Prophetstown State Park – May 9, 2026

Three Indianapolis birders experienced their first foray into big day birding on a May TBT field trip celebrating World Migratory Bird Day led by West Lafayette-based Vivek Govind Kumar. From the parking lot, the chilly breeze of a sunny morning sent songs of Dickcissel and Prairie wafting over the prairie, while backlit Blue Grosbeak and Green Heron hung in trees and blue sky. The first viewable sparrow was a White-crowned Sparrow, though they also observed Swamp, Field, Song, and Henslow’s Sparrows.

Vivek led the group on the grassy path where more spring birds sounded off: screeching Ring-necked Pheasants, the dinosaur-like Pileated Woodpecker, and sweet songs of Northern Yellow Warblers and several vireos. The “bob-white” call of the namesake game bird drew the birders’ attention to shrubbery several times, and they were able to view a flushed pair. With a small group and many species being sighted multiple times, participants were able to stick close and learn identification tips.

In search of a Yellow-breasted Chat over the morning, the group finally viewed one closely as it darted into the heads of Vivek and Olivia, who successfully dodged the bird. Eastern Meadowlark, Cooper’s Hawk, Dickcissel, Orchard Oriole, Osprey, and Common Yellowthroat gave good looks. Though only one participant viewed it fully, a Bell’s Vireo singing his heart out was a clear standout as well as a Sedge Wren hopping from shrub to shrub that gave all amazing looks.

At the field trip’s end, this Global Big Day tallied up to 66 species by 10:30am. Vivek continued his own big day afterwards, ending up with 140 species! We want to thank Vivek for guiding such a wonderful, birdy hike for some of our TBT crew.

Want to view their eBird checklist? It’s right here.

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Eagle Creek Park – June 20, 2026

First-time guide and prior ABAS Birdathon Chair, Chandler Roberts, led seven young adult birders on a local outing to bird Eagle Creek Park’s waterfront. His scouting visit the day before produced Caspian Tern and the long-staying vagrant Neotropic Cormorant. Neither species made an appearance for the TBT crew, but the day was still productive!

Starting from Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary, the group stopped at the two marshy overlooks where Northern Yellow Warblers, Eastern Warbling Vireo, Eastern Pheobe, and Indigo Bunting swooped and sang from overhanging branches. Quite a few Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets were standing in the water, but baby season brought sweet observations of smaller waterfowl: two separate broods of fledgling Wood Ducks with their mothers.

 

Chandler identified a red-orange bird as Summer Tanager by its incessant song, but looks were spotty as it continued to recede into the forest. On returning to the Ornithology Center, the birders enjoyed more great talks and some sorbet under cool canopy at a reservoir overlook. Even though some of the target birds did not show up, the friends were often so caught up in conversation on the trail that birding almost became the secondary activity! Thanks again to Chandler for leading this bright bird walk for us.

Want to view their eBird checklists? Find them here and here.