ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
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.
Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey though the incredible country of Guatemala. Not only is Guatemala a birder’s paradise with species such as Pink-headed Warbler and Horned Guan, it’s also one of the best countries in Central America to experience the ancient Mayan culture. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua to the ancient Tikal ruins, there are numerous fascinating cultural and historic sites to see. Combine that with a wonderful diversity of birds, and Guatemala is a country that you don’t want to miss!
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.
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.
eBird Workshop
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesWhether you consider yourself an expert eBird user or you have never used it before, there are always plenty of new things to learn about the online database created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Join, Amos Butler Audubon Society President, Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, and well versed eBird user, Rob Ripma, for a thorough look at eBird. Rob has used eBird extensively around the world and right here in Indiana. Just bring yourself, a pen and paper and any questions you might have to the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center on October 6th.
“Jeop-birdy” with Wes Homoya
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesWes Homoya, a native Hoosier, is an avid birder, tour guide, conservationist, and bartender, among other things. His travels and ornithological employments have allowed him to live and bird in places as varied as Maui, Brazil, the Galapagos, Hungary, SE Asia, and Ecuador. Come and test your avian skills playing one of the world's most beloved game shows.
Lebanon Business Park Sparrow Field Trips
Lebanon Business Park - Meet at Dick's Sporting Goods 6030 West 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs as he leads you on a field trip to a local hot spot in search of resident sparrows. Our target sparrows will be Song, Field, Swamp, Lincoln's, Vesper, White-throated, White-crowned, Nelson's, and LeConte's. Participants will have their choice on which day to attend, but space will be limited to 10 people each date, and each participant may only attend one of the dates. There are two dates - Saturday and Sunday. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Lebanon Business Park Sparrow Field Trips
Lebanon Business Park - Meet at Dick's Sporting Goods 6030 West 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs as he leads you on a field trip to a local hot spot in search of resident sparrows. Our target sparrows will be Song, Field, Swamp, Lincoln's, Vesper, White-throated, White-crowned, Nelson's, and LeConte's. Participants will have their choice on which day to attend, but space will be limited to 10 people each date, and each participant may only attend one of the dates. There are two dates - Saturday and Sunday. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Wetland Birding Workshop at Muscatatuck NWR
Muscatatuck NWR 12985 East US Highway 50, Seymour, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair, Jessica Helmbold, for a workshop on wetland birds at Muscatatuck NWR. It will be a half day workshop ending with lunch at the visitor center around 1:00 pm. If you'd like to stay for lunch, please bring a brown bag or cooler lunch.