Hawthorn Mine
Dugger, IN
These reclaimed mines have turned into some of the best grassland habitat in Indiana. It is the largest grassland in the area and contains many deep lakes that stay open throughout most of the year.
Specialty Species:
Waterfowl: Stop at every lake and scan for many species of dabbling and diving ducks, geese, and swans.
Hawks: Drive through the property scanning for hawks. Check all utility poles for Merlin.
Owls: Drive through the property at dawn or dusk during the winter and you should see numerous Short-eared Owls.
Northern Shrike: In the winter, look for this species especially in the southern portions of the mines.
Bell’s Vireo: Look and listen for this species throughout the property during the summer months.
Henslow’s Sparrow: Look and listen for this species throughout the property during the summer months.
Blackbirds: During the fall and winter, large flocks fly through the area at dawn and dusk. The flocks usually contain Rusty and, if you are lucky, Brewer’s Blackbirds among the many Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and European Starlings.
Prairie Falcon: A Prairie Falcon has been wintering on the property for the past few years. There is no sure way to find this bird but keep a lookout while birding this property in the winter.Where to Bird:
- County Roads
County Roads: Drive the roads looking and listening for birds. The whole area is west of SR-159 which runs through Bucktown. The best way to find birds in this area is to drive the roads throughout the property. Stop and scan from time to time. Always check each of the lakes on the property for waterfowl in the fall and winter and the marshy areas around the lakes for bitterns in the spring and summer. Many of the roads do not have signs. Remember that this is all private property and can only be birded from the roads.
Hours:
None Posted
Fees:
None
Accessiblity:
Accessible to anyone, as this location is birded by car.
Trails:
None
Non-birding Equipment Needed:
- None
Lenght of Visit:
A half day gives you plenty of time to drive all of the gravel roads. For Prairie Falcons, it may take longer.
Map:
- None Available
Website:
- None Available
Directions:
From the North: From I-70, take SR-59 south for 31.5 miles and turn right (west) onto SR-54. After 4.1 miles, turn left (south) onto SR-159/CR800 E. Turn right (west) onto CR600. The mines start shortly after you get on this road.
From the South: From the intersection of SR-67 and SR-59 in Sandborn, take SR-59 north. After 6.5 miles, turn left (west) onto CR200S. After crossing over SR-159, this road becomes CR600. The mine starts shortly after you cross over SR-159.
Address:
None Available
Nearby Birding:
Greene-Sullivan State Forest
Goose Pond FWA
Beehunter Marsh