Delaware County

Ball State University Properties

Ball State owns several properties that offer a variety of bird habitats: Christy Woods (18 acres on the university campus), Cooper Farm (about 88 acres that is mostly wooded), Ginn Woods (161 acres that boast the second-largest stand of old-growth forest in the state), Miller Wildlife Preserve (an area along the White River that’s also known to long-time Auduboners as “Sixteen Acres”), and Hults Farm (100 acres just outside Albany). Because access to these properties is regulated by Ball State, interested birders should contact John Taylor for more information.

Minnetrista Nature Area

Once an abandoned gravel pit, the Nature Area at Minnetrista now features three representations of Indiana native habitat. Constructed ponds and swales, a woodland area featuring nine varieties of Indiana trees, and a tall grass prairie have encouraged wildlife to frequent the site. The Nature Area is open to the general public free of charge. Call 765-2828-4848 for hours.

Prairie Creek Reservoir

Located five miles southeast of Muncie, Prairie Creek is the largest lake in the county. According to experienced birder Steve Pancol, your best bets for waterfowl are the beach area on the east side of the reservoir (off of County Rd. 532 E), the north shore/campgrounds area, and a sod farm on Windsor Rd. The trailhead is located on County Road 475 East on the West side of Prairie Creek Reservoir.