ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
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.
Examining the Ecological Consequences of Climate Change through Phenology
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Cantrell, a Board Member of Indiana Phenology for our March program. Phenology is the study of the timing of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, such as leafing, flowering, and fruiting in plants and migration and reproduction in animals. These changes are driven by climate and other abiotic factors and govern how living organisms interact with each other. In this presentation, we will explore how changes in phenology, such as earlier Spring leafing and flowering or insect emergence driven by warming temperatures, can be indicators of climate change's impact on ecosystems. You will also learn how you as a citizen scientist can help track these changes through phenology observation to build a local dataset useful to scientists, policymakers, land managers, and conservationists to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Woodcock Walk – Daubenspeck Community Nature Park
Daubenspeck Nature Park 8900 Ditch Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Board member Brian Cunningham for an evening walk at Daubenspeck Community Nature Park (DCNP), a great spot to view displaying American Woodcocks. Woodcocks have a very acrobatic mating display that they perform at dusk known as the sky dance. While waiting for woodcocks, we will check the prairie and nearby woods for birds that may be going to roost in the park for the evening. 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.
Woodcock Walk – Strawtown Koteewi Park
Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, United StatesUnusual, weird, romantic, and unique are all words used to describe the American Woodcock. Come experience this rite of spring for yourself as male woodcocks perform their aerial courtship displays for the females in the prairie at dusk! An indoor presentation will take place inside the Taylor Center to start.
An Introduction to Bird and Nature Photography
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Brian Zwiebel of Sabrewing Nature Tours for an informative presentation on beginning and intermediate bird photography. This introductory program is great for beginners and will offer a few nuggets for the intermediate shooter as well. Learn what Brian does, and what you should do too, every time you get your hands on a new digital camera. Discover what a histogram is, how to read it, and how to use it to make better exposures. Speaking of exposures, you will learn which exposure modes Brian uses in various situations and why. Learn to improve your images with better compositions and backgrounds, as well as how to improve your action and behavior images. All of this and much more will be included in the program and each talking point supported by Brian’s award-winning photography. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Smith’s Longspur Field Trip – Lye Creek Prairie Burn – FULL
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin Indiana birder and photographer Shari McCollough on a field trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka “The Burn”, in search of migrating Smith’s Longspurs. The Burn is located in Montgomery County and is the most reliable place for viewing Smith’s Longspurs in Indiana. We may be joined by Clint Murray who owns the property and manages it specifically for the Longspurs and other birds. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Spring Migrant Bird Hike at Sargent Road Nature Park – FULL
Sargent Road Nature Park 8101 Sargent Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin us as Earl Simon leads us through Sargent Road Nature Park (SRNP). Earl is a member of the board of the Mud Creek Conservancy which is instrumental in the development of SRNP. This will be prime time for viewing warblers and other migrants. The terrain is flat with a mowed trail for easy accessibility. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and don't forget your binoculars. There are no restrooms available at the park. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Bird Hike at Marott Park & Nature Preserve
Marott Park & Nature Preserve 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesExperienced birders from ABAS will lead a bird hike sponsored by the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve. Beginning birders welcome. This should be primetime for spring migration. The preserve has dirt trails and there are decent hill climbs so wear appropriate footwear. Don't forget to bring your binoculars. The bird hike is free and no advanced registration is required. We'll meet at the preserve parking lot.
Bird Hike at Marott Park & Nature Preserve
Marott Park & Nature Preserve 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesExperienced birders from ABAS will lead a bird hike sponsored by the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve. Beginning birders welcome. This should be primetime for spring migration. The preserve has dirt trails and there are decent hill climbs so wear appropriate footwear. Don't forget to bring your binoculars. The bird hike is free and no advanced registration is required. We'll meet at the preserve parking lot.
Sodalis Nature Park Spring Hike – FULL
Sodalis Nature Park 7700 S. Co. Rd. 975E, Plainfield, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birder and field trip leader, Scott Enochs, as he leads you on a bird hike at Sodalis Nature Park in search of migrating warblers and other spring arrivals. Sodalis is known as one of the most productive birding hotspots in Hendricks County. 170 species have been recorded there, including 34 warbler species. Registration is required and there is a limit of 12 participants.
Birding Belize: It’s UnBELIEZEable! – SOLD OUT
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesDavid Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours in Bloomington, will give a presentation about birding in Belize, an emerging destination in Central America. David fell in love with Belize on his first visit and has led multiple birding tours to Belize since. The presentation will feature photos from recent tour participants as well as from Belizean photographers. Belize is only the size of Massachusetts but has a bird list of nearly 600 species. David will introduce you to the different regions of the country, some unique birds you can find, and give some examples of the variety of lodging that could fit a tight budget or provide a luxurious experience. This will be an online program using Zoom.
Spring 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 spring. Enjoy southern Indiana blooming, migration, and lunch after the outing. 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 required.
Birds & Brews with Audubon Great Lakes
Metazoa Brewing Company 140 South College Avenue, Indianapolis, INAudubon Great Lakes, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, invited ABAS chapter members to join their Birds & Brew event. Great Lakes Audubon will provide the drinks and a speaker panel of experts who will discuss exciting climate policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels to protect the future for birds, wildlife, and people in Indiana.
Fountain Square Swift Watch
Rooftop Garden at Fountain Square Theatre Building 1111 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair and Indy Park Naturalist Jessica Helmbold for bites, drinks, and Chimney Swifts at Fountain Square Theatre. From the Rooftop Garden Cocktail Lounge, mingle with ABAS members while observing an active swift colony, plus Common Nighthawks. There is a limit of 10 for this event and registration is required.
Garfield Park Swift Watch
Garfield Park Arts Center 2432 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis, United StatesLearn about Chimney Swifts as the sun sets with ABAS Education Chair and Indy Park naturalist Jessica Helmbold. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, and your binoculars to observe an active colony at Garfield Park Arts Center. There is a limit of 15 participants at this Indy Parks event. Registration is required.
Fall Warblers & Migrants – Strawtown Koteewi Park – Canceled
Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, United StatesJoin local birder and ABAS field trip leader, Terry Ballenger, as we look for migrating fall warblers and local resident birds in the 800-acre park. We’ll meet at the Taylor Center of Natural History building parking lot at 8:00 am and bird on foot from there. The terrain is flat and the trails are well defined. The Taylor Center opens at 10:00 am and has modern, well-maintained restrooms, as well as great cultural exhibits. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Bats of Indiana – And Beyond
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Ryan Slack for our September program about bats. He will touch upon everything from myths surrounding bats, their classification and specialized anatomy, their habits, conservation, why bats are important, the threats they face, bat species native to Indiana, the truth about bats and rabies, and the latest in bat call analysis. Ryan holds a BS from Purdue University in Wildlife Science.
Warblers and Migrants – McCloud Nature Park
McCloud Park Nature Center 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN, United StatesJoin ecologist, botanist, and ABAS bird hike leader, Roger Hedge, as we look for migrating fall warblers and year-round residents in this 232-acre park in Hendricks County. We’ll meet at the Nature Center at 8:00 am and bird on foot from there. The trails are well defined and the terrain is flat. The Nature Center opens at 10:00 am and has modern restrooms, as well as a bird feeding viewing area. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required.
Warblers and Migrants – Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park Marina 7602 Walnut Point Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin birders extraordinaire Lisa and Randy Vanderbilt as we look for migrating fall warblers. We’ll meet at 8:00 am in the parking lot at the marina and bird along the road leading to the marina, as well as the open area and trails near the parking lot. Walking distance will be minimal and we’ll be on both paved roads and well-defined, hard-packed dirt trails. There are indoor restrooms at the marina. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Brown Bears of McNeil River
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS President and Field Trip Chair, for an informative program about the Brown Bears of McNeil River State Game Sanctuary in Alaska. Chuck will share his four-day experience watching Brown Bears interact, feed, sleep and play. Many of the bears photographed were within 25 feet and one curious cub came within 5 feet before mom called him back to her side.