In the spring, visitors often flock to Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky for air shows and fireworks, but there’s a third treat flitting about the skies from March – May. It’s spring migration time in SoIN!
As the weather changes, birds begin their trek back north in the spring or back south in the fall. Those transition seasons are an excellent time to spot a variety of birds that we don’t typically see in Southern Indiana. Rare visitors like American White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks have thrilled local birders in recent years.
Whether you’re a seasoned life-lister hoping for a Big Year, or a casual birdwatcher planning your next day trip, Clark and Floyd counties offer plenty of parks where you just might spot rare, migrating species. Here are a few birding hot spots recommended by locals. Make sure you include them on your next Southern Indiana bird watching trip.
7 Birding Hot Spots in Southern Indiana
1. Deam Lake State Recreation Area – Borden, Indiana
Local birding enthusiast Colleen Becker says Deam Lake State Recreation Area, located within Clark State Forest, is a must-visit. The grounds offer 1,300 acres of forest, making it a great stop for birders who love the thrill of deep-woods birdwatching. Look for Pine Warblers trilling high in the evergreens and Red-breasted Nuthatches skittering on tree trunks searching for their next meal. During winter and migration periods, the lake hosts deep-water ducks, and lucky visitors might even spot uncommon species like Long-tailed Ducks. Deam Lake’s peaceful, forested atmosphere is perfect for those who appreciate both beauty and birdsong.
Purple Martin at Deam Lake State Recreation Area. Photo by Haley Boone
Bird highlights: Pine Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Long-tailed Duck
2. Falls of the Ohio State Park – Clarksville, Indiana
A birding adventure isn’t complete without a stop at Falls of the Ohio State Park, home to more than 270 species of birds. Along the river, you’ll find an ever-changing cast of waterfowl, waders and shorebirds. Keep your binoculars ready—you never know what might appear!
Black-crowned Night Herons frequent the Falls of the Ohio from spring through fall. Photo by Haley Boone
Don’t miss the Woodland Trail, a hotspot for songbirds in winter and migrating warblers during spring and fall. Those with patience and experience might even catch a glimpse of a brightly colored tanager or a wayward Sora, like the one Colleen once spotted mingling near the park’s bird feeders! More on Birding at Falls of the Ohio.
Bird highlights: Waterfowl, Shorebirds, Bald Eagles
3. Charlestown State Park – Charlestown, Indiana
For a combination of riverside views and forest birding, head to Charlestown State Park. Explore the Ohio River Boat Ramp and River Overlooks to watch for waterbirds. Interpretive Naturalist Jeremy Beavin recommends Trails 3 and 4 to spot Warblers and Rose Island for Pileated Woodpeckers. Jeremy says to listen and watch for owls around Trail 2 and the playground area.
Bird highlights: Prairie Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, American Woodcocks, Pileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls
4. Chapel Lake Park – Jeffersonville, Indiana
Chapel Lake Park is a hidden gem offering diverse habitats, including a lake, wetlands, creeks and open grasslands. It’s an excellent year-round spot for songbirds and owls. Local bird enthusiasts Haley Boone and Emma Herald bird together almost every day throughout the area. In April 2024, they captured a once-in-a-lifetime sighting at Chapel Lake Park.
“My most memorable bird, which I believe was the first of its species to ever be reported in Clark County, was actually feasting in the open grass right along the parking lot. After a few lovely hours of photographing the beautiful wildlife the park has to offer, it was time to head home. As I approached the parking lot, a small bird caught my eye. I put my binoculars to my face and made note of the bird’s features. A small sparrow with red, black, and white markings on its face. I consulted my bird guide, but I couldn’t find anything that matched the bird in front of me. After showing the bird to some local birders with more experience than me, we came to an exciting conclusion. The bird in question was a Lark Sparrow, a bird much more common in the western half of the United States! I snapped a handful of photos until the sparrow took flight and disappeared into the wood line near the parking lot. I, nor any of the other local birders, ever found the lark sparrow again, but I will always hold the photos I took that day as a fond reminder of such a wonderful day at Chapel Lake!” ~ Haley Boone, Local Bird Enthusiast
Most often seen in the West and Great Plains, this Lark Sparrow surprised local birders at Chapel Lake Park. Photo by Emma Herald
Chapel Lake’s varied landscapes mean you’re likely to encounter dozens of species in a single visit, making it a perfect stop for photographers and casual birders alike.
Bird highlights: Songbirds, Owls
5. Sam Peden Community Park – New Albany, Indiana
During the colder months, Sam Peden Community Park transforms into a haven for wintering waterfowl. Bring your spotting scope to view rafts of ducks and geese gliding across the lakes. It’s an easy-to-access location that's great for a quick birding fix.
Bird highlights: Winter waterfowl species
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are a common sight during the summertime at Perrin Park. Photo by Haley Boone
6. Perrin Park – Jeffersonville, Indiana
Like Sam Peden Park, Perrin Park is another excellent winter destination for waterfowl watchers. The park’s large pond often attracts interesting duck species, and the convenient walking paths make it easy to bird at your own pace. If you visit during the summer, watch for hummingbirds flitting among the wildflowers.
Bird highlights: Winter waterfowl, Ruby-throated hummingbirds
7. Wathen Park – Jeffersonville, Indiana
For year-round songbird spotting, head to Wathen Park. Its wooded trails are particularly productive during spring and fall migrations, but birders will find plenty of feathered friends to enjoy even in the depths of winter.
Bird highlights: Songbirds throughout the year
Bonus Stop: Loop Island Wetlands – New Albany, Indiana
Local birders know Loop Island Wetlands along the Ohio River Greenway is great for bird and wildlife watching. Once home to the Moser Leather Company, a tannery that employed close to 100 workers at its peak, Loop Island Wetlands offers a trail encircling the 54-acre nature preserve.
Bird highlights: Great Egret, Gray Heron, Waterfowl
View more regional hot spots, in Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky, on the Beckham Bird Club site.
Why Bird in SoIN?
Southern Indiana is an ideal birding destination thanks to its incredible diversity of habitats: rivers, wetlands, forests, and grasslands all within a short drive of each other. Whether you're hoping to add a rare warbler to your life list or simply enjoy a peaceful morning among the trees, Clark and Floyd counties offer rich birding experiences for every level of birder. So, grab your binoculars, your camera, and make SoIN your next birding adventure!
How to Get Started
If you’re new to birding, here are a few tips to help get you started:
- Get a Field Guide – Colleen prefers Sibley guides, but there are also apps from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird and Merlin, to help you identify and track birds directly from your smart phone.
- Invest in binoculars and/or a spotting scope.
- Connect with the local birding club - that would be the Beckham Bird Club in SoIN. The club hosts monthly meetings and weekly field trips to bird at locations throughout Southern Indiana and Louisville.
Ready to spread your wings and explore Southern Indiana? Download our free SoIN Visitor Guide or sign up for our E-mail Newsletter to get the latest attraction updates and local event info sent straight to your inbox.
