ABAS Event Calendar
Monthly Program
Naughty by Nature
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Smith for our September program – Naughty by Nature. Out in the elements, birders and outdoorsy folks often encounter some of the not-so-wonderful aspects of nature such as poison ivy, nettles, snakes, chiggers, and spiders. Misconceptions about these “perceived” naughty natural things keep people from getting outside, but just an ounce of knowledge can help fight fear of the unknown.
Banding Saw-whet Owls in the Indiana Dunes!
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin speaker Brad Bumgardner, the Executive Director for the Indiana Adubon Society and previously an interpretive naturalist for the Indiana State Parks, for our November program. The Indiana Dunes is a gateway for migrating owls traveling along the shores of Lake Michigan and into the rest of Indiana. Volunteers and staff have banded hundreds of migrating Saw-whet Owls. Learn about the secretive migration and opportunities to view Saw-whet Owls in the Indiana Dunes.
30 Years of Birding for Bucks
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Donna McCarty, ABAS Birdathon Chair, for a look back at where the Birdathon started in 1987 and where we are today. Learn how our chapter’s mission has been promoted, the projects we have supported over the years, and what it takes to make a Birdathon team.
Exploring the Incredible Country of Ecuador
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Rob Ripma, ABAS President and owner of Sabrewing Nature Tours, for our January program at Holliday Park Nature Center. The program shows us the birds and wildlife that you can expect to find while exploring the northern part of Ecuador. As we travel from the high Andes to the tropical rainforest, you’re sure to learn about some exciting birds!
The Road to 1000!
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesBy today’s birding standards, a goal of seeing 1000 species of birds seems somewhat trivial. But to some people, it’s a big goal! With a family of 5 children, a full-time salaried job, and all of the full-time tasks that go along with it, getting to the goal has been no easy task. Join speaker Chad Williams as he takes you on a brief journey through some of his travels in the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America.
Bubbly Birder Big Year
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Board member Amy Hodson as she shares stories from a whirlwind of a year that got her to 302 species as well as the highlights, the misses, and the stories in between. This program will be conversational, so bring your questions and we will see you there!
A Journey to the Bottom of the World
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Lynea Hinchman, of La Porte County, Indiana, for A Journey to the Bottom of the World. Antarctica, the White Continent, is a wealth of wildlife and wonder. Imagine walking among penguins or being within feet of nesting Albatross or on a beach covered with Elephant Seals or having your dinner interrupted by a pod of Orcas on a feeding frenzy. Join ABAS and Lynea as we take a brief journey to this vast world of breathtaking beauty and amazing wildlife spectacles.
Dawn to Dusk: Two Young Birders’ Take on a Big Day
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesLast spring, five young birders took on a grueling 24-hour competition known as a Big Day. Hyped up on Red Bull and various forms of carbohydrates, the group logged 151 species despite birding on April 30, an early date during migration. Although it poured most of the day, these young birders were still able to find birds such as Chuck-will’s-widow, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Barn Owl. Join Matthias Benko and Ceth Williams at Holliday Park for an account of their day, from midnight to midnight.
Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey though 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!
“Jeop-birdy” with Wes Homoya
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesWes Homoya, a native Hoosier, is an avid birder, tour guide, conservationist, and bartender, among other things. His travels and ornithological employments have allowed him to live and bird in places as varied as Maui, Brazil, the Galapagos, Hungary, SE Asia, and Ecuador. Come and test your avian skills playing one of the world's most beloved game shows.
Coffee – A History and Conservation
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, loves coffee. Most people love coffee, though are most people as obsessed with coffee as she is? Jessica presents the history of coffee, and how to select and brew the best coffees. Clearing land for the production of staple crops such as bananas, pineapples, and coffee is one of the biggest threats to our rainforests. Coffee can grow in harmony with the rainforest. Learn how the small choices we make can make a difference. We will also sample different varieties of Rainforest Alliance coffees. Join us!
Bird Photography – Beyond the Snapshot
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin well known local birder and photographer, Ryan Sanderson, for an informative program on photographing birds. He will take us to the next steps, and show us how to go beyond just taking snapshots to something you might hang on your wall.
Hoosier Whooping Cranes
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Danielle Williams, Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant for Indiana for the International Crane Foundation (ICF), for an informative program about Whooping Cranes in Indiana. Did you know the tallest birds in North America winter right here in Indiana? Historically, this was not always the case. In this program, Danielle will discuss how the Whooping Crane made its amazing comeback from fewer than 20 individuals in the 1940s to over 800 today. Learn about the creative methods used to bring Whooping Cranes back to the eastern United States, the ongoing challenges associated with this effort, and what the ICF is doing to help these cranes right here in Indiana.
Birding The Nature Conservancy Properties in Indiana
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Matt Williams for our February program. As Director of Conservation Programs for The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, Matt will take us on a virtual tour of some of the Conservancy’s best properties around the state, and show us a photography slide show of some of the bird species that can be seen at these sites. Matt will also tell us a bit about his new book, Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest.
Birding in South Africa
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS member, shutterbug, and local birder Doug Vine as he presents photo highlights from his recent visit to South Africa. African creatures are majestic and awe-inspiring, and so are the birds! Doug's trip included a Capetown-based pelagic trip, and safaris into Kruger National Park, the Karoo, and KwaZulu-Natal regions.
Why Bird Feeding Makes a Difference
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Board Director Brian Cunningham for an informative program about feeding the birds. Anyone who has ever fed wild birds knows that it can bring joy to their lives. But, does bird feeding just benefit people? Do the birds become dependent on the food we provide? We’ll take a look at what we have learned from various scientific studies and citizen science data on why feeding wild birds makes a difference for the health and well-being of people and for our backyard feathered visitors.
Ornithology Center Celebrates Ten Years!
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesFor 10 years, the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center has provided top notch bird-based education to the city of Indianapolis and beyond. Join Ornithology Center Manager Will Schaust as he updates members on improvements to the center, ABAS funded projects, the 10 year anniversary of the "OC", and answers your questions.
White River Vision Plan
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Brad Beaubien, Long Range Planning Administrator for the City of Indianapolis, as he presents an update on the White River Vision Plan.
Indiana Raptor Center
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesWho doesn’t love raptors? And, who doesn’t love learning more about them? Join us as we host the Indiana Raptor Center alongside some of their Education Ambassadors ... raptors! The presentation will introduce you to the world of raptors along with some of the current projects of the Center. ABAS Birdathon grants have supported the Center each year since 2015.
Birds of Great Britain
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Jessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, as she unravels the mystery surrounding birds of Great Britain. How are British birds similar or different from US birds? Hint: it's not their accents! Step into the avian world of our neighbors across the pond.