ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
Goose Pond Field Trip with IWF
Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, United StatesIndiana Wildlife Federation is partnering with ABAS for a day of birding at one of Indiana's hottest migratory waterfowl viewing locations. Spend the day with expert birders. Hear about the work of the International Crane Foundation in Indiana. Learn how IWF helped in the creation of Goose Pond. Registration required and full details about the trip will be emailed to you closer to the date.
Woodcock Walk – West Park
West Park 2700 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs in a walk through West Park in search of American Woodcock. Woodcocks have a very acrobatic mating display that they perform at dusk, and West Park offers an up-close view of this display.
Bubbly Birder Big Year
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Board member Amy Hodson as she shares stories from a whirlwind of a year that got her to 302 species as well as the highlights, the misses, and the stories in between. This program will be conversational, so bring your questions and we will see you there!
Waterfowl ID Workshop
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair and waterfowl enthusiast Jessica Helmbold for a crash course on Indiana's Waterfowl. After the course, we will have lunch in the park and explore Eagle Creek Reservoir for waterfowl. Then in following weekends, weather dependent, we will make excursions to Muscatatuck NWR and Goose Pond for further study. Details about the two additional field trip opportunities will be emailed to workshop participants, posted on our Facebook page, and posted on the ABAS web site. You may join us just for the lecture, any of the field trips, or all events. For details, contact jessica.helmbold@indy.gov. RSVPs are appreciated, though not required.
ABAS Goose Pond FWA Field Trip
Goose Pond Area - Meet at Target 10209 E. US 36, Avon, IN, United StatesJoin Mark Welter for a trip to Goose Pond FWA in search of waterfowl. Located in Greene County just south of the town of Linton, Goose Pond’s 8000+ acres represent Indiana’s largest and most successful habitat restoration project. Since its completion in 2008, Goose Pond has been a magnet for migrating waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, and songbirds. Mid-March can be expected to produce an interesting mix of lingering winter birds and early Spring arrivals.
Beers with Birders
Blind Owl Brewery 5014 E 62nd St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin the Amos Butler Audubon Society for an evening at Blind Owl Brewing. We will meet from 6-8 p.m. to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering.
Smith’s Longspur Field Trip – Lye Creek Prairie Burn
Lye Creek Prairie Burn – Meet Old Marsh Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amy Hodson on a trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn (aka “The Burn”) in search of migrating Smith’s Longspurs. The Burn is located in Montgomery County and is the most reliable place for viewing Smith’s Longspurs in Indiana, as the property is managed specifically for them.
A Journey to the Bottom of the World
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Lynea Hinchman, of La Porte County, Indiana, for A Journey to the Bottom of the World. Antarctica, the White Continent, is a wealth of wildlife and wonder. Imagine walking among penguins or being within feet of nesting Albatross or on a beach covered with Elephant Seals or having your dinner interrupted by a pod of Orcas on a feeding frenzy. Join ABAS and Lynea as we take a brief journey to this vast world of breathtaking beauty and amazing wildlife spectacles.
Sodalis Nature Park Warbler Hike
Sodalis Nature Park 7700 S. Co. Rd. 975E, Plainfield, IN, United StatesJoin 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.
Eagle Creek Birding Festival
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin 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.
Dawn to Dusk: Two Young Birders’ Take on a Big Day
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesLast 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.
Spring Migrant & Warbler Walk at Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park Marina 7602 Walnut Point Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin 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.
Ritchey Woods Spring Migrant Hike
Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve 10410 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN, United StatesJoin 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.
Kankakee Sands Field Trip
Meet at Dick's Sporting Goods 6030 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin 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.
Beers with Birders
Metazoa Brewing Company 140 South College Avenue, Indianapolis, INJoin ABAS for an evening a Metazoa Brewing Company. We will meet from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering.
Summer Bird Hike
Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary at Eagle Creek Park 8571 Wilson Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amy Hodson in search of summer nesting species at Scott Starling Nature Preserve and Eagle's Crest in Marion County, Indiana. Both of these spots are located on the north side of Eagle Creek Park. The group will meet at Scott Starling Nature Preserve at 8:00 a.m. and will head over to Eagle's Crest to finish out the morning. Targets include Indigo Bunting, Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, and Orchard Oriole. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP via email or Facebook. Contact Amy with questions at aehodosn@gmail.com.
Garfield Park Swift Watch
Learn about Chimney Swifts as the sun sets with ABAS education chair and park naturalist Jessica Helmbold. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, binoculars or scopes to observe an active colony at Garfield Park Arts Center, plus several other bird species that are active at dusk
Fountain Square Swift Watch
Rooftop Garden at Fountain Square Theatre Building 1111 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS education chair and park naturalist Jessica Helmbold for bites, drinks, and Chimney Swifts at Fountain Square Theatre. From the Rooftop Garden Cocktail Lounge, mingle with ABAS members while observing an active swift colony, plus Common Nighthawks.
6th Annual Young Birders Conference
Cool Creek Nature Center 2000-1 East 151st Street, Carmel, IN, United StatesThe conference at Cool Creek Nature Center will feature speakers from the Indiana Young Birders Club as well as a keynote speaker.
Fall Migration Hikes with Rob Ripma
Eagle Creek Park Marina 7602 Walnut Point Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Rob Ripma on a series of hikes around Eagle Creek Park in search of fall migrants. We should find a different mix of migrants as we move through the month.