Join Mark Welter at Sodalis Nature Park in Hendricks County in search of migrating warblers and other Spring arrivals. Sodalis is known as one of the most productive birding hotspots in Hendricks County. 158 species have been recorded there, including 34 warbler species. Trails through the park are a mix of gravel and dirt and are normally an easy walk, but interior trails can become very muddy after even moderate rain. Appropriate footwear is recommended.
Join Eagle Creek Ornithology Center for the Eagle Creek Birding Festival! This is an all-day event where registrants can choose between expert-led birding tours of Eagle Creek Park, conservation seminars, family activities such as nature hikes and owl pellets, and live bird programs. Call or follow us on Facebook (@Ornithology.Center) closer to the event for the schedule of hikes and class choices. For full-day access: $25 per person, $20 per person with Family Rate (3+ individuals, call for discount). Park admission is included in the cost and lunch is provided for full-day attendees.
Last 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.
Join Amy Hodson at Eagle Creek Park for a spring migrant and warbler walk. Eagle Creek Park is one of the best birding locations in the Indianapolis area, and provides great habitat for warblers, vireos, tanagers and flycatchers.
The group will meet at the Eagle Creek Marina. We will move to other locations within the park pending the bird activity that morning. There is a $5 per car fee to enter the park if you do not hold a year park pass. If we leave the marina, trails could be muddy. Please wear the appropriate footwear. Registration is not required, and the event is open to the public.
Join Scott Enochs as he leads you on a hike through Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve. This hike will target migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers. Trails could be muddy so wear appropriate footwear. Please contact Scott at 317-850-4801 or msenochs@comcast.net if you have any questions. Registration is not required, but is appreciated. This event is free and open to the public.
Join Scott Enochs as he leads you on a trip to Kankakee Sands in search of breeding sparrows. Targets for the trip will include Song, Field, Vesper, Henslow’s, Grasshopper and Lark Sparrows. We will seek out other species as well like Orchard Oriole and Blue Grosbeak. We will meet at the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Indianapolis and carpool to Kankakee Sands. Walking will be minimal, and we will likely stay close to the roads. Please contact Scott at 317-850-4801 or msenochs@comcast.net if you have any questions. Registration is not required, but is appreciated. This event is free and open to the public.
