ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
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.
Lye Creek Burn – Fall Sparrows – FULL
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin experienced bird hike leader Laurie Voss on a field trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka “The Burn”, in search of fall sparrows, migrant waterfowl, and possible shorebirds. We’ll meet at The Burn at 9:00 am. Participants should expect to hike two to three miles. The terrain is flat, but there are no defined trails. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes. As always, don’t forget your binoculars. There are NO restroom facilities on the property. There is no fee for the field trip. However, the field trip is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Waterfowl at Celery Bog – FULL
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and 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. Swans, Greater White-fronted Goose, and various species of grebe also frequent Celery Bog. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Bobcats in Indiana
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Geriann Albers as she tells us the story of Bobcats in Indiana. Geriann is a Furbearer Biologist for the Indiana DNR. She received her Bachelors in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Masters in Wildlife Management from West Virginia University in 2012. She starting with the Indiana DNR in May 2017.
Beers with Birders
Ash & Elm Cider Co. 1301 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS for an evening at the Ash & Elm Cider Co. at their new location, 1301 East Washington Street in Indianapolis. We will meet to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided by ABAS.
Waterfowl, Raptors, & Owls at Goose Pond – FULL
Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, United StatesJoin accomplished birders Bill Sharkey and Richard Garrett as they lead us on a 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. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Adventures in Bird Training
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Jenna McElroy, Assistant Park Manager, and Rachael Ledbetter, Naturalist, to learn how the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center’s Raptor Ambassadors are trained for educational programs. Jenna and Rachael will share their training successes and challenges through video clips and with some help from a few of their feathered coworkers.
Gulls & Waterfowl at the Lakefront
Washington Park Beach Entrance 114 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birders Eric and Tina Rosier as they lead 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 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. Most of the time will be spent traveling to as many sites as possible to scan the lake. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area. The field trip is free but is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Exploring Costa Rica
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Past President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner Rob Ripma as he takes us on an exciting journey through the beautiful nation of Costa Rica.
For the Love of Birds: How Birds Played into the History of Valentine’s Day – CANCELED
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesThis event is CANCELED. Join Jessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, for her presentation on birds and Valentine's Day. Who created Valentine’s Day and when and why did they choose to incorporate birds? Learn about the history of this popular holiday and the role birds played in making it what it is today.
Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan – FULL
Flowing Well Park 5100 E 116th St, Carmel, IN, United Statesjoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS Field Trip chair and President, as he leads you to three 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. To get more information on the GBBC, go to birdcount.org. The field trip is free but limited to 10 participants, and registration is required.
Woodcock Walk – Carmel West Park
West Park 2700 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, United StatesJoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS President, 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. Registration is not required.
Sax-Zim Bog Winter Adventure
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Indiana birder and outstanding photographer, Shari McCollough, as she relates her experiences leading birding adventures to Sax-Zim Bog, north of Duluth, MN, in the middle of winter. Sax-Zim Bog is THE place to see northern owl species, specialty woodpeckers, and finches in winter. There were many days that the temperatures never rose above zero degrees and the winds were savage, but the birding was fantastic.
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.
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.
Celery Bog Nature Area – FULL
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Field Trip Chair Chuck Anderson for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area. This will be a great opportunity to view early migrating waterfowl and year-round resident birds.
An Indiana Big Year
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin presenters Laurie Voss and Jeremiah Oden as they share their stories as they relate to taking part in an Indiana Birding Big Year in 2021. Hear about all the planning required, miles driven, chasing rarities, and their most noteworthy sightings and memorable disappointments.
Beers with Birders – Canceled
Sun King Carmel 351 Monon Blvd, Carmel, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS for an evening at the Sun King Carmel. We will meet to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering. This event is open to the public. Please email info@amosbutleraudubon.org if you plan to join us so we can be aware of how many people will be attending.
Lye Creek Prairie Burn
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin Laurie Voss, ABAS Recording Secretary and experienced bird hike leader, on a field trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka “The Burn”, in search of migrating Smith’s Longspurs and spring migrants. The Burn is located in Montgomery County and is the most reliable place for viewing Smith’s Longspurs in Indiana.