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 Wings Over Muscatatuck
Muscatatuck was the first and is the largest national wildlife refuge in Indiana. As the video at the Visitors Center explained, “The Wildlife Come Here Naturally.” Muscatatuck covers 8,000 acres in Jackson and Jennings Counties. Donna Staley, the Outdoor Recreation Planner, explained that because of the many water bodies in the area it is ideal for migratory birds and waterfowl. The Muscatatuck River region is naturally a wet, swampy area. Early settlers tried to clear the land and drained it to some extent. In 1966 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sold “duck stamps” to fund the purchase of wetlands to set aside for wildlife. Today the Refuge manages 8,000 acres for wildlife, which involves water and wetland maintenance. Since many migratory birds look for large expanses of unfragmented land and waters, they are naturally drawn to Muscatatuck. From their “bird’s eye view”, Muscatatuck must look like the ideal place to nest. And while Muscatatuck is “managed” for wildlife, nature still reigns. Dead trees are left standing to provide food and habitat, but new trees are regularly planted. Muscatatuck is home to around 280 species of birds, some of which are rarely seen elsewhere in Indiana. There is a large population of waterfowl including great blue herons with 50 nests in the rookery. There are also great egrets, green egrets, least bitterns, wood ducks, Canadian geese, and flocks of ringneck ducks.
Song birds such as warblers, king birds, cat birds, Henslow’s sparrows and sedge wrens fill the air. Bald eagles can be seen at Muscatatuck, as well as Peregrine falcons passing through, and several raptors and hawks. Besides birds, other animals make Muscatatuck their home. The Copperbelly Watersnake is common at Muscatatuck, but is so rare nationwide that it may soon be put on the federal threatened species list. The snake is not poisonous and should never be harmed! This snake has suffered, as has most wildlife, from the loss of habitat through deforestation, draining of wetlands and land clearing for development. Other animals that take refuge at Muscatatuck include beavers, muskrats, mink, coyotes, opossum, fox and wild turkeys. Visitors can see wildlife up close from eight hiking trails, or even from the car via a 9-mile driving tour. Every place I explored hummed with life - birds singing and flying about, a graceful egret hunting for fish, and Canadian geese leading their goslings across my path. It is a nature-lover’s paradise.
Donna explains that the focus at Muscatatuck is to educate the public about wildlife and how to help preserve their habitats. They are planning other events such as Take A Kid Fishing Day on June 4th and Log Cabin Days Festival in October. The annual Wings Over Muscatatuck is an opportunity to get out and enjoy nature while learning to protect it. See our "Birds of Southern Indiana" article for some of the birds that can be seen here. WINGS OVER MUSCATATUCK MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL PROGRAMS May 13: May Day Bird Count at Jefferson Proving Ground; Wetland Birds of Muscatatuck; Bird Banding Demonstration; Birdwalk for Beginners with Bill Zimmerman; “Feathercamp” Kids Program; Falcons, River Otters & Bobcats; Wildflower Walk; Birdhouse Building for Adults; Bird/Nature Photography; Copperbelly Watersnakes; Building Backyard Habitats; Trumpeter Swans in Indiana; Dealing with Mammals at Bird Feeders; Birds of Prey (Live Birds); Butterfly Walk; Birds & Plants of Jefferson Proving Grounds; Edible Wild Plants Walk; Birding in Local Natural Areas; Birding with Bill Zimmerman; Wings & Strings Musical Entertainment; Woodcock Watch Program; Owl Calling; Night Hike for Kids. Sunday, May 14: Guided tour to Jefferson Proving Grounds; Wetland Birds of Muscatatuck. For information on the Festival, the Refuge or joining the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society call 812-522-4352. See these web sites for more information on providing backyard habitats, or the Indiana Audubon Society. www.nwf.org/habitats or www.indianaaudubon.org. |
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All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©2000 by Southernin.com. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.
In celebration of National Migratory Bird Week, a two-day festival will be held at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge on May 13th and 14th. An exciting weekend is planned, with activities for the whole family including a May Day Bird Count, a Birdwalk for Beginners, and even a photography contest with $300 worth of prizes. If you can’t make it to the festival, be sure to visit another time. Muscatatuck is open year-round and is a perfect place to watch birds and learn about other wildlife at the refuge.
