August 25, 2026 – Hancock County Sod Farm
Bird Alliance had scheduled a Boone County shorebird caravan for the 20-40ish birders crew in mid-August. As the month progressed, however, the target birds were clearly not in agreement on the set date. Plus, rains persisted from earlier in the week—rains that became the devastating floods of 2026.
Two weeks later the sun had returned with shorebirds too, this time to the idyllic Fortville countryside, sod farms, and just-right fluddles. TBT group leader Olivia jumped on the reports, and within 48 hours, she, bird guide Neil Brookhouse, and six young adult birders were basking in the orange rays of evening and plenty of mosquitos.
The group dipped on the Upland Sandpiper reported by Aidan Rominger and Dustin Schock immediately after they left for their primary spot. But at that spot, nearly a hundred shorbs dabbled and spun and flocked and flew. Friends new to shorebirds were taught identification of Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, and Baird’s Sandpipers, and there were plenty of spotting scope views and lifers to go around in Stilt Sandpiper, the aforementioned Baird’s, and two Wilson’s Phalaropes. Horned Larks dotted the sod farms, providing slight ID confusion—might one be a Buff-breasted Sandpiper? They were not.
Above the ponds, American Kestrels mingled with starlings and doves. Common Nighthawks rushed past a nearly-full moon and distant hot air balloons, to the summertime soundtrack of cicadas. Another magical experience with bird nerdy friends ended with a total of 20 species. Major thank you to Neil for stepping in as guide (for the first time, too!) for such a last-minute field trip. And thanks to the many birders out that evening who shared their sightings with us.
Want to view their eBird checklist? It’s right here.