Rachael Ackley – Executive Director, Shelby County Tourism & Visitors Bureau
Sitting on her school bus headed for home, 10-year-old Kailyn Bowman scours her Birds of Indiana field guide just in case she sees something interesting on her ride home through the south side of Shelbyville.
Kailyn is a 4th grade student at Loper Elementary School in Shelbyville, where Kailyn and her family moved to in July of 2025 from Cicero, Indiana. “It was a good move for our family, but it wasn’t easy on the kids,” states Carrie, Kailyn’s mom. “We found a place on the outskirts of Shelbyville, a place we could update and make our own. Our property has some woods that offer the kids a place to explore, so we were tickled. The kids love being outside, and Kailyn picked up an interest in birdwatching and identifying the species we were seeing around our yard.”
As the fall semester began, Carrie found information on social media about the new designation of “BirdTown” for Shelby County. “As I researched this new designation, I found a bird walk was scheduled for November 8, 2025, and asked Kailyn if she would like to go.”
Needless to say, Kailyn jumped at the chance to go on a birding excursion, and as her mom explained, “She found her people that day.”
Gathering for Fall’s Inaugural Bird Walk
The November 8, Inaugural Shelby County, Indiana BirdTown Walk was the first walk for the community, and was led by Shelby County BirdTown Board Members Monica Lutes and Rachael Ackley. This walk took place along the North Reach of the Blue River Trail System that borders Knauf Insulation. “We had over 26 people join us for our first walk as a certified BirdTown. Participants were encouraged to bring binoculars and comfy shoes for our first event,” said Monica Lutes.
Species seen along the trail system included Tufted Titmice, White-throated Sparrows, House Finches, American Goldfinches, Red-tailed Hawks, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and the Bald Eagle pair of Phil and Nancy.
“Our walk traveled to the area where we could safely view the eagles nest. Phil and Nancy have been nesting in this area for over 13 years, and have produced broods almost every year,” comments Rachael Ackley. “Our entire group enjoyed hearing the vocalizations of the Bald Eagle pair. Kailyn immediately broke out the scope and enjoyed viewing the eagles from our safe vantage point.”
Kailyn had so much to say about the first bird walk: “I really loved meeting everyone on the walk; they love birds just like I do. Learning more about looking, seeing, and hearing the different kinds of birds was amazing!”
A Winter Bird at the Holiday Parade
As the bird walk concluded, Kailyn learned about an upcoming outreach event the Shelby County, Indiana BirdTown committee had planned—being in the 2025 Holiday Parade in Shelbyville. “I asked if I could join the group at the parade, and they said absolutely!”
The BirdTown committee had decided one of the best ways to get information about the BirdTown initiative to the public was to participate in the parade, hand out stickers and flyers, and as a fun bonus, dress up as their favorite birds while doing so. To the committee’s complete surprise and delight, Kailyn dressed up as a baby cardinal. “I decided I wanted to be a cardinal since it is our state bird and who doesn’t know a cardinal bird?! I thought it was the best bird to be that night.”
Kailyn wasn’t wrong – she was the hit of the parade. Friends and family gathered to see Kailyn, and her brother Kam, strut their bird best at the parade. “I was famous at school for being the best baby cardinal anyone had ever seen.”
At Home in Shelbyville
You know that Birds of Indiana field guide mentioned earlier? Kailyn received that as a Christmas gift last year. This is her first copy of the book, and she really never leaves home without the book in tow. “I can find information about any native Indiana bird easily, and I have learned more and more about birds and their preferred habits, how to help preserve and conserve these habitats and things they like to eat, whether seeds, bugs, suet, or worms.
“I also use Merlin to help me identify bird songs and sounds. I really enjoy listening to all of the recordings, they are helping me identify birds before I even see them.”
Around her home, Kailyn spent her most recent Spring Break outside honing her bird identification skills with her new book and the use of the Merlin app. “My goal this year is to see a Great Crested Flycatcher. They are so beautiful and showy—but I will probably have to wait until summertime, since that’s when they are out catching bugs for their meals.”
Kailyn also worked with some of her new art sets, and has begun painting several species, including her newest piece that features a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. “I’m lucky enough to have a family that supports my love of birds, and lets me draw and paint, and sit outside to enjoy them all I want. Watching birds makes me happy. I find so much peace when I am learning about birds and it’s joyful to finally see a bird that I’ve really been wanting to see.”
Kailyn’s future plans include being the best young birder in Central Indiana, along with becoming a veterinarian who specializes in the care and treatment of birds. When asked about any advice she would give a prospective birder: “Make sure you have comfy shoes, good binoculars and listen carefully. Even if there are no bird walks going on in your community now, that doesn’t mean you can’t go out on your own and find your own joy in birding. There’s so much to see and learn.”
We couldn’t have said it any better Kailyn.
