ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Smith, Superintendent of Natural Resources and Education for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, for an informative discussion about the dark side of Lepidoptera, specifically moths. They make up 90% of the Order of Lepidoptera, however, they share very little of the excitement or appreciation that surrounds their more popular cousins, the butterflies. Moths are critical to the food webs, extremely diverse, understudied, and many are more striking than the prettiest butterfly. In this program we will discuss moth identification, their importance in the ecosystem, how to attract them, tips on moth photography, and provide connections to resources and projects geared to helping people learn about these fascinating and yet often overlooked insects.
Fall Birding at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge 12985 East US Highway 50, Seymour, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair Jessica Helmbold for a day of celebrating the best of fall. Southern Indiana fall colors, fall waterfowl migration, and lunch after the outing. Duck migration should be well underway and many species are expected to be present in the refuge. Meet at the Muscatatuck Visitors Center. Lunch will be at a local eatery with the location to be determined. There will be no fee for the field trip and it's open to the public. Registration is not required but greatly appreciated. Masks will be required for the majority of the hike. There may be times when we can spread out and get a quick break from the masks.
Celery Bog Nature Area Field Trip (Full)
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesRegistration is full. Join ABAS Field Trip Chair Chuck Anderson for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area. This will be a great opportunity to view waterfowl and year-round resident birds. Target birds are waterfowl, including Northern Pintail, Redhead, and Canvasback ducks, with a possibility of spotting a Long-tailed Duck. Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose also frequent the bog. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. Masks will likely be required for most of the trip. There may be times when we can spread out and take a break from the masks.
Indiana’s Rare Plants
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Roger Hedge for an online program about Indiana’s rare plants. From oak savannas, prairies, dunes, and natural lakes of northern Indiana, to southern Indiana’s forested hills, glades, barrens, and cypress swamps, our state has a rich biodiversity. These and other Indiana natural communities support a spectacular array of plant and animal species, including nearly 450 vascular plants that are considered endangered or threatened in the state. Many of these species occur on dedicated state nature preserves and other public lands. The Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center in tracks and monitors these rare species and high-quality natural communities. Roger Hedge is an ecologist and botanist with the data center. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 100.
Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski
Jasper-Pulaski FWA Headqaurters 5822 Fish & Wildlife Lane, Medaryville, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Field Trip Chair, Chuck Anderson, for a trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). This will be a great opportunity to view thousands of Sandhill Cranes as they congregate in Goose Pasture before returning to the roosting marshes. There’s always a possibility of spotting a Whooping Crane among the Sandhills. We’ll meet at 4:00 pm at the Sandhill Crane Observation Platform parking lot located on County Rd 1650W, 1 mile past the park’s headquarters entrance. Follow the very visible signage. Bring binoculars and spotting scope if you have one. The trip is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required. Masks will likely be required during most of the viewing as this is a very popular location for observing the cranes.
Fall Birding at Goose Pond (Full)
Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, United StatesJoin accomplished birders Whitney and Jonathan Yoerger for a late afternoon field trip to Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in search of waterfowl and raptors. In addition to viewing multiple species of ducks and geese, we should see Northern Harriers hunting low over the fields. Just before dusk, Short-eared Owls will likely appear. The is a limit of 10 participants and registration is required. The majority of the field trip will be by car with multiple stops to get out to view birds. Masks will be required when birding in close proximity to others.
Newfields Bird Hike
Virginia B Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields 1550 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesABAS is excited to partner with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields for bird hikes on this beautiful property along the White River and Central Canal. The first hike will be led by ABAS President Rob Ripma. Meet at Lake Terrace in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres. The hike is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by emailing us at info@amosbutleraudubon.org. Join us as we explore the nesting species of this wonderful property.
Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey through the incredible country of Guatemala. Not only is Guatemala a birder’s paradise with species such as Pink-headed Warbler and Horned Guan, it’s also one of the best countries in Central America to experience the ancient Mayan culture. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua to the ancient Tikal ruins, there are numerous fascinating cultural and historic sites to see. Combine that with a wonderful diversity of birds, and Guatemala is a country that you don’t want to miss! This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
4th Greenfield Birders CBC
Online IN, United StatesThe Greenfield Birders will be holding a Christmas Bird Count on December 19. All participants are encouraged to watch their feeders and bird at their favorite local park. There will not be a formalized meeting before or after the count. To submit your sightings and for more information, please contact Adam Wilson at nikonbirdhunter@gmail.com.
Jamestown CBC
McCloud Park Nature Center 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN, United StatesThis Christmas Bird Count centers around Jamestown, Indiana in Hendricks County. Please contact Roger Hedge at 317-473-3222 (cell) or rhedge@dnr.in.gov in advance to determine how this will work. There will be no group meeting to gather observations and totals. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance.
110th Indianapolis CBC
Fort Harrison State Park 6000 North Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesThe Indianapolis CBC, sponsored by the ABAS, takes place within a 15-mile-diameter circle covering the northeast side of Indianapolis, with the center point being in Fort Harrison State Park. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. Register to participate by calling John Schaust at (317) 208-4021 or emailing schaust@gmail.com.
Johnson County CBC
Johnson County Parks 2949 E. North Street, Nineveh, IN, United StatesThere will be no group meeting to gather observations and totals. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance. Contact Mike Clay at mpclay@comcast.net.
Eagle Creek Valley CBC
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesThe Eagle Creek Valley Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by ABAS, takes place within a 15-mile-diameter circle covering the northwest side of Indianapolis, with the center being in Eagle Creek Park. Please contact Will Schaust at (317) 327-2473, or email him at william.schaust@indy.gov by December 14 to participate. There will be no group meeting to gather observations and totals. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance.
Hamilton Co CBC
Cool Creek Nature Center 2000-1 East 151st St, Carmel, IN, United States +1 moreCelebrate the holidays by helping the National Audubon Society conduct the 120th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join other bird-watchers for a morning of hiking and birding. Registration is required. To register or receive more details, call the Cool Creek Nature Center at 317-774-2500, or you can also register at myhamiltoncountyparks.com. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance.
The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Smith, Superintendent of Natural Resources and Education for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, for an informative discussion about the dark side of Lepidoptera, specifically moths. They make up 90% of the Order of Lepidoptera, however, they share very little of the excitement or appreciation that surrounds their more popular cousins, the butterflies. Moths are critical to the food webs, extremely diverse, understudied, and many are more striking than the prettiest butterfly. In this program we will discuss moth identification, their importance in the ecosystem, how to attract them, tips on moth photography, and provide connections to resources and projects geared to helping people learn about these fascinating and yet often overlooked insects. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Winter Lakefront Field Trip
Washington Park Beach Entrance 114 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birder and field trip leader Scott Enochs as he leads you along the Indiana Lake Michigan lakeshore in search of wintering gulls, waterfowl, and any vagrants that may be in the area. We'll meet at Washington Park Beach in Michigan City (41.7281N 86.9040W) at 8:00 am local time (9:00 am EST). We will spend the morning and early afternoon visiting various sites around the Indiana lakeshore. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Participants can expect to return to the Indianapolis area around 6:00 pm EST. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area. The field trip is free but is limited to 10 participants and registration is required. Priority registration is available to ABAS members through January 10, 2021. After that date, if any open spots remain, non-members may register. To sign up email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com or text Chuck at (317) 767-5438. Masks will be required for the majority of the trip. There may be times when we can spread out and get a break from the masks.
Hoosiers for Whoopers: How You Can Help Whooping Cranes in Indiana
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Taylor Franklin for an update on the Eastern Migratory Population ow Whooping Cranes. Taylor is a Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant with the International Crane Foundation (ICF). Taylor will cover where and when whoopers are in Indiana, how people can help by reporting locations of birds they see, and a protocol for watching them. He'll also cover how to turn in people that are harming them, and other interesting and important information for folks to know about whooper conservation. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan
Zionsville Community High School Football Stadium 1000 Mulberry St, Zionsville, IN, United StatesIf you need an incentive to get outside mid-winter, join ABAS Field Trip chair Chuck Anderson as he leads you to several local parks in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) worldwide event. At each park, we will record the species and number of all birds seen and submit that list to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology via eBird. The parks that we plan to visit are Turkeyfoot Nature Park in Zionsville, Starkey Park in Zionsville, Central Park in Carmel, and Daubenspeck Community Nature Park in Indianapolis. The field trip is free but limited to 10 participants. Registration is required. Priority registration is available to local ABAS members through January 10, 2021.
Dancing With Cranes: Their Story is My Story (Online Event)
Online IN, United StatesA CONVERSATION WITH DR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD, THE FIRST INDIANAPOLIS PRIZE WINNER. Join the Indianapolis Zoo for a special live conversation with the very first Indianapolis Prize Winner Dr. George Archibald. When ornithologist and co-founder of the International Crane Foundation Dr. George Archibald first met a female whooping crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans, his goal was simple: form a bond strong enough that she would lay an egg. His unique approach, which included dancing alongside her, created a remarkable relationship, produced a successful chick, and helped make a future for the species a reality. His journey is found within “Saving Endangered Species,” a new book featuring chapters from each Indianapolis Prize Winner and the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award recipients. Hosted by Indianapolis Zoo Board of Trustees member Christa Adkins, George will share his story during the virtual event and answer participants' questions. Registration is required.
Woodcock Walk – Carmel West Park
Jill Perelman Pavilion at West Park 3000 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, United StatesJoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS Field Trip Chair, for a trip to West Park in Carmel. Listen for the “peenting” sounds of a male woodcock as it attempts to court a female during the mating season. Watch the male perform an aerial display and listen to the sound of its twittering wings as it tries to attract a female. Depending on the rules at the time, masks will likely be required for most of the hike. There may be times we can spread out and take a quick break from the masks. Check the ABAS calendar to be sure the hike isn’t canceled.