Bird Alliance of Central Indiana

Allisyn Gillet: Market Tower Peregrine Falcons
2024-11-12 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources monitors and manages around 50 at-risk bird species, each of which faces a unique suite of threats. Allisyn Gillet, state ornithologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will talk about the state’s Peregrine Falcon monitoring program, focusing on the epic romances between the falcons in downtown Indianapolis. She will describe the lives and legacies of these birds and end with a note on how you can contribute to the conservation of the state’s beautiful avifauna.

October Owl Festival
2024-10-26 - 2024-10-27 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Save the date for the 9th annual October Owl Festival at the Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, October 26th and 27th. This event is FREE with park admission, fun for the whole family, and guaranteed to be an Owl-tastic time! Check back soon for the full schedule of events & activities here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/activity/search/detail/28294?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Lye Creek Prairie Burn Field Trip
2024-10-13 08:30 - 11:00 | Lye Creek Prairie Burn, 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, 47933, United States
Join ABAS Recording Secretary and 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 8:30 am.
Participants should expect to hike two to three miles. The terrain is flat though there are no defined trails. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes. As always, don’t forget your binoculars. A couple of pairs will be available to loan for the hike. 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. Priority registration is available for ABAS members until October 1st, after which time, if there are spots available, non-members may register. To register email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com.
The Burn is on County Road 650 N in Montgomery County in the general area of 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 the right. The address given is approximate. These GPS coordinates might be helpful: 40.135048, -86.863575.

Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment Presentation
2024-10-08 19:30 - 20:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE), a long-term research project on forest management techniques that is based out of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forest. This presentation will cover the various research projects and goals which encompasses the HEE, as well as results.

Eagle Creek Park Clean Up
2024-09-21 08:00 - 12:00 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Join fellow ABAS members for a volunteer project at Eagle Creek Park. On Saturday, September 21 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm we will meet to clean up at cofferdam trail and the north loop trail. Come explore a new or familiar park and help us keep it clean at this park clean up event. RSVP and direct any questions to Audrey Cooper, Conservation Chair, at audreyacooper@gmail.com.

Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab Field Trip
2024-09-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, 3200 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46222, United States
The Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab is a wonderful place to bird watch, with over 165 different species sightings being recorded since 2002. No experience is necessary. The field trip will be led by Dr. David Benson. Dave is the Director of the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab & Associate Professor of Biology at Marian University.
We will meet at the St. Francis Colonnade just west of the Allison Mansion on the campus of Marian University at 8:00 am. The field trip is limited to 10 participants and early registration is offered to ABAS members until Aug. 31st after which time non-members may register if there are any open spots. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars. A couple of pairs will be available to lend, if needed.
This field trip is expected to fill quickly. To register email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Conner Prairie Bird Migration Walk
2024-09-14 08:30 - 10:30 | Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN, 46038, United States
Join Amos Butler Audubon Society for an autumn bird walk along the Trails. Enjoy the beauty of migration as birds return south, resting among the trees, river, and prairie habitats at Conner Prairie. Some binoculars will be available to borrow; feel free to bring your own. This event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Amos Butler will be providing bird hike leaders for the walk.
Please Register: HERE

Birdathon Silent Online Auction
2024-09-11 08:00 - 2024-09-15 20:00 | IN
The Birdathon Silent Online Auction will begin at 8am on 9/11/24 and end at 8pm on 9/15/24.
Please preview the event: HERE

David Benson's Big Year
2024-09-10 19:30 - 20:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Join David Benson as he recounts his thrilling Lower 48 Big Year adventure on a budget. He amassed 611 species and 75 lifers across 35 states, securing a 12th place ranking. Re-live with Dave the excitement of encountering stunning birds, exploring breathtaking locations (Brownsville dump!), and relying on the help of generous birders, with the unexpected twist of being kicked off eBird. Don’t miss this meaningful journey filled with fun, challenges, and unforgettable moments!
Photo Courtesy of Maikel Wise.

CANCELED - Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forest
2024-09-07 08:00 - 10:00 | Yellowwood State Forest, 4220 T.C. Steele Rd., Nashville, 47448
UPDATED DIRECTIONS:
If you are approaching from Indianapolis, we recommend taking I-69 and exiting onto 134 to take Old 37/Hacker Creek on your right. Keep on Old 37 until you see a sign for Morgan-Monroe State Forest then turn left onto main forest road. Continue down this road for about one mile until you come to a gravel parking spot on your left with a large wooden sign that reads Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment with a clearcut directly behind it.
Join Katelyn Rae Garrett, Field Coordinator for Hardwood Ecosystems Experience (HEE) Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources, for a morning of birding and exploring Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forest. “The HEE is a long-term, large-scale research project out of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forest studying the effects of forest management techniques. This project encompasses a wide array of subjects including vegetation, birds, small mammals, insects, public attitudes, and much more!
Join HEE staff for a tour of study sites in Morgan-Monroe State Forest and learn about previous and ongoing research.” The field trip is free but limited to 12 participants. Early registration for ABAS members is available until September 1 after which, if there are any open spots, non-members may sign-up. Don’t forget your binoculars. A couple pairs may be available to lend for the hike. To register email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com.

Birds and Brews
2024-08-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Ash & Elm Cider Co., 1301 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46201, United States
Amos Butler Audubon Society (ABAS) and Audubon Great Lakes will be hosting another Birds & Brews on Monday August 26 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Ash&Elm 1301 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis. Join for a free happy-hour style event to learn about opportunities to work together to address the biggest threats facing birds and Indiana communities — all while enjoying a complimentary drink! From climate change to the rollback of protections for Indiana’s wetlands, experts will discuss challenges facing Indiana’s birds and other wildlife and solutions to protect them. The event is free and participants will receive both one free drink ticket and light hors d’oeuvres. Registration for this event is required. RSVP and find more details in the link below.
https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-great-lakes/event/643403/

Fountain Square Chimney Swift Watch
2024-08-17 20:30 - 21:30 | Rooftop Garden at Fountain Square Theatre Building, 1111 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Join 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. Register with Jessica through Jh_beagle@hotmail.com. The best viewing will be 8:30 to 9:30.
There is parking on the street outside the building or lot at Woodlawn Ave. just north of the building right off of Woodlawn and Virginia. Go to the side of the theatre building near Kuma’s Korner restaurant to find a building entrance door and hall with elevator. Take the elevator to the top floor.

Central Park Cleanup
2024-08-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Central Park, 920 Central Park Drive West, Carmel, IN, 46032, United States
Join fellow ABAS members for a volunteer project with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation! On Thursday, August 15th from 9:00 am-11:00 am we will meet at Central Park (920 Central Park Drive West) in Carmel for a park clean up. Come explore a new or familiar park and help us keep it clean at this park clean up event! Registration is required and can be done at the link below: https://app.initlive.com:443/JE/zz7nhqmomsvmrn
Any questions can be directed to Audrey Cooper, Conservation Chair, at audreyacooper@gmail.com.

Flowing Well Park Cleanup
2024-06-28 09:00 | Flowing Well Park, 5100 E 116th St, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Join fellow Amos Butler members for a volunteer project with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation! On Friday, June 28th from 9:00am-11:00am we will meet at Flowing Well Park (5100 E 116th St) in Carmel for a park clean up. Come explore a new or familiar park and help us keep it clean at this park clean up event! Registration is required and can be done at the link below: https://app.initlive.com:443/JE/blenbbr6e3fis9

Any questions can be directed to Audrey Cooper, Conservation Chair, at audreyacooper@gmail.com.

Climate Watch: Grab Your Binoculars—Birds Need Your Help!
2024-06-08 08:30 - 11:30 | River Road Park, 12575 River Rd, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Grab Your binoculars—Birds Need Your help!
What’s even better than watching birds? Knowing you’ve done something meaningful to protect them. Join Climate Watch, and you’ll be doing both! As the impacts of climate change continue to unfold, nearly two- thirds of all North American bird species could struggle to adapt. When you participate in Audubon’s newest community science project, you’ll give Audubon scientists vital data on how birds are faring now—which guides our most effective conservation work to help them adapt.
Join the summer survey team on Saturday, June 8 from 8:30 am to11:30 am. Our official meeting location is the River Road Park in Carmel, IN. We will split up the specific survey locations depending on the number of participants. The more participants we have, the more survey area we can monitor!
Get ready to count the bluebirds, nuthatches, goldfinches, towhees, or Painted Buntings you see. And know that
you’re an important part of protecting birds and the places they need.
RSVP or send any questions to Audrey Cooper, ABAS Board Member and Conservation
Chair. For more information on Climate Watch, contact Chandler Bryant, ABAS Board Member and Climate Watch
Chapter Coordinator.
Audrey Cooper – audreyacooper@gmail.com
Chandler Bryant – Chandlersbryant@gmail.com
Source: National Audubon Society’s Climate Watch webpage
Coordinator Resources for Climate Watch | Audubon

Mike Timmons: Voyage around Alaska
2024-05-14 19:30 - 20:30 | IN
Join Mike Timmons on a photographic voyage around Alaska. Mike will present photos and discuss his time in various places around Alaska. Come see the “big 5” of Denali, the pelagic birds of Chiswell Islands, brown bears at Brooks Falls, and the eiders and shorebirds of Utqiagvik (Barrow). There may even be a polar bear or two.
Photo Courtesy of Mike Timmons

Eagle Creek Park Birding Festival
2024-05-12 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-05-11 10:00 - 17:00 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
May 11-12, 2024 is the 7th Annual Eagle Creek Park Birding Festival! Get ready for a weekend of celebrating all the birding opportunities Eagle Creek Park has to offer during the height of migration season. We will offer FREE guided hikes, workshops, activities, adaptive/inclusive outings, and various paid birding adventures. No birding experience required! For the free guided hikes and activities, park admission is $6 for in county residents and $7 if you live out of Marion county. Schedule coming soon! https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/activity/search/detail/26074?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Zionsville Greenfest
2024-04-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 W Oak St, Zionsville, IN, 46077, United States
In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, this event connects participants with the resources to become good stewards of the environment. Learn about living sustainably while having fun! Schedule posted soon!
Greenfest | Zionsville, IN (zionsville-in.gov)

Muscatatuck NWR Field Trip
2024-04-27 08:00 - 13:00 | Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, 12985 East US Highway 50, Seymour, IN, 47274, United States
Join ABAS Education Chair Jessica Helmbold as she leads you around Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour, Indiana. Muscatatuck NWR is 7,724 acres and is one of the largest tracts of greenspace in Indiana. This south-central Indiana refuge is a flat to gently rolling mix of bottomland and upland forest, wetland, brushland and grassland habitat. The refuge has been designated as a Continentally Important Bird Area. It is a great place to observe a vast number of Indiana’s year-round and migratory water bird species as well as a large variety of spring warblers that will be migrating through in late April.
For those wanting to carpool, meet at the Walmart at County Line Road and Emerson Avenue in Greenwood at 7:00 am. Please indicate that you want to carpool when you register. Specific details about where to meet in the parking lot will be sent to attendees prior to the outing. For those wishing to drive directly to the refuge, meet at the visitor’s center at 8:00 am.
The field trip is free but limited to 10 participants and registration is required. ABAS members only can register before April 6, 2024, after which time, if there are any spots open, anyone may register. To register email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com.

Birds & Blooms Hike
2024-04-21 01:00 - 14:00 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Join Ornithology Center manager, Jenna, and her family (the Nawrocki’s) to learn the birds of Eagle Creek and the unique relationships they have with spring wildflowers. Explore the trails around the Ornithology Center on this relaxed guided hike. Binoculars are provided. Perfect for the whole family. Free with park admission! Distance: 1 mile, Easy, trail stroller friendly and relatively accessible. Call ahead for accessibility questions, we would be happy to accommodate you!
Find more Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Weekend events here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/activity/search/detail/26082?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Earth Day at The Trails at Conner Prairie
2024-04-20 12:00 - 15:30 | Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN, 46038, United States
Honor Earth Day at Conner Prairie with nature-focused programs along the Trails. Meet community members focused on nature and conservation, take guided strolls along the trails with Conner Prairie staff, and engage in playful invitations to connect with our beautiful planet. This event is included with daily admission ticket.
12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Community presentations and play invitations
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Guided Nature Walk
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Walk and Learn: Invasive plants of Indiana
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Guided Nature Walk
All programs meet at the Trailhead behind the Symphony Bowl.
Learn more about the Trails at Conner Prairie.

Earth Day at The Trails at Conner Prairie | Conner Prairie

Survey Volunteer Call Out Meeting
2024-04-18 17:30 - 19:00, 2024-04-11 17:30 - 19:00, 2024-04-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Indiana State House, 229 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
HELLO BIRD LOVERS!

We are hosting training for data collection/bird rescuing for the Bird Safe Indy initiative of the Amos Butler Audubon Society here in Indianapolis!

We will be meeting on the sidewalk across from the south side of the Indiana Statehouse on Washington Street ((39.7673489, -86.1626779) for demonstrations that may last up to an hour. And this will include some walking around nearby buildings. As a disclaimer, you may see birds in unsettling condition. You just need to bring yourself and perhaps a phone as there will be an app demonstration.

These will be made as events on our Facebook Page for you to put them on your calendar. If you have any questions, please contact us through email at loi@birdallianceofcentralindiana.org or directly through our social media channels.

Sparrow ID Workshop: Enjoying the Challenge of Sparrow Identification
2024-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 East 151st St, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Please join Amos Butler Audubon Society and Jeremiah Oden for an enjoyable and educational workshop on sparrows. Jeremiah has been a nature lover all his life; he began birding in May of 2020 and hasn’t looked back. He completed a Big Year in 2021 and has spent 2023 studying and photographing sparrows. He has photographed every sparrow in the lower 48 states except one. Can you guess which one it is? The workshop will focus on birds seen in Indiana, including uncommon ones. His workshop willl be interactive, challenging, and fun. If you want to do a little birding with Jeremiah before the workshop, meet at the Cool Creek Nature Center at 8:30 a.m.
Workshop begins at 10 a.m. and registration is not required.

Water Quality of the Indiana Water Streams
2024-04-09 19:30 - 20:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
High school student Vidhatri cares deeply about the water quality of the Indiana water streams. She has recently developed a novel and rapid method to detect nanoplastics contamination in the wastewater generated by our local neighborhoods. Her method has received wide attention by water experts and the local media. Her work has been featured in the Carmel Current and Hamilton Reporter newspapers. She was recently interviewed by the Local TV channel, Wish TV. Vidhatri has presented her nanoplastics detection method at water conferences.

Lye Creek Prairie Burn - FULL
2024-04-07 08:30 - 11:00 | Lye Creek Prairie Burn, 240 East County Road 650 North, Cherry Grove, IN, 47933, United States
FULL – Standbys accepted – email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com for information on waiting list.
Join 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.
The field trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. ABAS members only can register prior to March 31st, after which time, if there are spots available, anyone may register. This field trip has filled quickly in past years. To register email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com. If the longspurs haven’t yet arrived by this date or if there is a forecast of inclement weather for April 7th, our field trip backup date will be the following Sunday, April 14th.
The Burn is on County Road 650 N in Montgomery County in the general area of 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 the right. The address given is approximate. These GPS coordinates might be helpful: 40.135048, -86.863575.

Making Your Windows Bird Safe - Wild Birds Unlimited (Greenwood)
2024-04-06 | Wild Birds Unlimited – Greenwood, 331 S State Rd 135, Greenwood, IN, 46062, United States
Lights. WINDOWS. Action. Join us for a day of education, giveaways, and more. We will be set up at Wild Birds Unlimited – Greenwood during store hours. Come see our information booth!

Thank you to Wild Birds Unlimited, Renewal by Andersen, and Feather Friendly for making these educational days possible.

Celery Bog
2024-03-23 08:30 - 10:00 | Celery Bog Nature Area, 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, United States
Join Matthew Krohn for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area. This will be a great opportunity to view early season waterfowl and year-round resident birds. Target birds are waterfowl, including Northern Pintail, Redhead, and Canvasback ducks, swans, and geese. In case the bog is still frozen, no waterfowl has yet arrived or there is inclement weather, our backup date is March 30, 2024.
The terrain is flat and trails are well managed. The hike will be 2 to 2.5 miles. Restrooms are available at the Lilly Nature Center. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Dress appropriately for the weather. We’ll meet at 8:30 am in the first parking lot on the right, inside the park.
There is no fee for the field trip. However, it is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. Priority registration is available for ABAS members through March 15,2024, at which time if there are any spots open, registration will be open to non-members. Email Chuck Anderson at chucka1999@aol.com to reserve your spot on the field trip.
If you have any questions, please email Chuck at chucka1999@aol.com
