Bird Alliance of Central Indiana

Canceled – Holliday Park Bird Hike
2020-03-17 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!

Canceled – Eagle Creek – Bird Hikes
2020-03-15 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 at 9:00 am at the Ornithology Center.
This event is free, though a gate fee to Eagle Creek Park applies.

Woodcock Walk - Carmel West Park
2020-03-14 19:30 - 21:00 | West Park, 2700 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, 46032, United States
Join Chuck Anderson, ABAS Field Trip Chair, for a trip to West Park in Carmel. Listen for the “peenting” sounds of a male woodcock as it attempts to court a female during the mating season. Watch the male perform an aerial display and listen to the sound of its twittering wings as it tries to attract a female.
We’ll be stationary with little walking required. Dress appropriately for the weather. We’ll meet at 7:30 pm in the West Park parking lot, 2700 West 116th Street in Carmel, just west of Towne Road.
Registration is not required. Text Chuck at (317) 767-5438 if you have any questions.

Beers with Birders
2020-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Field Brewing, 303 East Main Street, Westfield, IN, 46074, United States
Join the ABAS for an evening at Field Brewing in Westfield. We will meet from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to collectively share our birding experiences and adventures at this informal gathering. This event is open to the public. Please email info@birdallianceofcentralindiana.org if you plan to join us so we can be aware of how many will be attending.

Canceled – Bird Walks in the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab
2020-03-11 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, and the hike will be led by one of the bird experts at Marian. The only things that are necessary are binoculars and a little bit of patience!
We will meet at the St. Francis statue just west of the Allison Mansion on the Marian campus at 8:00 am every Wednesday starting March 11 and ending April 29. Bring water to drink and wear comfortable shoes. No reservation is required. Contact David Benson, dbenson@marian.edu, with questions.

A Season on the Wind – Spring Migration through the Midwest
2020-03-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2020-03-09 19:30 - 21:00 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Every spring, billions of birds go sweeping northward across North America. This vast parade of small migrants was the subject of Kenn Kaufman’s book A Season on the Wind, published in April 2019. Although the book focused on the concentrations of migratory birds in the Magee Marsh area of northern Ohio, in this program Kenn will talk about larger patterns of spring bird movements throughout the Midwest, including central Indiana.

Eagle Creek - Bird Hikes
2020-03-08 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-03-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-02-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-02-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-02-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-02-02 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-01-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2020-01-19 09:00 - 11:00 and 4 more dates | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States

Holliday Park Bird Hike
2020-02-18 08:30 - 10:00, 2020-01-21 08:30 - 10:00, 2019-12-17 08:30 - 10:00 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States

The Secret Love Life of Birds
2020-02-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Deception? Fidelity? Promiscuity? These words are not typically associated with the mating behavior of birds. But the amorous avian world is much more complex than our naturalist forefathers would have ever believed. Join Team Schaust, father and son, as they share research on the pair-bonding strategy of birds through some fascinating facts and humorous analogies to our own crazy courtship behaviors.
Will Schaust has always had a love of the outdoors. He grew up camping with his family and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation. After working at McCormick’s Creek State Park for four years, he went to Eagle Creek Park where he is now the Ornithology Center Manager. This allows Will to continue his study into the wonderful world of birds.
As Chief Naturalist for Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. (WBU), John Schaust has spent the past 15 years supporting over 300 WBU stores by helping their customers be active backyard birdwatchers and thoughtful stewards of nature. Prior to joining WBU in 2004, John spent 26 years as an Interpretive Naturalist with various federal, state, and local park agencies. He is an avid birder and has been a licensed bird bander for over 30 years.

Winter Lakefront Field Trip
2020-02-08 06:30 - 18:00 | Meet at Menards in Lebanon, 402 Sam Ralston Rd, Lebanon, IN, 46052, United States
Join birders extraordinaire Lisa and Randy Vanderbilt as they lead you in search of wintering gulls, waterfowl and any vagrants that may be in the area at the Indiana Lake Michigan lakeshore. The event will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020. We will meet at the Menards off I65 exit #140 in Lebanon at 6:30 am in the SE corner of the parking lot and caravan/carpool to the lakefront. We will spend the morning and early afternoon visiting various sites around the Indiana lakeshore. Little time will be spent hiking, though some hiking terrain would be considered moderate to rugged. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions, Most of the time will be spent traveling to as many sites as possible to scan the lake. Participants can expect to return to Indianapolis around 6:00 pm. There will be a break for lunch in the Gary/Chesterton area. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required but appreciated. Please text Chuck Anderson at 317-767-5438 or email chucka1999@aol.com to confirm participation or to ask any questions.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Bird Photography Walk at Eagle Creek
2020-02-01 09:00 - 10:30, 2019-12-20 09:00 - 10:30 | Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, 6515 Delong Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, United States
Join Amy Hodson on a walk at Eagle Creek Park to photograph birds. All levels of photography are welcome, especially beginners! Don’t have camera gear quite yet, but still want to learn? This will be a great opportunity to learn about the basics of bird photography.
The group will meet at the Ornithology Center to practice shooting at the feeders. We will then head into the park to see what migrants and resident birds we can find!
Registration is required. Please RSVP for this event by emailing info@birdallianceofcentralindiana.org. Although there is no fee for this walk, park entrance fees apply.
Photo courtesy of Amy Hodson.

The Best of Birding in Central America – Which Country is Right for You?
2020-01-14 19:30 - 21:00 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Join ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he explains what factors you should consider when deciding which country in Central America you want to visit. From birding and experiencing the culture of Guatemala to discovering the remote and exciting Darién province in Panama, Rob will help you explore all the best birding options in this incredible region!

Celery Bog Nature Area Field Trip
2020-01-11 08:00 - 11:00 | Celery Bog Nature Area, 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, United States
Join our new ABAS Field Trip Chair, Chuck Anderson, for a field trip to Celery Bog Nature Area near West Lafayette. This will be a great opportunity to view waterfowl and year-round resident birds. Target birds are 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 at the Marathon gas station located at the I65 exit #175 Lafayette/Delphi and caravan from there.
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.
Photo of Hooded Merganser courtesy of Chuck Anderson.

Christmas Bird Count for Kids
2020-01-03 08:30 - 12:00 | Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech Street, Zionsville, IN, 46077, United States
Whether your child is curious about the natural world, loves to go birding or has never birded before, ABAS volunteers will help your child discover birding and might light within them the curiosity for nature. This workshop is great for scouts working on badges. The free event will include a short lesson on the basics of birding; bird watching out on the trails and inside at the feeder station windows; learning how to collect data; followed by snacks and an awards ceremony. Bring binoculars or field guides if you have them. Dress for cold weather and hiking.
This event is for kids ages 5 to 15 years old with adults. Registration is required as space is limited. Register by emailing naturecenter@zionsville-in.gov.

Hamilton Co CBC
2019-12-28 08:00 - 13:00 | Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000-1 East 151st St, Carmel, IN, 46033, United States
Celebrate the holidays by helping the National Audubon Society conduct the 119th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join other bird-watchers for a morning of hiking and birding. Lunch for participants will be provided by the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department at the Cool Creek Nature Center. Registration is required. To register or receive more details, call the Cool Creek Nature Center at 317-774-2500, or email cool.naturecenter@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
Meet at the Cool Creek Nature Center or go directly to your assigned area.
