DIRECTIONS: From Indiana, take US 422 east about 9 miles to PA 259. Turn right (south)onto PA 259 to the Park Office 200 yards beyond the intersection on the right. Although the north shore of the lake offers good birding opportunities, the south shore is more accessible and offers better viewing conditions. Therefore, this route will concentrate on the south shore. Laurel Run Trail, which originates at the park office, can be productive for nesting Blue-headed Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Hooded Warbler. This area is sometimes excellent for flocks of migrant warblers. This loop trail parallels the stream through mixed woodland with dense understory and offers a view of the lower end of the lake. During mid-April this trail is usually not productive as fishermen crowd the shores of the stream. Proceed south on PA 259 for 0.4 mile to the marsh on your right. Pull completely off the road and scope the marsh and surrounding lake. Bitterns and rails have been spotted here. Ducks are often seen swimming among the vegetation in early spring. Farther south on PA 259 pull off into the boat launch area on the right. This is a good vantage point for observing the large rafts of ducks frequently found in March. Look across the bay toward the mouth of Little Yellow Creek. Grebes, teal, Common Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser may often be found here. Continue south on PA 259 for 0.3 mile and turn right into the main recreational area of the park. As you cross Little Yellow Creek, watch for Northern Rough-winged Swallow among the numerous Tree Swallow, as well as Belted Kingfisher. Turn right again into the first parking area. The small marsh before you has yielded Marsh Wren during migration. Scan the mud on the opposite side of the vegetation for shorebirds. Wilson's Snipe are frequently found in the wet, muddy area near the marsh. The entire shoreline to and including the swimming beach should be checked for shorebirds during the appropriate seasons. Check the beach for Horned Lark in winter, American Pipit in spring and fall and bathers in summer. (The recreational part of the park is heavily used during the summer months and is therefore not especially good for birding.) From the beach continue walking west to a lift station with a light green top. Swamp Sparrow abound in the marsh; and migrant Marsh Wren have been recorded here. Proceed around the loop road to the Waterfowl Observatory Trail, which winds its way through mixed second growth forest. Watch the coves for ducks and scope the lake frequently as you proceed to the observatory. Brown Creeper nest here, and migrant passerines abound. The trail is an excellent area to find Winter Wren during migration. The observatory at the end of the trail is a prime location for observing migrant terns as well as the myriad of waterfowl, which in the past have included Long-tailed Duck, all three species of scoters, and all three mergansers. Retrace your steps to your car being sure to check the islands of shrub growth for migrant sparrows. Fox, Lincoln's, White-throated and White-crowned sparrows are frequently spotted here. Check the pines for Red-breasted Nuthatch in winter and Pine Warbler in spring and summer. Continue south on PA 259 for 1.7 miles and turn right onto Campground Road, which leads to a part of the park known as Grandpap's Cove. Eastern Bluebird frequent the area across from the campground. Continue past the campground to the bottom of the hill where the road dead-ends at the lake. Depending upon the number of fishermen, this area may or may not he productive. Scope the lake, checking the two coves as well. Note the trail heading west; this goes to Grandma's Cove and has in the past yielded a variety of migrant warblers. A Connecticut Warbler has occasionally been found skulking in the vegetation both in spring and fall. In addition, this trail affords good views of the lake. Unfortunately this is not a loop trail, and you must retrace your steps. Continue south on PA 259 for 1.3 miles, then turn right (north)onto Hoffman Road. The fields along this road yield Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Eastern Bluebird and Eastern Meadowlark. Northern Harrier and Rough-legged Hawk have been observed here in winter. Wilson's Snipe have often been found in early spring to your right at the first 90 degree bend where the run crosses under the road. Continue to Gramma's Cove (1.9 miles). Park parallel to the road. Do not drive up to the gate, so you do not flush the birds before you have time to observe them. Check this area well for waterfowl and passerines. Continue to the parking lot at the top of the hill. This area is known to local birders as LEO's Landing. (LEO is an acronym for Long-eared Owl.) In 1983 Long-eared Owl used the mature spruce among the pines as a winter roost. Slowly walk down the road checking the pines and shrubs for kinglets and warblers. Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Cedar Waxwing occur here regularly during migration. Scope the water in all directions. Common Loon, Common Goldeneye, and all three mergansers are frequently seen to your left. Check the cattails to your right for herons, grebes, ducks and coots. A hike along the Damsite Trail which begins at the top of the hill at LEO's may also be worthwhile.