ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
Spring – Migrant Field Trip – Morgan and Monroe Counties
Meet at Walmart in Camby 8191 Upland Bend, Camby, IN, United StatesJoin Scott Enochs on a trip to various spots in Morgan and Monroe Counties. The hike will target migrating warblers, vireos, tanagers, and flycatchers. More specifically, this trip will target Kentucky, Hooded, and Worm-eating Warblers. The trip will consist of various terrains which could include steep hillsides, so appropriate footwear should be considered. We will meet at 6:30 am at the Walmart in Camby. Registration is requested
Canceled – The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Smith, Superintendent of Natural Resources and Education for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, for an informative discussion about the dark side of Lepidoptera, specifically moths. They make up 90% of the Order of Lepidoptera, however, they share very little of the excitement or appreciation that surrounds their more popular cousins, the butterflies. Moths are critical to the food webs, extremely diverse, understudied, and many are more striking than the prettiest butterfly. In this program we will discuss moth identification, their importance in the ecosystem, how to attract them, tips on moth photography, and provide connections to resources and projects geared to helping people learn about these fascinating and yet often overlooked insects.
Newfields Bird Hike
Virginia B Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields 1550 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesABAS is excited to partner with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields for bird hikes on this beautiful property along the White River and Central Canal. The first hike will be led by ABAS President Rob Ripma. Meet at Lake Terrace in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres. The hike is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by emailing us at info@amosbutleraudubon.org. Join us as we explore the nesting species of this wonderful property.
Canceled – Garfield Park Swift Watch
IN, United StatesLearn 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
Canceled – Fountain Square Swift Watch
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.
Fall Warblers – Strawtown Koteewi Park
Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, United StatesPossible Travel Detour – Click into the post for details. Join well-respected birder and field trip leader Terry Ballenger as we look for migrating fall warblers as well as local resident birds in this 800-acre park. The fall migration should be well underway and we should expect to see several species of warblers. We’ll meet at the Taylor Center of Natural History building parking lot at 8:30 am and bird on foot from there. Masks will be required for the majority of the hike. There may be times when we can spread out and get a quick break from the masks.
Canceled – Bird Rehabilitation
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Liz Hatton for an informative discussion of bird rehabilitation. Located in Westfield, Liz has been a DNR permitted wildlife rehabilitator since 1995. Her husband, Chris, joined her in 1991. Last year they registered over 800 birds for rehabilitation. She will have a few live birds that aren't candidates to be released and will demonstrate feeding techniques with some young birds if possible.
Conner Prairie Fall Migration Field Trip
Conner Prairie 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN, United StatesRegistration is full. Join accomplished birders Becky Lomax-Sumner and Laurie Voss for a morning of birding at Conner Prairie. It should be prime time viewing for fall warblers and other migrating birds as well as local, year-round residents. The trip is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required. Masks will likely be required for the majority of the hike. There may be times when we can spread out and get a quick break from the masks.
Newfields Bird Hike
Virginia B Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields 1550 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesABAS is excited to partner with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields for bird hikes on this beautiful property along the White River and Central Canal. The first hike will be led by ABAS President Rob Ripma. Meet at Lake Terrace in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres. The hike is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by emailing us at info@amosbutleraudubon.org. Join us as we explore the nesting species of this wonderful property.
The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Smith, Superintendent of Natural Resources and Education for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, for an informative discussion about the dark side of Lepidoptera, specifically moths. They make up 90% of the Order of Lepidoptera, however, they share very little of the excitement or appreciation that surrounds their more popular cousins, the butterflies. Moths are critical to the food webs, extremely diverse, understudied, and many are more striking than the prettiest butterfly. In this program we will discuss moth identification, their importance in the ecosystem, how to attract them, tips on moth photography, and provide connections to resources and projects geared to helping people learn about these fascinating and yet often overlooked insects.
Fall Birding at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck NWR 12985 East US Highway 50, Seymour, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair Jessica Helmbold for a day of celebrating the best of fall. Southern Indiana fall colors, fall waterfowl migration, and lunch after the outing. Duck migration should be well underway and many species are expected to be present in the refuge. Meet at the Muscatatuck Visitors Center. Lunch will be at a local eatery with the location to be determined. There will be no fee for the field trip and it's open to the public. Registration is not required but greatly appreciated. Masks will be required for the majority of the hike. There may be times when we can spread out and get a quick break from the masks.
Celery Bog Nature Area Field Trip (Full)
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesRegistration is full. Join ABAS Field Trip Chair Chuck Anderson for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area. This will be a great opportunity to view waterfowl and year-round resident birds. Target birds are waterfowl, including Northern Pintail, Redhead, and Canvasback ducks, with a possibility of spotting a Long-tailed Duck. Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose also frequent the bog. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. Masks will likely be required for most of the trip. There may be times when we can spread out and take a break from the masks.
Indiana’s Rare Plants
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Roger Hedge for an online program about Indiana’s rare plants. From oak savannas, prairies, dunes, and natural lakes of northern Indiana, to southern Indiana’s forested hills, glades, barrens, and cypress swamps, our state has a rich biodiversity. These and other Indiana natural communities support a spectacular array of plant and animal species, including nearly 450 vascular plants that are considered endangered or threatened in the state. Many of these species occur on dedicated state nature preserves and other public lands. The Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center in tracks and monitors these rare species and high-quality natural communities. Roger Hedge is an ecologist and botanist with the data center. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 100.
Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski
Jasper-Pulaski FWA Headqaurters 5822 Fish & Wildlife Lane, MedaryvilleJoin ABAS Field Trip Chair, Chuck Anderson, for a trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). This will be a great opportunity to view thousands of Sandhill Cranes as they congregate in Goose Pasture before returning to the roosting marshes. There’s always a possibility of spotting a Whooping Crane among the Sandhills. We’ll meet at 4:00 pm at the Sandhill Crane Observation Platform parking lot located on County Rd 1650W, 1 mile past the park’s headquarters entrance. Follow the very visible signage. Bring binoculars and spotting scope if you have one. The trip is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required. Masks will likely be required during most of the viewing as this is a very popular location for observing the cranes.
Fall Birding at Goose Pond (Full)
Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, United StatesJoin accomplished birders Whitney and Jonathan Yoerger for a late afternoon field trip to Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in search of waterfowl and raptors. In addition to viewing multiple species of ducks and geese, we should see Northern Harriers hunting low over the fields. Just before dusk, Short-eared Owls will likely appear. The is a limit of 10 participants and registration is required. The majority of the field trip will be by car with multiple stops to get out to view birds. Masks will be required when birding in close proximity to others.
Newfields Bird Hike
Virginia B Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields 1550 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesABAS is excited to partner with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields for bird hikes on this beautiful property along the White River and Central Canal. The first hike will be led by ABAS President Rob Ripma. Meet at Lake Terrace in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres. The hike is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by emailing us at info@amosbutleraudubon.org. Join us as we explore the nesting species of this wonderful property.
Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey through 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! This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
4th Greenfield Birders CBC
IN, United StatesThe Greenfield Birders will be holding a Christmas Bird Count on December 19. All participants are encouraged to watch their feeders and bird at their favorite local park. There will not be a formalized meeting before or after the count. To submit your sightings and for more information, please contact Adam Wilson at nikonbirdhunter@gmail.com.
Jamestown CBC
McCloud Park Nature Center 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN, United StatesThis Christmas Bird Count centers around Jamestown, Indiana in Hendricks County. Please contact Roger Hedge at 317-473-3222 (cell) or rhedge@dnr.in.gov in advance to determine how this will work. There will be no group meeting to gather observations and totals. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance.
110th Indianapolis CBC
Fort Harrison State Park 6000 North Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesThe Indianapolis CBC, sponsored by the ABAS, takes place within a 15-mile-diameter circle covering the northeast side of Indianapolis, with the center point being in Fort Harrison State Park. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. Register to participate by calling John Schaust at (317) 208-4021 or emailing schaust@gmail.com.