) on C.R. 400 S. (Lost Bridge East and West
signs are on both sides of the road, at this intersection). Drive west
roughly 2/10 of a mile to the stop sign. Turn right (north) on New
Holland Road. After driving past the entrance gate, go roughly 2/10 of a
mile. Turn left at the first road on the left (west) side of the road (a
"Wildlife Viewing Area" sign is on the left here). Turn left at
the next road on the left (south) side of the road. You are
turning into the Apple Orchard Primitive Campground. Turn right (west)
and follow the road as it circles around the campground. When you
see the playground and restrooms on the left, turn right (south), and park in
the Wildlife Viewing Area Parking Lot.
Photos 53 thru 57 - The newly built Salamonie Interpretive
Center (Nature Center) serves the upper Wabash region. It covers Salamonie,
Mississinewa and J. Edward Roush Reservoirs. The Interpretive Center is home
to the Upper Wabash Reservoir Birding Club, which covers Miami, Wabash,
Huntington, Wells and Grant Counties. To join the birding club, visit their
website at
http://www.in.gov/dnr/uwis
Directions to the Salamonie Interpretive Center - From the intersection of S.R. 124 and S.R. 105, drive north on S.R. 105 for roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. Turn left (west) on C.R. 400 S. (Lost Bridge East and West signs are on both sides of the road at this intersection). Drive west roughly 1/4 mile to the stop sign. Turn right (north) on New Holland Road. After driving past the entrance gate, go roughly 1/4 mile. Turn right at the brown and yellow "Interpretive Center" arrow sign. Follow this road east to the Interpretive Center Parking Lot.
Photos 58 thru 62 - Lost Bridge East gives you spectacular
views of the east end of Salamonie Lake. Search the trees along the shoreline
for eagles, ospreys and other raptors. Gulls and other seabirds might be found
here before the reservoir is drawn down for winter pool. Search the trees
around the picnic shelter for migrating warblers. Wildlife Management Unit S-5
is at the bend in C.R. 400 S., just before you get to the Lost Bridge East
Boat Launch Parking Lot. Directions to Lost Bridge East -
From the intersection of S.R. 124 and S.R. 105, drive north on S.R. 105 for
roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. Turn right (east) on C.R. 400 S.
Drive east for roughly 1.5 miles. C.R. 400 S. will elbow left
(north) and dead end at the Lost Bridge East Boat Launch Parking Lot.
Photos 63 thru 65 - Visit this marsh for dabbling ducks in
late March, April, September, October and November. For waders and shorebirds:
April, May, late July, August, September and October. Wood Ducks and Green
Herons can usually be found here during the summer months.
Directions to Majenica Marsh - From the intersection of S.R. 124 and S.R. 105,
turn right (east) on S.R. 124. Drive east roughly 2 miles to the
flashing red signal (north / south traffic does not stop here).
Turn left (north) on S.R. 9. Drive north on S.R. 9 for roughly 2
miles. Turn left (west) on C.R. 400 S. The
Majenica Marsh Parking Lot is at the intersection of S.R. 9 and C.R. 400 S.
Turn right (north) at the brown "Majenica Marsh" sign. The marsh can be
viewed, at a distance, from the parking lot. One can also walk north down to
the edge of the marsh, for closer viewing. Take care not to flush the
birds. While shorebirds may not flush, waders might.
An introduction to Salamonie Lake and more site photos can
be found on the Wabash County web page. From my home page: click on
East-Central, then click on Wabash County.
On the Birding Tour web page, you will find 2 downloadable tours which pertain to Salamonie. The Salamonie Big Day Tour provides directions to the most frequently birded sites at Salamonie. It is a one day loop through the area. The East-Central Birding Tour provides directions to key sites at Salamonie, Mississinewa and J. Edward Roush Reservoirs (Huntington Reservoir). It is geared toward waterfowl migration.
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