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AWBAS Birding Trips and Programs
Amos W. Butler Audubon Society monthly programs are held from September
to May on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Holliday Park
Nature Center, 6363 North Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN (317) 327-7180.
Click here for a map or for general information about Holliday Park.
November 13, Tuesday
Lecture: The Birds of South Africa
Speaker: Steve Nawrocki, Professor of Biology and Anthropology at the University of Indianapolis
As so many birds have left Indiana for the winter, many birders think about going to other locales to bird. Join Steve Nawrocki at Holliday Park to learn about his nature experiences in a place few of us will get a chance to visit, South Africa. During two recent trips to South Africa he saw about 200 bird species along with many mammals and reptiles, many of which he photographed. His slideshow will focus on the birds of 3 broad ecological zones (thornvelt, high-altitude grassvelt, and marshland) in the northeastern part of the country, including Kruger National Park and the famous Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Break away from Indiana for the night and join us on bird safari.
December 11, Tuesday
Lecture: Song-Catcher — Memorable Experiences of a Professional Birdsong Recorder
Speaker: Geoff Keller, Master Song Recorder
It's always a good time to review bird songs and calls while sitting by the fire. Some of the recordings you listen to may have been recorded by our speaker, Geoff Keller, who has recently moved to Nashville, Indiana. Geoff started recording bird songs in 1983 and has worked closely with Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology. He has archived almost 3,000 North American bird song recordings with Cornell and has traveled to all the great birding sites from the Florida Keys to Nome, from southern Mexico to Churchill. He is currently working on Bird Songs of the Pacific Northwest. His program will feature some his most memorable recording experiences, such as the Five-striped Sparrow in Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, Mangrove Cuckoo in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, Red-throated Pipit in Nome, Alaska, and Buff-colored Nightjar in the Santa Rita grasslands of Arizona, among others. If you think about how much we depend on the skill of people like Geoff, you will not want to miss his talk on a special Thursday date of December 13.
January 8, Tuesday
Lecture: Fall Migrations and Winter Habitats of the Reclusive Northern Saw-whet Owl
Speaker: Ross Brittain, Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington
In 2002, Ross created and continues to coordinate the first study of Northern Saw-whet Owl migration patterns in southern Indiana. He has also surveyed overwintering populations of Saw-whet Owls to assess their habitat use. He is a Master Bird Bander and Wetland Community Ecologist. Ross is currently working on a Ph.D. in Environmental Affairs, studying avian trophic ecology using stable isotopes, and the potential long-term effects of sea level rise and standard management practices on coastal Georgia avifauna. His project is funded by a Graduate Research Fellowship from NOAA and is conducted at the National Estuarine Research Reserve on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The Northern Saw-whet Owls are thinking about starting a family right about now - you should find out what they are up to! Get the New Year started right by joining us at Holliday Park.
February 12, Tuesday
Lecture: The Importance of Indiana's Reclaimed Strip Mines for Grassland Birds
Speaker: Peter Scott, Associate Professor of Ecology and Organismal Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute
March 11, Tuesday
Lecture: Use of Isolated Wood Lots by Migratory Birds
Speaker: Diane Packett
Diane has been studying how our migrant birds use isolated wood lots. She will update us on her research, which has been supported by funds from the AWBAS Birdathon.
Regularly Scheduled Bird Walks
Eagle Creek Bird Hikes with Bud Starling
Every Sunday year-round, 9 a.m. Meet at the Eagle Creek Park Nature Center.
The hikes are free and open to everyone. Gate fee: $4.
For more information, contact Donna McCarty at (317) 299-5675.
Cool Creek Bird Hikes with Bud Starling,
James Cole, and Art Jeffries
Every Saturday year-round at 8 a.m. with Bud Starling and every Sunday at 8 a.m.
in April, May, September, and October (migration) and every other week during
the other months with James Cole and Art Jeffries. Note that during the winter the
meeting times change to 9 a.m. Cool Creek Park, 2000 East 151st St.,
Carmel. Hikes begin in the park's north parking lot.
The hikes are free and open to everyone. No gate fee.
Call (317) 848-0576 for information.
Bird Hikes at the EcoLab with James Cole
8 a.m. Wednesdays and first Saturdays of each month
Free
Explore the Marian College EcoLab while identifying and learning about the birds we encounter in this historic and natural landscape. As we search for birds, we'll also be recording our sightings as census data to monitor avian populations. This is a great way to enjoy bird-watching while contributing as a "citizen scientist." Meet James Cole at the Colonnade.
Directions: The EcoLab is in Indianapolis, at the north end of the Marian
College campus (3200 Cold Spring Road). Enter at the northernmost entrance (at
a large blue "Civic Theatre" sign). The colonnade will be on your right,
next to the Allison Mansion. Marian Hall is the large hall on your left with "
Marian College" written across the front.
Information: Dave Benson
Cool Creek Park, Carmel
Cool Creek Bird Hikes
Leaders:
Bud Starling, James Cole, and Art Jeffries
8 a.m. every Saturday year-round
with Bud Starling
8 a.m. every Sunday in April, May, September, and October (migration) with
James Cole and Art Jeffries; 8 a.m. every other Sunday during the other
months with James Cole and Art Jeffries (9 a.m. in winter months)
Other Indiana Chapters' Calendars
Birding Links
AOU Check-List of the Birds of North America
List of the 2,037 bird species (with scientific and English names) known from the A.O.U. Check-list area.
Birding Basics
The National Audubon Society's online guide to becoming a better birder.
Finding a Birding Pal in Indiana
A network of birders sharing knowledge and experience of their home area with visitors
who are willing to reciprocate if the opportunity presents itself.
Indiana Dunes Bird Watching
Covers birding along Lake Michigan in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties in Northwestern Indiana
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
A splendid 7,724-acre birding area in southcentral Indiana near Seymour.
Lake Monroe
One of Indiana's premier birding sites, this is one of Indiana's Bald Eagle concentration points.
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