LINTON– Marsh Madness, a two-day event celebrating birdwatching and supporting wildlife habitat, returns to Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area in Linton on February 14-15, 2025. Now in its 16th year, the event is expected to draw around 1,000 visitors.
Organized by the Friends of Goose Pond, the event highlights the area’s restored wetlands, a prime destination for migratory birds. Goose Pond FWA, a 9,000-acre prairie and marsh habitat, attracts approximately 12,000 wildlife enthusiasts annually and is considered one of the most significant wetland restorations in the Midwest.
The stars of Marsh Madness are the sandhill cranes, large migratory birds with a wingspan of five to seven feet. Goose Pond is a vital rest stop for these cranes during their northward migration, typically beginning early to mid-February. Their distinctive trumpeting calls make it easy to notice their arrival.
Marsh Madness begins with a dinner at the Linton Elks Club on February 14th. Activities at Humphreys Park in Linton the following day include a DNR Birds of Prey presentation, live reptiles from the Hoosier Herpetological Society, a vendor fair, and a nature scavenger hunt.
Visitors can also participate in self-guided or guided bus tours of Goose Pond.
Proceeds from Marsh Madness will support habitat improvements at Goose Pond. For a schedule of events, click here.
