Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area features a new office and Visitor’s Center with a panoramic observation deck, large windows to view wildlife, interpretive displays and staff. The visitor center will be open from 9-5, and the naturalist will be able to give us the inside scoop on what's good and where.  The visitor center has modern flush toilets available even when the visitor center is closed.  There is a flooded cornfield just north of the Visitor’s Center, which has been attracting large numbers of birds for quite some time. By April 1st there may be good numbers of shorebirds, such as sandpipers, plovers, and numerous other species.  Landscape and macro opportunities will be numerous as well. 

NOTE: this is a large property, over 9,000 acres.  We will be cruising the roads that bisect numerous units, and utilizing gravel parking lots at many units.  We can walk the levees, and some trails/mowed paths as we see fit.  Make sure you wear proper footwear for potentially muddy conditions.

Notify our president, Steve Heater, if you are planning on attending by April 13th.

Itinerary:

4am: Meet at the Urbana Casey's.  They ARE open 24 hours, I've checked. We can pick up drinks and snacks before hitting the road. 

5:30am: Potty or fuel stop at Terre Haute.

7am: Arrive at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Visitor Center.  Address is 13540 W County Rd 400 S, Linton, IN 47441.  The very first thing we need to do is check in at the lean to on the property.  We can explore the trail I've been on, utilize the overlook, and get the group together.

7-9am: explore areas close to the visitor center, before going back to the center to talk to the naturalist there.

Noonish: There is a Wendy's and a Subway in Linton, just a few miles away if we want to go sit and discuss our afternoon plans.

1ish to 6pm: explore some more.  As always, members are welcome to leave early if they want to.

9pm: arrive back in Urbana.