Two Putnam County sites added to Indiana Birding Trail

With plenty of outdoor recreation already on offer in the community, bird lovers now have two new reasons to put themselves in Putnam County.

Two Putnam County sites — DePauw Nature Park and Lieber State Recreation Area — have been added to the dozens of stops on the Indiana Birding Trail as part of its 2026 update.

Indiana Audubon announced Thursday, Jan. 15 that the Nature Park and Lieber have been added for 2026, as has Oxbow Nature Conservancy in Dearborn County, bringing the statewide network to 70 sites recognized for high-quality habitat and bird diversity.

The Indiana Birding Trail is a curated collection of premier birding locations designed to connect people with birds while supporting conservation, outdoor recreation, and nature-based tourism. Managed by Indiana Audubon, the trail highlights sites selected through a review process that considers factors such as bird species diversity, length of the birding season, accessibility, amenities, and the overall quality of the visitor experience.

“These sites rose to the top because they represent distinct and important bird habitats and reliably produce a wide variety of species across seasons,” said Brad Bumgardner, executive director of Indiana Audubon. “They reflect the kind of birding experiences the trail is meant to offer.”

DePauw Nature Park offers extensive forest birding alongside open fields and stream corridors that support both breeding birds and migrants. Managed by DePauw University, this 520-acre Park is in and around a retired limestone quarry, with perfectly maintained trails, outstanding views and wildlife teeming along Little Walnut Creek. In addition to bird-watching, the DePauw Nature Park’s nine-mile moderately trafficked loop trail features a lake and other wildlife. The trails are rated as moderate, offer a number of activity options, and are accessible year-round. Dogs are welcomed, but must be kept on leash.

Lieber State Recreation Area provides open water and surrounding woodland habitat that regularly attract waterfowl, raptors, and seasonal migrants. Part of the 8,000-acre Lieber State Recreation Area managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Cagles Mill Lake attracts eagle watchers from around the country. Mill Creek feeds the 1,400-acre lake, and the beautiful Cataract Falls, both inside Lieber State Recreation Area. A main attraction on this lake in southern Putnam County is a bald eagle’s nest to which the birds return every season. The lake has a marina, with mooring and supplies, as well as a visitors center. Around it, there is plentiful hiking, picnicking and fishing, as well as hunting in season.

Oxbow Nature Conservancy protects a floodplain landscape where the Great Miami River flows into the Ohio River, supporting grassland birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and migratory species. The site is managed by Oxbow Inc.

The new sites are featured in the 2026-27 Indiana Birding Trail guidebook, which includes all 70 trail locations and updated site-specific details. The printed guidebook is available for purchase for $18 per copy through Indiana Audubon’s online store at bit.ly/INBirdingTrailGuide.

Indiana Audubon is also launching the 2026 Indiana Birding Trail Checklist Challenge, a free, yearlong activity open to anyone who wants to take part. Participants are invited to visit the Indiana Birding Trail sites, earn leaderboard points, collect badge stickers, and compete for prizes throughout the year. The challenge includes four seasonal prize drawings and three year-end prize drawings. A printed checklist is included with the purchase of the guidebook, and full details are available at indianaaudubon.org/indiana-birding-trail-challenge.

Available for free, the 2026 Indiana Birding Trail Checklist Challenge will soon be available at the Putnam County Visitors Center, 12 W. Washington St., Greencastle. While at the Visitors Center, nature lovers are also encouraged to pick up a Putnam County Visitors Guide; a Putnam Pursuit brochure featuring stops for nature conservancies, murals, and covered bridges in Putnam County; as well as dozens of other local and regional travel assets.

Visitors are also encouraged to chat with Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau staff about opportunities for travel and outdoor recreation in the county.

More information about the Indiana Birding Trail can be found at indianabirdingtrail.com.