Indiana Winter Birding; 2021 Field Trips Review; County Birding – Hancock County; January Program: Exploring Costa Rica; February Program: For the Love of Birds: How Birds Played into the History of Valentine’s Day; Lakefront Field Trip; Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan; Local Bird Hikes
The Indiana DNR has received reports of sick and dying songbirds from 15 counties statewide. As the investigation continues, the DNR recommends all Hoosiers remove their birdfeeders statewide. DNR is working with the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (IN ADDL) and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to determine the birds’ cause of death. Go to the full post to see the entire press release from the DNR.
The Harmful Effects of Mosquito Fogging; Help Track the Effects of Climate Change — and Help the Birds You Love; Birdathon 2021; May Program: Birding Belize: It’s UnBELIEZEable!; Sodalis Nature Park Spring Hike; Bird Hike at Marott Park & Nature Preserve; Spring Birding at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge; Newfields Bird Hike; More Local Hikes; Field Trip Recap
A Plea to Change Traditions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Early Spring Migration in Central Indiana; Behind The Lens –Adam Wilson; How Birdability Came to Be; March Program: Ecological Consequences of Climate Change through Phenology; April Program: An Introduction to Bird and Nature Photography (SOLD OUT); Woodcock Walks; Smith’s Longspur Field Trip – Lye Creek Prairie Burn; Spring Migrant Hike at Sargent Road Nature Park; Local Hikes; Field Trip Recaps
Anna’s Hummingbird in Indiana; The Making of Garfield Park; Peregrine Falcons of Anderson, Indiana; January Program: The Dark Side of Lepidoptera; February Program: Hoosiers for Whoopers: How You Can Help Whooping Cranes in Indiana; Winter Lakefront Field Trip; Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan; Local Hikes; Field Trip Recaps
On December 5, an intrepid group of 15 birders was out on a frosty morning. Newfields strives to maintain that habitat diversity by invasive species removal and planting of Indiana native plant species in all areas of the Park. On this Saturday, the group had an immature Bald Eagle fly over and Pine Siskins among the 31 species they saw. Another highlight was a white-tailed deer and a nice buck at that. ABAS holds these hikes quarterly in conjunction with Newfields.
On November 22, 13 enthusiastic birders met at the Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area Visitor Center for an afternoon of birding. Though the skies were gray and there was a chill in the air, spirits were lifted as 2 Whooping Cranes were in sight before the field trip was even underway. As we caravanned around the property, we saw 4 Trumpeter Swans, multiple Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, and numerous Canvasbacks to name a few of the 39 species of birds we recorded that day. The highlight for the outing occurred just before dusk when we observed 8 Short-eared Owls flying over the fields in search of prey. Special thanks to Whitney and Jonathan Yoerger who did a fantastic job in leading this field trip.
On Saturday, November 14, 6 birders participated in the ABAS field trip to Jasper-Pulaski FWA to view Sandhill Cranes. Jasper Pulaski hosts the largest concentration east of the Mississippi River. The temperature was cool and the skies were overcast but the rain held off. We heard the loud, trumpeting sound of thousands of cranes as they flew into the field to socialize before roosting for the night. Also in view were several Wild Turkeys and at least two dozen White-tailed Deer. The highlight for the outing came when a hunter in the far woods shot his gun and all the cranes took to the air in mass hysteria. They settled back down in the field after several minutes. As sunset came the group called it an end to an enjoyable afternoon afield.
Monthly Programs are back and online; Winter Finch Forecast – What Does it Mean for Indiana?; Working to Preserve Habitat in NE Indy; Behind the Lens: Mark Welter; November Program: Indiana’s Rare Plants (register online); December Program: Guatemala – A Birder's Paradise (register online); Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Field Trip (registration required); Fall Birding At Goose Pond (full); Field Trip Recaps; Local Hikes and more
This is What a Birder Looks Like; Behind the Lens: Dan Miller; An Unexpectedly Successful Birdathon; Monthly Programs Canceled for Now; Strawtown Koteewi Warbler Field Trip; Conner Prairie Field Trip; Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip; Celery Bog Nature Area Field Trip; Local Bird Hikes; MASKS ON HIKES - It is anticipated that masks will be required for the majority of each field trip and local hike.