Eagle Creek Ornithology Center – September 17, 2025
On a warm evening in early fall, eighteen young adult birders from the Indianapolis region gathered at the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center for the newest of Amos Butler’s program offerings. ABAS Editorial Chair Olivia Bautch and Communications Chair Jenna McElroy welcomed the diverse group of bird lovers aged 20-40 with a bonfire and space to mingle.
The adults who were able to attend the event—one-half of those who expressed interest in the series’ future events— engaged in introductions to get to know their new peeps and a bit of their stories with birds, before enjoying s’mores.
During the second half of the evening, the group grabbed their binoculars and Merlin app and took to the trail for some friendly competition. Two “teams” explored the trails near the Ornithology Center while attempting to observe the most of their individual Birds-of-the-Day, per the Merlin app. But the quest in no way deterred the camaraderie and organic encounters in the field- comparing field marks on a Bay-breasted Warbler, following the tracks of buzzing hummingbirds, or counting the cormorants landing in their roosting tree at sunset. Big furry sightings like a raccoon and a slightly-concerning opossum made the participants’ days.
Making use of the participants’ feedback, ABAS has more Thirty, Birdy & Thriving events like this in the works for young adult birders in Central Indiana, including local and not-so-local field trips, birdy game nights, and more.
If you or a bird nerd you know did not sign up for the series, never fear! Our interest form is still open here, and information about the next event will be shared soon.