We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
5620 E. Virginia St.
Evansville, IN 47715
Phone: (812) 476-2473
Fax: (812) 476-2475
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: Closed
Comments:
We're located between Green River Road and Burkhardt north of the Lloyd Expessway. We invite you to visit our store!
Howell Wetlands Nature Area is one of the most unique birding areas in the Tri-State. Bordered on all sides by urban areas, Howell is made up of 5 very distinct and unique natural habitats. These diverse habitats make for great bird watching. An extensive list of all of the birds encountered at Howell Wetlands can be obtained at the Wild Birds Unlimited store. Find a map and directions to Howell Wetlands here:
A partial list of year round resident birds: Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Wood Ducks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Belted Kingfishers, Pileated Woodpeckers, RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, American Goldfinches, Cedar Waxwings, Song Sparrows.
In the spring and summer look for some unique and colorful migrants that nest in the wetlands such as: Green Herons, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Eastern Phoebe, Great-creasted Flycatchers, most of the wood type thrushes, several vireos, swallows, Chimney Swifts, dozens of wood warblers and several native sparrow species. Also look for the colorful Baltimore and Orchard Orioles.
Warblers that make their home at Howell Wetlands in the summer include: Prothonotary, Black and White, Magnolia, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula and American Redstart.
During the spring and fall migration periods you will find dozens of warbler species such as the Blue-winged, Tennessee, Cape May, Blackburnian, Yellow-throated, Prairie, CERULEAN, Worm-eating, and Ovenbird, as well as many shore birds not usually seen in the tri-state region.
Best viewing areas include the 14 acre prairie area, especially along the margins that connect the prairie with the slough, both bridges that cross the slough, the upland meadow in the back of the property and the margin areas along the residential areas.
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is the largest urban nature preserve in the country that is also a registered national landmark. It is also considered on of the most unique birding areas in the Tri-State. Bordered on all sides by urban areas, Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is on Boeke Ave. between Morgan Ave. and the Lloyd Expressway. Wesselman Woods is made up of several distinct and unique natural habitats. These diverse habitats make for great bird watching. At Wesselman Woods you will find dense, old-growth hardwood forests, prairie, and lowland harwood forests, as well as a small pond and meadow area. An extensive list of all of the birds encountered at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve can be obtained at the Wild Birds Unlimited store. Find a map and directions to Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve here:
A partial list of year round resident birds: Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks, Wood Ducks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Belted Kingfishers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, American Goldfinches, Cedar Waxwings, Song Sparrows.
In the spring and summer look for some unique and colorful migrants that nest in the woods such as: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Eastern Phoebe, most of the wood type thrushes, several vireos, swallows, Chimney Swifts, dozens of wood warblers and several native sparrow species. Also look for the colorful Baltimore and Orchard Orioles.
Warblers that make their home at Wesselman Woods in the summer include: Prothonotary, Black and White, Magnolia, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula and American Redstart.
During the spring and fall migration periods you will find dozens of warbler species such as the Blue-winged, Tennessee, Cape May, Blackburnian, Yellow-throated, Worm-eating, and Ovenbird, as well as many other neo-tropical migrants not usually seen in the tri-state region.
Best viewing areas include the backyard bird feeding stations at the rear of the nature center. Large viewing windows allow you to watch as hundreds of birds come to several feeding stations set up by nature center staff. There is also two wonderful water features that lure in species of birds that do not typically come to bird feeding stations. During the spring and fall migrations you will see many of the colorful wood warblers that make their way through the tri-state. You will also see almost all of the wood type thrushes common to the dense woods of southern Indiana. Look for these wonderful ground feeding birds as you take a stroll along the many paths of Wesselman Woods
Eagle Slough is a new nature area on Waterworks Rd., just east of U.S. Hwy 41. The entrance is across from the north entrance to Ellis Park Raceway. Eagle Slough was established in 2008 and is a lowland river bottom with mature hardwood and Bald Cypress habitat. Currently the area is undeveloped except for an excellent, wide path that travels north and south through the center of the property. The path begins at the entrance off Waterworks Rd. and ends at the largest body of water on the property. The path has been established on an abandoned railroad right-of-way allowing for access even during flooding from the Ohio River. Find a map and directions to Eagle Slough here:
A complete inventory of nesting, as well as migratory, birds is presently being conducted by the Evansville Audubon Society. Thus far there have been 127 species of birds documented on the property. The best time for bird watching at Eagle Slough is in the early spring, during spring migration and nesting. Late spring and summer months can get real buggy due to the standing water. A list of the birds sighted at Eagle Slough over the past 3 years is available at Wild Birds Unlimited.
Due to the remote nature of Eagle Slough, it is advisable not to venture on the property alone.
Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area is located 5 miles north of Evansville at the intersection of Boonville/New Harmony Road and Interstate 164. The area was once strip mined and reclaimed by Amax Coal Company and then deeded to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, who developed it into a multi-purpose public area. Bluegrass is 2,532 acres of lakes, open grassland and new growth woodlands. Find a map and directions to Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area here:
One of the premier species found at Bluegrass during the winter months is the Short-eared Owl. This uncommon raptor utilizes the open ground during the months of November, December, January and early February and then heads back north again to nest. They can be found throughout the area but are most frequently found in the northern part of the park. During the winter there are also large numbers of Northern Harriers and a few Rough-legged Hawks hunting the grasslands for mice and meadow voles. Winter also brings an assortment of waterfowl. Recent sightings on the lakes of Bluegrass have been: Canada Geese, Mallards, Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, Pintails, Ruddy Ducks, Scaup, Blue and Green-winged Teal and an assortment of grebes and mergansers.
During the summer months it is not unusual to find Bald Eagles and Osprey combing the lakes and ponds for fish. Grassland sparrows and other ground nesters are abundant at Bluegrass.
A partial list of the Birds of Bluegrass can be obtained at Wild Birds Unlimited. We can also provide you with a map of the best birding areas in the park.
Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area is a multi-use area and hunters and fishermen are found on the grasslands and waterways throughout the year. Please respect their need for quite.
