ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
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.
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.
October Owl Festival
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center for their October Owl Festival celebrating our favorite night-time hunter. Enjoy a fun-filled day with hikes, crafts, live bird programs, and more. Be sure to check out the ABAS booth while you're there. Perfect for the entire family. FREE with park admission.
Coffee – A History and Conservation
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, loves coffee. Most people love coffee, though are most people as obsessed with coffee as she is? Jessica presents the history of coffee, and how to select and brew the best coffees. Clearing land for the production of staple crops such as bananas, pineapples, and coffee is one of the biggest threats to our rainforests. Coffee can grow in harmony with the rainforest. Learn how the small choices we make can make a difference. We will also sample different varieties of Rainforest Alliance coffees. Join us!
CILTI Thanksgiving Weekend Hike at Mossy Point
CILTI Mossy Point Nature Preserve 2732 Danforth Place, Bloomingdale, IN, United StatesWalk off your turkey and stuffing with CILTI as Executive Director Cliff Chapman leads us on a hike through this stunning Parke County nature preserve. Mossy Point’s dramatic high ridges offer views of beautiful Sugar Creek, where Bald Eagles often roost in winter months. This is a moderate hike with some slopes and hills. Participants should wear sturdy shoes for hiking on some slopes. Conditions may be muddy or wet. Space is limited for this hike, so please register.
CILTI Hike at Meltzer Woods
CILTI Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve 1522 South County Road 600 East, Shelbyville, IN, United StatesJoin the Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI) for a guided hike through the always compelling Meltzer Woods. CILTI’s stewardship specialist Joanna Woodruff will lead participants through this beautiful old growth forest just outside of Shelbyville. We will work on our bark identification and have some fun while learning about the trees at this nature preserve. This is an easy hike over level ground. Space is limited for this hike, so please register.
Beers with Birders
Ash & Elm Cider Co. 1301 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin the Amos Butler Audubon Society for an evening at Ash & Elm Cider Co. We will meet from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering. This event is open to the public.
Goose Pond Area Raptor Trip
Goose Pond Area - Meet at Kroger 1930 East Main Street, Plainfield, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs as he leads you to Greene County in search of migrating and wintering raptors. Goose Pond, and surrounding areas in Greene County, has become a prime wintering area and migratory stop-over for raptors such as Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, Golden Eagle, and Short-eared Owl. We will spend the afternoon and evening trying to find as many birds of prey as possible. We will remain in the area through sunset in hopes of seeing Short-eared Owls emerge from their daytime roost. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but is greatly appreciated.
Bird Photography – Beyond the Snapshot
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin well known local birder and photographer, Ryan Sanderson, for an informative program on photographing birds. He will take us to the next steps, and show us how to go beyond just taking snapshots to something you might hang on your wall.
Hoosier Whooping Cranes
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Danielle Williams, Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant for Indiana for the International Crane Foundation (ICF), for an informative program about Whooping Cranes in Indiana. Did you know the tallest birds in North America winter right here in Indiana? Historically, this was not always the case. In this program, Danielle will discuss how the Whooping Crane made its amazing comeback from fewer than 20 individuals in the 1940s to over 800 today. Learn about the creative methods used to bring Whooping Cranes back to the eastern United States, the ongoing challenges associated with this effort, and what the ICF is doing to help these cranes right here in Indiana.
Winter Lakefront Field Trip
Meet at Dick's Sporting Goods 6030 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs as he leads you to the Indiana Lake Michigan lakeshore in search of wintering gulls, waterfowl, and any vagrants that may be in the area. We will spend the morning and early afternoon visiting various sites around the Indiana lakeshore. Little time will be spent hiking, though some hiking terrain would be considered moderate to rugged. Most of the time will be spent travelling to as many sites as possible to scan the lake. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area.
Bird Photography Walk at Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amy Hodson on a walk at Eagle Creek Park to photograph birds. All levels of photography are welcome, especially beginners! Don’t have camera gear quite yet, but still want to learn? This will be a great opportunity to learn about the basics of bird photography. The group will meet at the Ornithology Center to practice shooting at the feeders. We will then head into the park to look for the famous Barred Owls, Red Fox, and Winter Wrens! Please RSVP for this event by emailing info@amosbutleraudubon.org. Registration is required. Although there is no fee for this walk, park entrance fees apply.