Did you know Indiana is home to more than 300 bird species?
With everything from forests to dunes to wetlands, the diverse topography of our state is hospitable to many feathered friends that you can see flying near you. Here’s how you can embark on or enhance your birding journey.
Birdwatchers of a feather flock together
- Join the Amos Butler Audubon Society to join almost-daily bird hikes in favorite local spots like Fort Harrison State Park and Holliday Park. The group also embarks on small group field trips every few weeks, led by experienced birders, and organizes other events like invasive plant cleanups.
- To travel the rest of Indiana — or as far as Alaska — you can also join the Indiana Audubon Society. Pro tip: If you have a young birder at home, thsis group hosts free monthly meetups for kids at Eagle Creek Park.
Learn the lore
- Learn about ~100 birds, their calls, and their migration patterns in Eagle Creek Park’s Ornithology Center, then check out the map of the park’s best birding trails.
- Download a free birding app, so you can start watching during those morning dog poop walks. We recommend Merlin Bird ID or eBird.
Eagle Creek Park’s Lily Lake is a great spot for a picnic when you’re ready for a break.
Photo via @freezeframe56
Peep from these perfect perches
- It’s all in the name — Eagle Creek Park is an “Important Bird Area” with hundreds of birds frequenting or living in its woods, including bald eagles.
- As a working wetland, Pogue’s Run Art and Nature Park is popular for sightings of egrets, herons, and other water-loving birds.
- With 188 acres of forest, prairies, and creek banks to explore, Southeastway Park is a must-see destination — it’s also praised for its peacefulness.
What other birding spots, tips, or groups flew over our head? Let us know.
