ABAS Event Calendar
Field Trips
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.
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.
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.
Fountain Square Swift Watch
Rooftop Garden at Fountain Square Theatre Building 1111 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair and Indy 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. There is a limit of 10 for this event and registration is required.
Fall Warblers & Migrants – Strawtown Koteewi Park – Canceled
Strawtown Koteewi Park 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, United StatesJoin local birder and ABAS field trip leader, Terry Ballenger, as we look for migrating fall warblers and local resident birds in the 800-acre park. We’ll meet at the Taylor Center of Natural History building parking lot at 8:00 am and bird on foot from there. The terrain is flat and the trails are well defined. The Taylor Center opens at 10:00 am and has modern, well-maintained restrooms, as well as great cultural exhibits. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Warblers and Migrants – McCloud Nature Park
McCloud Park Nature Center 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN, United StatesJoin ecologist, botanist, and ABAS bird hike leader, Roger Hedge, as we look for migrating fall warblers and year-round residents in this 232-acre park in Hendricks County. We’ll meet at the Nature Center at 8:00 am and bird on foot from there. The trails are well defined and the terrain is flat. The Nature Center opens at 10:00 am and has modern restrooms, as well as a bird feeding viewing area. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required.
Warblers and Migrants – Eagle Creek Park
Eagle Creek Park Marina 7602 Walnut Point Rd, Indianapolis, IN, United StatesJoin birders extraordinaire Lisa and Randy Vanderbilt as we look for migrating fall warblers. We’ll meet at 8:00 am in the parking lot at the marina and bird along the road leading to the marina, as well as the open area and trails near the parking lot. Walking distance will be minimal and we’ll be on both paved roads and well-defined, hard-packed dirt trails. There are indoor restrooms at the marina. The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Lye Creek Burn – Fall Sparrows – FULL
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin experienced bird hike leader Laurie Voss on a field trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka “The Burn”, in search of fall sparrows, migrant waterfowl, and possible shorebirds. We’ll meet at The Burn at 9:00 am. Participants should expect to hike two to three miles. The terrain is flat, but there are no defined trails. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes. As always, don’t forget your binoculars. There are NO restroom facilities on the property. There is no fee for the field trip. However, the field trip is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Waterfowl at Celery Bog – FULL
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and 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. Swans, Greater White-fronted Goose, and various species of grebe also frequent Celery Bog. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Waterfowl, Raptors, & Owls at Goose Pond – FULL
Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, United StatesJoin accomplished birders Bill Sharkey and Richard Garrett as they lead us on a 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. There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required.
Gulls & Waterfowl at the Lakefront
Washington Park Beach Entrance 114 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN, United StatesJoin experienced birders Eric and Tina Rosier as they lead 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 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. Most of the time will be spent traveling to as many sites as possible to scan the lake. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area. The field trip is free but is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Great Backyard Bird Count Caravan – FULL
Flowing Well Park 5100 E 116th St, Carmel, IN, United Statesjoin Chuck Anderson, ABAS Field Trip chair and President, as he leads you to three 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. To get more information on the GBBC, go to birdcount.org. The field trip is free but limited to 10 participants, and registration is required.
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.
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.
Celery Bog Nature Area – FULL
Celery Bog Nature Area 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS President and Field Trip Chair Chuck Anderson for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area. This will be a great opportunity to view early migrating waterfowl and year-round resident birds.
Lye Creek Prairie Burn
Lye Creek Prairie Burn 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, United StatesJoin Laurie Voss, ABAS Recording Secretary and experienced bird hike leader, on a field trip to the Lye Creek Prairie Burn, aka “The Burn”, in search of migrating Smith’s Longspurs and spring migrants. The Burn is located in Montgomery County and is the most reliable place for viewing Smith’s Longspurs in Indiana.
Atterbury FWA
Atterbury FWA Pisgah Lake South Parking Area Mausferry Rd, Franklin, IN, United StatesJoin ABAS Education Chair Jessica Helmbold as she leads you around Atterbury and Driftwood Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) in Edinburgh, IN in search of spring migrants such as warblers and waterfowl.
McCormick’s Creek State Park – Canceled
McCormick's Creek State Park 250 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN, United StatesJoin Will Schaust, Eagle Creek Ornithology Center Manager and experienced bird hike leader, at 8:00 am at the Canyon Inn where restrooms are available. We’ll head out from there in search of warblers and other spring migrants.