Cool Creek Beginning Bird Hike
2026-03-15 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-18 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-25 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-29 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-08 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-12 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-15 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-22 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 East 151st St, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Birds are fascinating and watching them can be an awe-inspiring experience. Catching a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures can be frustrating. Learning how to identify all of them can be overwhelming Join a Hamilton Co Parks Naturalist and other guest leaders Sunday and Wednesday mornings and we will learn together. This will be a great opportunity for birdwatchers of all levels. You may begin anytime during the season and come as often as you like. Pre-registration is not required. Don’t forget your binoculars!
These hikes meet in the north parking lot of Cool Creek Park past the Nature Center.

Eagle Creek Bird Hikes
2026-03-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-29 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-05 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Each Sunday year-round at Eagle Creek Park. Meet us at 9:00 am at the Ornithology Center.
This event is free, though a gate fee to Eagle Creek Park applies.

Holliday Park Bird Hike
2026-03-17 08:00 - 10:30, 2026-04-21 08:00 - 10:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Join us at Holliday Park for a bird hike through the woods and along the White River. Meet in front of the nature center. For more information call (317) 327-7180. Beginning birders welcome!

Woods and Woodcock Wander with Thirty, Birdy & Thriving
2026-03-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, 10410 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN, 46038, United States
In birding, March is a weird time. You’ve got winter species lingering while spring species are moving in. Trails can be muddy and lakes can be frozen. But one species is just the right kind of weird to shine in this season.

Our March Thirty, Birdy & Thriving outing is both a woodcock walk, and an observation of the species’ quirks. We’ll meet at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve in Fishers at 6:30pm for some spring birding with a species checklist (that might include a few species that aren’t birds) in the wooded and wetland habitats.

We will then head to the Observation Deck in the grassland to wait for the Woodcocks to perform their courtship “sky dance”. Depending on where activity is, we may wander to other trails along the grassland portion of the preserve for best viewing.

We will meet near the picnic tables and cabin at the trailhead, and several pairs of binoculars will be available for those who need them. Trail surfaces include rough gravel, boardwalks, and few dirt paths with roots/rocks. While gravel trails in grassland and swamp portions only have one incline, there is greater variation in terrain in the forest habitat. We will traverse up to .75 miles at a slow pace with stopping to observe birds. There is opportunity to sit at the Observation Deck.

The Thirty, Birdy & Thriving group is designed for bird-lovers age 20-40, as a space to observe birds with new friends from the Central Indiana community. To register, email Olivia Bautch at falcon_515@outlook.com, stating if you are a ABAS member or not. This program is limited to 20 participants and is free, but pre-registration is required. ABAS members get priority registration until March 10, but non-members should sign up early, as once registration is open, it is first come first serve.

What: Spring Woods and Woodcock Wander with Thirty, Birdy & Thriving
When: Friday, March 20, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
Register: falcon_515@outlook.com

Strawtown Koteewi Park Woodcock Presentation and Walk
2026-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Strawtown Koteewi Park, 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, 46060, United States
With March comes the peenting of the American Woodcock on its return to Indiana. ABAS offers many opportunities to marvel at the sound and courtship display of this remarkable bird. Please be sure to dress for the weather. A headlamp or flashlight is recommended as the birds begin their display at dusk.
Time: 7pm
Location: Strawtown Koteewi Park, 12308 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville, IN 46060
This event will be led by Amanda Smith or other Hamilton County Parks and Recreation staff. Participants will meet at the Taylor Center of Natural History at 7pm for an indoor presentation. The walk portion begins at 7:45pm.

Strawtown Koteewi Park - Beginning Bird Hikes
2026-04-01 08:30 - 09:30 | Strawtown Koteewi Park, 12308 Strawtown Avenue, Noblesville, IN, 46060, United States
Birds are fascinating and watching them can be an awe-inspiring experience. Catching a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures can be frustrating. Learning how to identify all of them can be overwhelming. Join a Hamilton Co Parks Naturalist or other guest leaders the first Wednesday of each month and we will learn together. This will be a great opportunity for birdwatchers of all levels.
Meet in the parking lot of the Taylor Center of Natural History.
Pre-registration is not required. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Cool Creek Bird Hike
2026-04-04 08:30 - 10:00, 2026-04-11 08:30 - 10:00, 2026-04-18 08:00 - 10:00 | Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 East 151st St, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Join expert birder Keith Starling each Saturday for a hike through Cool Creek.
No registration is required.
Meet in the north parking lot past the Nature Center.

Fort Harrison State Park Spring Migration Walks
2026-04-05 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 North Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46216, United States
Join Don Gorney for his spring migration bird walks at Ft. Harrison. During the walk, Don will point out birds seen and heard and provide details on how to identify spring warblers. Walks are ninety minutes to two hours on relatively even terrain. There is no fee for the walk but standard gate admission applies. Meet in the northeast corner of the Delaware Lake parking lot. Waterproof footwear is recommended for walking through dewy grass. For more information, contact Don at dongorney@yahoo.com.

Beckenholdt Park Bird Hike
2026-04-11 08:00 - 10:00 | Beckenholdt Family Park, 2770 North Franklin St, Greenfield, IN, 46140, United States
Join the Greenfield Birders for a bird hike. Beginners are welcome.
These walks are opportunities to meet other birders, hopefully see new birds, have new experiences, and learn from each other. All walks are weather pending. You can keep up to date with any changes, rescheduling, or local bird happenings by searching “Greenfield Birders” on Facebook. Feel free to join! For questions about these events, contact Adam by emailing nikonbirdhunter@gmail.com.

Lye Creek Prairie Burn for Smith’s Longspur and other Spring Migrants
2026-04-11 08:30 - 11:00 | Lye Creek Prairie Burn, 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, 47933, United States
Join outstanding birder and hike leader, Nick Kiehl, for a morning at Lye Creek Prairie Burn in search of spring migrants and Smith’s Longspur. “The Burn” is located in Montgomery County and is a reliable place for viewing Smith’s Longspurs in Indiana.

This field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Priority registration is available to ABAS members until March 15, but non-members should sign up early, as once registration is open, it is first come first serve. When you sign up, please indicate if you are a member or not and include your phone number. The phone number is in case of needing to cancel due to weather. The trails at The Burn can be muddy and wet so appropriate boots and gear are recommended. To register, email Laurie Voss at laurievoss25@gmail.com.

The Burn is on County Road 650 N in Montgomery County near Crawfordsville. To get there from I74 take the US 231 exit and go north just under 3 miles to County Road 550 N. Take a right on County Road 550 N for just over a mile to County Road 150 E. Take a left on County Road 150 E and continue to County Road 650 N. Take a right on County Road 650 N for less than a mile to The Burn which will be on your right. Look for the tree line that runs north and south. The GPS coordinates are: 40.135048, -86.863575

What: Lye Creek Prairie Burn Spring Field Trip
When: Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 8:30-11:00 am
Where: Lye Creek Prairie Burn, Montgomery County
Register: laurievoss25@gmail.com

Plant Patrol
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Let’s come together this wildflower weekend to make a beloved park a cleaner, greener place for us and our avian friends by removing invasive species.
Participants 18 and under must be supervised. RSVP is required.
Register for this event by emailing pat.stutz@indy.gov

April program: Birds of Austrailia
2026-04-14 07:30 - 20:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
It truly was a trip of a lifetime. Join Barb Jablonski and Laurie Voss as they share their unforgettable adventure “down under,” exploring the stunning country and continent of Australia.
Australia is home to birds and mammals found nowhere else on Earth. We had hoped—but never truly expected—to see some of its most remarkable wildlife up close: the Southern Cassowary, the duck-billed Platypus, the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot, Koalas, Echidnas, a Tree Kangaroo, and more.
From the beautiful beaches of Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, with memorable stops along the way to Tasmania, Barb and Laurie will share photographs and stories they hope will inspire you to discover this extraordinary country and the birds and mammals that call it home.

Brandywine Park Hike
2026-04-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Brandywine Park, 900 East Davis Rd, Greenfield, IN, 46140, United States
