In five years, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County has become one of the premier birding sites in the Midwest.

Without the $1.3 million contributed by the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program toward the property's purchase in 2005, such restoration probably wouldn't have been possible.

From Sept. 4-12, Indiana is celebrating the 10th anniversary of SWG by recognizing DNR activities, including land acquisition, in which it's played a key role by providing federal grant funds that benefit fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished.

The 8,064 acres of wetlands, shallow open water, and grasslands has provided habitat for about 260 species of birds, many in unprecedented numbers, including many species that are rare elsewhere. Single-day bird counts have set state records for 11 bird species. Four others have been surpassed only once in Indiana.

Of the 44 shorebirds that occur in Indiana, 32 species have been recorded at Goose Pond.

"These include the federally endangered piping plover, and exceptional numbers of semipalmated plovers, black-necked stilts, greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, and many others," said John Castrale , DNR Nongame Bird Biologist. 

Waterfowl are abundant at Goose Pond, too. Rarities include black-bellied and fulvous whistling ducks, and impressive counts of greater white-fronted geese and northern pintails.

"Many of the ducks that rarely nest in Indiana have been noted breeding at Goose Pond," Castrale said.

Virtually all wading birds that occur in Indiana wade regularly at Goose Pond. The first accepted state-recorded sighting of the roseate spoonbill happened at Goose Pond last year.
Marsh birds are well represented, with many of the species nesting.

Sandhill cranes congregate in large numbers during the winter and spring, and the federally endangered whooping crane regularly is a regular visitor. Another federally endangered bird, the interior least tern, was observed last year.

In addition to the marshes, the extensive grasslands host many upland birds in large numbers.

"Much of this success can be attributed to SWG," Castrale  said. "With their help, we've created a natural treasure for the state to enjoy."

To learn more about other SWG-related projects please see www.wildlife.IN.gov and click on the eagle at the top center labeled State Wildlife Grants.

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