Events and Field Trips

Upcoming Programs

Field Trips (Click here to see a list of birds from each of our previous field trips)
Field trips are open to all; we welcome beginners!  Things to keep in mind:

--Bring a picnic lunch for longer trips; pack water and snacks for all trips
--Arrive a few minutes early; we leave on time!
--We carpool for out-of-town trips; sharing gas expenses is appreciated; if you're one of the drivers, arrive with a full tank; extra drivers may be needed!
--We can meet people at our destination or on the way if arranged in advance
--Return times are estimates and are not guaranteed; you can return early if you drive yourself
--Dress for the weather; waterproof shoes or boots are often needed; be prepared for mosquitoes; dress in layers - bring warm clothes and prepare for cold winds especially along shorelines.
--For further information, contact the relevant trip leader or email Ed Powers at zzedpowers@aol.com

The list of birds that we spotted on some of the past field trips are available (click here to see the past field trips). 

Spring Field Trips 2022

First Saturday of every month at Franke Park. Meet at 10:00 AM at the BMX parking lot; finish at noon. Leader: Greg Majewski

Sat Mar 12 Pigeon River FWA; Leave at 8:00 AM from north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69),or meet us at FWA Hq, about 1/2 mile east of Mongo at 9:00 AM. Waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, songbirds, maybe owls. Return around 5:00 PM. Leaders: John Winebrenner, Sam Plew.

Sun Mar 13 Hurshtown Reservoir. Meet at the reservoir, 16000 Roth Rd, 1 mi S of SR 1 (1.5 mi N of Grabill Rd) at 3 PM. Loons, grebes, ducks, gulls, maybe Snow Buntings. We circle the reservoir by car, stopping occasionally to get out and scope the water. Finish by 5:00 PM. Leader: Ed Powers.

Sat Mar 19 Kankakee FWA; meet at 8:00 AM EDT at north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69). Waterfowl (up to five goose species possible), songbirds. Travel mostly by car. Return around 5 PM. Leaders: Dave Reichlinger, Ed Powers.

Sat Mar 26 Eagle Marsh. Meet at 6:00 PM at the BSA Scout parking lot at the end of Olde Canal Place (opposite Lutheran Hospital campus). Shorebirds, herons, swallows, etc. Woodcocks should be displaying at dusk. Up to two miles on flat trails; boots or waterproof shoes recommended. Finish by 8:30. Leader: David Ward.

Sun Mar 27 Hurshtown Reservoir. Details same as Mar 13.

Sat Apr 2 Salamonie Lake; meet at 7:30 AM from northeast corner of Rural King parking lot, Village at Coventry, US 24 just west of I-69, or meet us at 8:00 AM at Forks of the Wabash, southwest corner of US 24 and IN 9, Huntington. Waterfowl, woodpeckers, songbirds. Half birding by car, but up to four miles on foot; some hills, may be muddy spots. Return around 5:00 PM. Leaders: Andrew Wolfe, John Winebrenner.

Sat Apr 9 LC Nature Park, 9744 Aboite Rd (1/4 mile south of Aboite community). Meet at 8:30 AM at the barn; there is a large sign at the entrance. Woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, including migrant warblers. Also introduced bison and elk. Finish by noon. The park has a $5 admission fee; participants will be asked to sign a waiver. Leaders: George Manning, Ed Powers.

Sat Apr 16 Fox Island County Park; meet at the Vera Dulin Building parking lot at Fox Island, 7324 Yohne Rd., at 8:00 AM; Woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, including migrant warblers. Three or four miles on easy trails; may be some wet spots. Finish by noon. Leader: Eric Helfrich. Park entrance fee of $2 payable at self-serve post just inside gate or at the Nature Center.

Sat Apr 23 Chain O’ Lakes State Park; meet at 7:30 AM at north end of Meijer parking lot, 6309 Lima Rd (north of I-69), or at the Youth Campground at Chain O’ Lakes at 8:15. Hawks, woodpeckers, migrant songbirds. Up to five miles on mostly flat trails; may be some wet spots. Return about 4:00 PM. Leader: John Winebrenner.

Sat May 7 Salamonie Lake; meet at 7:30 AM from northeast corner of Rural King parking lot, Village at Coventry, US 24 just west of I-69, or meet us at 8:00 AM at Forks of the Wabash, southwest corner of US 24 and IN 9, Huntington. Waterfowl, woodpeckers, songbirds. Half birding by car, but up to four miles on foot; some hills, may be muddy spots. Return around 5:00 PM. Leader: Andrew Wolfe.

Sat May 14 Fox Island County Park; meet at the Vera Dulin Building parking lot at Fox Island, 7324 Yohne Rd., at 8:00 AM. Finish by noon. Leaders: Lorenzo Kleine. Entrance fee of $2 payable at self-serve post just inside gate or at the Nature Center.

Sat May 21 Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio; meet at 6:30 AM from the southeast side of the Meijer lot on Maysville Rd. just W of I-469 at IN 37. Waterfowl, herons, shorebirds, warblers and other songbirds. Return around 6-7 PM. Leaders: Stephanie Wagner, Margit Codispoti.

Sat May 28 Willow Slough FWA/Kankakee Sands; leave at 6:30 AM from Kroger’s, northwest side of jct. IN 14 west and Scott Rd. Grassland birds and others, some at eastern extreme of their ranges. Return about 7 PM. Leaders: Dave Reichlinger, Ed Powers.

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Maps. Some are available on site; for online sources: 
Eagle Marsh: lrwp.org. Click Visit, Eagle Marsh, Trail Map.
Franke Park: fortwayneparks.org. Click Trails, Trail Maps, scroll down to Map of Franke Park Trails.
Fox Island, Payton: allencountyparks.org. Fly over Parks, click on name of park, scroll down, click on Click here for trail map.
Salamonie Lake; Chain o’ Lakes and Pokagon SP: in.gov/dnr. Click Places To Go, State Parks & Lakes, Maps.
Pigeon River, Tri-County, Pisgah, and Jasper-Pulaski FWA: in.gov/dnr. Click Places To Go, Fish &Wildlife Areas, scroll down; under Properties, click Fish & Wildlife Areas, click on the property.
ACRES properties: acreslandtrust.org. Click on Find a Preserve, scroll down to the preserve, click on Preserve Guide Download
Limberlost: limberlost.weebly.com. Fly over Resources, click on Maps.