Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms

Indiana · Midwest

ModerateView on eBird Directions

Habitat

GrasslandWetland

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms is a productive birding destination in Indiana, with 209 species recorded on eBird. This grassland and wetland habitat attracts Mourning Dove, Killdeer, and Pectoral Sandpiper among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

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Notable Species

Mourning Dove Killdeer Pectoral Sandpiper Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

4/16/2026Wesselman Woods--Nature Preserve Trails1 observed

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

4/16/2026Private 477151 observed

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

4/16/2026Blue Grass FWA1 observed

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

4/14/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit*1 observed

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

4/14/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit*1 observed

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

4/14/2026Adams1 observed

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

4/14/2026Tow Path Rd. (Warrick Co.)1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

4/14/2026Eagle Slough Natural Area (SLT)1 observed

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

4/12/2026Alzey Slough Hwy. 26811 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Killdeer

64/12/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs

14/12/2026

Horned Lark

54/12/2026

Purple Martin

104/12/2026

European Starling

24/12/2026

Song Sparrow

14/12/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

144/12/2026

Great Blue Heron

14/5/2026

Turkey Vulture

34/5/2026

Carolina Chickadee

14/5/2026

Tufted Titmouse

14/5/2026

Carolina Wren

14/5/2026

American Robin

24/5/2026

House Sparrow

14/5/2026

Birding Tips

1
Scan fence posts and utility wires for perching raptors and kingbirds.
2
Walk field edges at dawn when sparrows and grassland species are most vocal.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park

Lake Michigan dunes park with 350+ species across diverse coastal habitats.

Michigan City Harbor & Trail Creek

Indiana's Lake Michigan harbor with exceptional winter gulls, waterbirds, and lakefront migration.

Atterbury FWA

Grassland birding hotspot in Indiana with 245 recorded species.

Indiana Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Indiana →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Where to See Bald Eagles

11 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms for birding?▼

The best months to visit Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms?▼

Notable species at Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms include Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle. The area supports grassland, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms?▼

Birding at Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms?▼

Southern Vanderburgh Bottoms offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.