ABAS Event Calendar
Featured Events
Johnson County CBC
Johnson County Parks 2949 E. North Street, Nineveh, IN, United StatesThere 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. Contact Mike Clay at mpclay@comcast.net.
Eagle Creek Valley CBC
Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesThe Eagle Creek Valley Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by ABAS, takes place within a 15-mile-diameter circle covering the northwest side of Indianapolis, with the center being in Eagle Creek Park. Please contact Will Schaust at (317) 327-2473, or email him at william.schaust@indy.gov by December 14 to participate. 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.
Hamilton Co CBC
Cool Creek Nature Center 2000-1 East 151st Street, Carmel, IN, United States +1 moreCelebrate the holidays by helping the National Audubon Society conduct the 120th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join other bird-watchers for a morning of hiking and birding. Registration is required. To register or receive more details, call the Cool Creek Nature Center at 317-774-2500, or you can also register at myhamiltoncountyparks.com. Birders need to drive separately to locations. While birding participants will need to wear a mask and or social distance.
The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
Zoom Meeting 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. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Winter Lakefront Field Trip
Washington Park Beach Entrance 114 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birder and field trip leader Scott Enochs as he leads you along the Indiana Lake Michigan lakeshore in search of wintering gulls, waterfowl, and any vagrants that may be in the area. We'll meet at Washington Park Beach in Michigan City (41.7281N 86.9040W) at 8:00 am local time (9:00 am EST). We will spend the morning and early afternoon visiting various sites around the Indiana lakeshore. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Participants can expect to return to the Indianapolis area around 6:00 pm EST. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area. The field trip is free but is limited to 10 participants and registration is required. Priority registration is available to ABAS members through January 10, 2021. After that date, if any open spots remain, non-members may register. To sign up email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com or text Chuck at (317) 767-5438. Masks will be required for the majority of the trip. There may be times when we can spread out and get a break from the masks.
Hoosiers for Whoopers: How You Can Help Whooping Cranes in Indiana
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Taylor Franklin for an update on the Eastern Migratory Population ow Whooping Cranes. Taylor is a Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant with the International Crane Foundation (ICF). Taylor will cover where and when whoopers are in Indiana, how people can help by reporting locations of birds they see, and a protocol for watching them. He'll also cover how to turn in people that are harming them, and other interesting and important information for folks to know about whooper conservation. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan
Zionsville Community High School Football Stadium 1000 Mulberry St, Zionsville, IN, United StatesIf you need an incentive to get outside mid-winter, join ABAS Field Trip chair Chuck Anderson as he leads you to several local parks in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) worldwide event. At each park, we will record the species and number of all birds seen and submit that list to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology via eBird. The parks that we plan to visit are Turkeyfoot Nature Park in Zionsville, Starkey Park in Zionsville, Central Park in Carmel, and Daubenspeck Community Nature Park in Indianapolis. The field trip is free but limited to 10 participants. Registration is required. Priority registration is available to local ABAS members through January 10, 2021.
Dancing With Cranes: Their Story is My Story (Online Event)
Online IN, United StatesA CONVERSATION WITH DR. GEORGE ARCHIBALD, THE FIRST INDIANAPOLIS PRIZE WINNER. Join the Indianapolis Zoo for a special live conversation with the very first Indianapolis Prize Winner Dr. George Archibald. When ornithologist and co-founder of the International Crane Foundation Dr. George Archibald first met a female whooping crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans, his goal was simple: form a bond strong enough that she would lay an egg. His unique approach, which included dancing alongside her, created a remarkable relationship, produced a successful chick, and helped make a future for the species a reality. His journey is found within “Saving Endangered Species,” a new book featuring chapters from each Indianapolis Prize Winner and the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award recipients. Hosted by Indianapolis Zoo Board of Trustees member Christa Adkins, George will share his story during the virtual event and answer participants' questions. Registration is required.
Woodcock Walk – Carmel West Park
Jill Perelman Pavilion at West Park 3000 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, United StatesJoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS Field Trip Chair, for a trip to West Park in Carmel. Listen for the “peenting” sounds of a male woodcock as it attempts to court a female during the mating season. Watch the male perform an aerial display and listen to the sound of its twittering wings as it tries to attract a female. Depending on the rules at the time, masks will likely be required for most of the hike. There may be times we can spread out and take a quick break from the masks. Check the ABAS calendar to be sure the hike isn’t canceled.
Examining the Ecological Consequences of Climate Change through Phenology
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Amanda Cantrell, a Board Member of Indiana Phenology for our March program. Phenology is the study of the timing of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, such as leafing, flowering, and fruiting in plants and migration and reproduction in animals. These changes are driven by climate and other abiotic factors and govern how living organisms interact with each other. In this presentation, we will explore how changes in phenology, such as earlier Spring leafing and flowering or insect emergence driven by warming temperatures, can be indicators of climate change's impact on ecosystems. You will also learn how you as a citizen scientist can help track these changes through phenology observation to build a local dataset useful to scientists, policymakers, land managers, and conservationists to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Woodcock Walk – Daubenspeck Community Nature Park
Daubenspeck Nature Park 8900 Ditch Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Board member Brian Cunningham for an evening walk at Daubenspeck Community Nature Park (DCNP), a great spot to view displaying American Woodcocks. Woodcocks have a very acrobatic mating display that they perform at dusk known as the sky dance. While waiting for woodcocks, we will check the prairie and nearby woods for birds that may be going to roost in the park for the evening. Depending on the rules at the time, masks will likely be required for most of the hike. There may be times we can spread out and take a quick break from the masks. Check the ABAS calendar to be sure the hike isn’t canceled.
Woodcock Walk – Strawtown Koteewi Park
Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, United StatesUnusual, weird, romantic, and unique are all words used to describe the American Woodcock. Come experience this rite of spring for yourself as male woodcocks perform their aerial courtship displays for the females in the prairie at dusk! An indoor presentation will take place inside the Taylor Center to start.
An Introduction to Bird and Nature Photography
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesJoin Brian Zwiebel of Sabrewing Nature Tours for an informative presentation on beginning and intermediate bird photography. This introductory program is great for beginners and will offer a few nuggets for the intermediate shooter as well. Learn what Brian does, and what you should do too, every time you get your hands on a new digital camera. Discover what a histogram is, how to read it, and how to use it to make better exposures. Speaking of exposures, you will learn which exposure modes Brian uses in various situations and why. Learn to improve your images with better compositions and backgrounds, as well as how to improve your action and behavior images. All of this and much more will be included in the program and each talking point supported by Brian’s award-winning photography. This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90.
Smith’s Longspur Field Trip – Lye Creek Prairie Burn – FULL
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin Indiana birder and photographer Shari McCollough on a field 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. We may be joined by Clint Murray who owns the property and manages it specifically for the Longspurs and other birds. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Spring Migrant Bird Hike at Sargent Road Nature Park – FULL
Sargent Road Nature Park 8101 Sargent Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin us as Earl Simon leads us through Sargent Road Nature Park (SRNP). Earl is a member of the board of the Mud Creek Conservancy which is instrumental in the development of SRNP. This will be prime time for viewing warblers and other migrants. The terrain is flat with a mowed trail for easy accessibility. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and don't forget your binoculars. There are no restrooms available at the park. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Bird Hike at Marott Park & Nature Preserve
Marott Park & Nature Preserve 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesExperienced birders from ABAS will lead a bird hike sponsored by the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve. Beginning birders welcome. This should be primetime for spring migration. The preserve has dirt trails and there are decent hill climbs so wear appropriate footwear. Don't forget to bring your binoculars. The bird hike is free and no advanced registration is required. We'll meet at the preserve parking lot.
Bird Hike at Marott Park & Nature Preserve
Marott Park & Nature Preserve 7350 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesExperienced birders from ABAS will lead a bird hike sponsored by the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve. Beginning birders welcome. This should be primetime for spring migration. The preserve has dirt trails and there are decent hill climbs so wear appropriate footwear. Don't forget to bring your binoculars. The bird hike is free and no advanced registration is required. We'll meet at the preserve parking lot.
Sodalis Nature Park Spring Hike – FULL
Sodalis Nature Park 7700 S. Co. Rd. 975E, Plainfield, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birder and field trip leader, Scott Enochs, as he leads you on a bird hike at Sodalis Nature Park in search of migrating warblers and other spring arrivals. Sodalis is known as one of the most productive birding hotspots in Hendricks County. 170 species have been recorded there, including 34 warbler species. Registration is required and there is a limit of 12 participants.
Birding Belize: It’s UnBELIEZEable! – SOLD OUT
Zoom Meeting IN, United StatesDavid Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours in Bloomington, will give a presentation about birding in Belize, an emerging destination in Central America. David fell in love with Belize on his first visit and has led multiple birding tours to Belize since. The presentation will feature photos from recent tour participants as well as from Belizean photographers. Belize is only the size of Massachusetts but has a bird list of nearly 600 species. David will introduce you to the different regions of the country, some unique birds you can find, and give some examples of the variety of lodging that could fit a tight budget or provide a luxurious experience. This will be an online program using Zoom.
Spring 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 spring. Enjoy southern Indiana blooming, migration, and lunch after the outing. 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 required.