Thornwood Nature Preserve Bird Hike
2020-10-10 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Thornwood Nature Preserve, 1597 South Morristown Pike, 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!

Fort Harrison State Park Fall Migration Walks
2020-10-11 08:00 - 10:00, 2020-10-18 08:00 - 10:00, 2020-10-25 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 North Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46216, United States
Fall migration is lively and full of warblers, raptors, sparrows, and other songbirds. During the walk, your leader will point out birds seen and heard and provide details on how to identify cryptic fall warblers, drab flycatchers, and LBJ’s, or Little Brown Jobs, also known as sparrows.
Walks are approximately 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 at 8:00 am. Masks or some face covering should be with you and it is strongly encouraged during the walk.

Eagle Creek - Bird Hikes
2020-10-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-10-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-10-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-11-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-11-08 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-11-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-11-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-11-29 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | 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.

Eagle Creek - Bird Hikes
2020-10-11 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Each Sunday year round at Eagle Creek Park. Meet at 9:00 am at the Ornithology Center.
This event is free, though a gate fee to Eagle Creek Park applies.

The Dark Side of Lepidoptera
2020-10-13 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Join 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.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Canceled - Volunteer Training
2020-10-15 09:30 - 11:00, 2020-12-17 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
ABAS is making it easy to volunteer with our Volunteer Training Program. Each session will focus on a different topic designed to provide volunteers with hands-on opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help with chapter programs and events. No experience needed, open to individuals age 16+.
These sessions are free and are open to the public. Register by emailing Abarnes@HollidayPark.org.

Fall Birding at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
2020-10-18 08:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, 12985 East US Highway 50, Seymour, IN, 47274, United States
Join ABAS Education Chair Jessica Helmbold for a day of celebrating the best of fall. Southern Indiana fall colors, fall waterfowl migration, and lunch after the outing. Duck migration should be well underway and many species are expected to be present in the refuge.
Meet at the Muscatatuck Visitors Center, 12985 East U.S. Highway 50, Seymour, Indiana, at 8:30 am. We’ll bird until 12:30 pm or 1:00 pm. An optional lunch will be at a local eatery with the location to be determined. Participants will be responsible for paying for their own lunch.
There will be no fee for the field trip and it’s open to the public. Registration is not required but greatly appreciated. Let us know in advance if you are planning to join the group for lunch so we can make reservations at the restaurant.
Please remember to dress for the weather, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring any water, hats, bug spray, and sunscreen you need. As always bring your binoculars. If you have any questions and to register for the field trip, email Jessica at jh_beagle@hotmail.com.
Masks will be required for the majority of the hike. There may be times when we can spread out and get a quick break from the masks.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Holliday Park Bird Hike
2020-10-20 08:30 - 10:00, 2020-11-17 08:30 - 10:00, 2020-12-15 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | 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!
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.

Beckenholdt Family Park
2020-10-24 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

Celery Bog Nature Area Field Trip (Full)
2020-10-31 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Celery Bog Nature Area, 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, United States
Registration is full. Join ABAS 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, with a possibility of spotting a Long-tailed Duck. Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose also frequent the bog.
The terrain is flat and trails are well managed. The hike will be 2 to 2 1/2 miles. Restrooms are available at the Lilly Nature Center after 10:00 am. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Dress appropriately for the weather. We’ll meet at 8:00 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. Email Chuck at chucka1999@aol.com or text (317) 767-5438 to reserve your spot on the field trip.
Masks will likely be required for most of the trip. There may be times when we can spread out and take a break from the masks.
Photo of Hooded Merganser courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Indiana’s Rare Plants
2020-11-10 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting, IN, United States
Join Roger Hedge for an online program about Indiana’s rare plants. From oak savannas, prairies, dunes, and natural lakes of northern Indiana, to southern Indiana’s forested hills, glades, barrens, and cypress swamps, our state has a rich biodiversity. These and other Indiana natural communities support a spectacular array of plant and animal species, including nearly 450 vascular plants that are considered endangered or threatened in the state. Many of these species occur on dedicated state nature preserves and other public lands.
The Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center in the Division of Nature Preserves, Department of Natural Resources, tracks and monitors these rare species and high-quality natural communities. Roger Hedge is an ecologist and botanist with the data center. His primary duties include searching for and monitoring these natural features. Enjoy an armchair tour of some of Indiana’s finest natural areas and the rare species they support.
This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 100. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indianas-rare-plants-tickets-123747228291. Once we are close to the program date, you will receive an email with an invite to a Zoom meeting.

Photo: Roger Hedge and Scott Namestnik, Indiana Natural Heritage Data biologists, monitoring rare plants at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Indiana.
Photo credit: Joe Robb

Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski
2020-11-14 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Jasper-Pulaski FWA Headqaurters, 5822 Fish & Wildlife Lane, Medaryville, IN, 47957, United States
Join ABAS Field Trip Chair, Chuck Anderson, for a trip to Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). This will be a great opportunity to view thousands of Sandhill Cranes as they congregate in Goose Pasture before returning to the roosting marshes. There’s always a possibility of spotting a Whooping Crane among the Sandhills.
We’ll meet at 4:00 pm at the Sandhill Crane Observation Platform parking lot located on County Rd 1650W, 1 mile past the park’s headquarters entrance. Follow the very visible signage. Bring binoculars and spotting scope, if you have one. This will also be a great opportunity to photograph the birds in flight as they pass over the viewing platform.
Dress appropriately for the weather. Outhouses are available near the viewing platform.
There is no fee for the trip. However, it is limited to 10 participants, and registration is required. Email Chuck at chucka1999@aol.com or text (317) 767-5438 to reserve your spot on the field trip.
Masks will likely be required during most of the viewing as this is a very popular location for observing the cranes.
Photo is courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Fall Birding at Goose Pond (Full)
2020-11-22 12:00 - 20:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Goose Pond FWA Visitor Center, 13540 West County Road 400 South, Linton, IN, 47441, United States
Join accomplished birders Whitney and Jonathan Yoerger for a late afternoon 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.
Meet at the Goose Pond Visitor’s Center parking lot at 3:00 pm.
There is no fee for the field trip and its open to the public.
The is a limit of 10 participants and registration is required. Email Whitney at whitney.yoerger@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Goose Pond is a popular birding location and we expect registration to fill quickly.
The majority of the field trip will be by car with multiple stops to get out to view birds. As always, bring your binoculars and spotting scope if you have one.
Masks will be required when birding in close proximity to others.
Photo is courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Newfields Bird Hike
2020-12-05 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Virginia B Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields, 1550 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46208, United States
ABAS is excited to partner with The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields for bird hikes on this beautiful property along the White River and Central Canal. The hikes will be led by ABAS President Rob Ripma.
Meet at Lake Terrace in the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres. There is free parking at the loop just ¼ mile west of the 38th Street entrance to Newfields. The loop parking is closer to the hike start and the address given for this event is approximate. You’ll need to be heading west on 38th Street to enter the loop parking area. Take the White River Pkwy East exit. Once in the parking area, walk north through the entrance down a very short trail to Lake Terrace. Alternatively, you can park in the main Newfield parking lots and walk down to the starting point.
The hike is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by emailing us at info@birdallianceofcentralindiana.org.
Join us as we explore the nesting species of this wonderful property.

About Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres
On, no surprise, one hundred acres along the west side of Newfields, just east of White River, you’ll find Fairbanks Park. Explore woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and the shoreline of a 35-acre lake. It’s one of the largest museum art parks in the country, and unlike most, continues to commission temporary, site-responsive artworks.
As a former farm and later gravel quarry, Fairbanks Park has a history of disturbance that has resulted in a mix of early successional woodlands, some mature woodlands, wetlands, and a lake. This habitat diversity has created a property with the ability to host niche species of several different habitat types. Newfields strives to maintain that habitat diversity by invasive species removal and planting of Indiana native plant species in all areas of the Park.
Recent additions include a nesting platform built to attract birds of prey, a wild grass labyrinth, and a variety of bird feeding and viewing stations.

Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise
2020-12-08 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting, IN, United States
Join ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey through the incredible country of Guatemala. Not only is Guatemala a birder’s paradise with species such as Pink-headed Warbler and Horned Guan, it’s also one of the best countries in Central America to experience the ancient Mayan culture. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua to the ancient Tikal ruins, there are numerous fascinating cultural and historic sites to see. Combine that with a wonderful diversity of birds, and Guatemala is a country that you don’t want to miss!
This will be an online program using Zoom. Participants will register using Eventbrite and there will be a limit of 90. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guatemala-a-birders-paradise-tickets-123749555251. Once we are close to the program date, you will receive an email with an invite to a Zoom meeting.

Photo courtesy of Rob Ripma.

4th Greenfield Birders CBC
2020-12-19 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Online, IN, United States
The Greenfield Birders will be holding a Christmas Bird Count on December 19. All participants are encouraged to watch their feeders and bird at their favorite local park.
There will not be a formalized meeting before or after the count. To submit your sightings and for more information, please contact Adam Wilson at nikonbirdhunter@gmail.com.
