Geist Reservoir and Mt Comfort Airport – January 24, 2026

The forecasted snow had already begun to lightly fall when 10 birders met at Geist Coffee Co in Fishers for a caravan in search of winter bird species. This precipitation was the beginning of the weekend’s snowstorm, with wind chills already in the single digits. Yet with warm lattes and teas in hand-warmered hands, they and their leader, ABAS Editorial Chair Olivia Bautch, braved the weather anyway.

First stopping by Geist Waterfront Park, the group of 20 and 30-somethings noted flyover Canada Geese and a few juncos, but most of the reservoir was frozen over. The stop was a short one as they caravaned to the industrial ponds around the Indianapolis Regional Airport in McCordsville. In recent (warmer) days, reports included collections of various duck and geese species, an overwintering Trumpeter Swan pair and their cygnet, and state-endangered Short-eared Owls. However, frozen ponds were the pattern in McCordsville as well. 

A few clusters of Canada Geese stood in the corn fields and called overhead, though visibility was quickly decreasing from the blustery snow. Small birds flew like larks across the fields, though again, snow obscured the ability to pin a confident ID down. Once on airport premises, Olivia got tipped off to owls ahead by Hancock County birder, Marilyn Smith.

Parked at a dead-end, the group stepped into the wind to find a Short-eared Owl in the field. As is common with the species, the bird took off in buoyant, silent flight, making its way closer to the gate in front of the birders. It perched atop the gate, providing remarkable views even without binoculars, dropped to the ground, soared across the street and sat for a bit longer. Likely the same individual, the group watched an owl again near the IU helipad further down the road. Light low and snow falling, they watched the bird hunting for a good thirty minutes before returning to the coffeeshop.

Though many of the birds we sought were hidden from the storm, our inspiring, majestic, resilient Short-eared Owl was not, and neither were we.