Cool Creek Beginning Bird Hike
2026-03-01 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30, 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 (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
2026-03-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-08 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-29 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.

Strawtown Koteewi Park - Beginning Bird Hikes
2026-03-04 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!

Robey Park Woodcock Walk
2026-03-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Robey Park, 8700 W 30th St, Clermont, IN, 46234, 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: 6:15pm
Location: Robey Park, 8700 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46234
Notes: This event is led by Robin Janson and hosted by Friends of Robey Park Inc. and ABAS. Participants should meet at the basketball court. Wear boots as areas can be muddy. Check facebook.com/robeypark for event updates.

West Park Woodcock Walk
2026-03-07 18:30 - 20:00 | West Park, 2700 W 116th St, Carmel, IN, 46032, 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: 6:30pm
Location: West Park, 2700 W. 116th St., Carmel, IN 46032
Notes: This event is led by Kathy Broshous and Julie Jenson, and participants should meet at Silo 1.

Shari McCollough, caretaker of the Lye Creek Prairie Burn
2026-03-10 19:30 - 20:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, United States
Join Shari McCollough, owner and caretaker of the Lye Creek Prairie Burn nestled in northeastern Montgomery County, for a presentation on this remarkable 83-acre sanctuary which serves as a haven for both migratory and nesting birds. This rich tapestry of wetlands and prairie grasses is an ideal stopover for weary travelers, where birds can forage, preen, bathe, and find a much-needed respite before continuing their arduous journeys. Since its establishment in 2008, this thriving habitat has welcomed an impressive 240 documented bird species. Among these winged visitors, we’ve had some amazing rarities such as Yellow Rail, Cinnamon Teal, and, most recently, two Eurasian Tree Sparrows. Each day at Lye Creek Prairie Burn unfolds like a captivating chapter in nature’s story, where the beauty of flight and the symphony of singing birds create an unforgettable experience for all who venture here.

Daubenspeck Community Nature Park Woodcock Walk
2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:00 | Daubenspeck Nature Park, 8900 Ditch Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, 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: 7:30pm
Location: Daubenspeck Community Nature Park, 8900 Ditch Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46260
Notes: This event will be led by Brian Cunningham. Participants will meet in the parking lot.

Holliday Park Bird Hike
2026-03-17 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.
