Description

We're sorry, but online registration is not allowed for this activity. Please contact us during regular business hours for registration information.

Join us for the 9th Annual Eagle Creek Park Birding Festival! Get ready for a weekend of celebrating all the birding opportunities Eagle Creek Park has to offer during the height of migration season. We will offer FREE guided hikes, raptor programs, crafts, workshops, and more. No birding experience required! For the free guided hikes and activities, park admission is $6 for in county residents and $7 if you live out of Marion County. All "festival" activities are at the Ornithology Center (6515 Delong Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46278) during building open hours, but other hikes and adventures will be throughout the park at other specific times.
SATURDAY, MAY 2nd Ornithology Center open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Crafts, coloring, scavenger hunts, and interactive tables will be set up at the Ornithology Center for all ages! Visit the raptor ambassadors, try the Migration Obstacle Course (ages 6-12), learn about the birds that visit the feeders, and explore our exhibits. Guests such as the Amos Butler Audubon Society & Bird Safe Indy, Indiana Audubon, International Crane Foundation, Feather Friendly/Renewal by Anderson, Go Ape, and other Eagle Creek Park Partners will have booths as well, moved indoors if it’s raining.
8:00 – 9:30 am Warbler Watch *Location: Marina Join Aidan at the Marina for an early morning warbler watch! This is a fantastic opportunity to observe and hear multiple migrant warbler species. We will plan to meet in the parking lot and will be birding along the road leading to the marina and the peninsula for migrant warbler flocks. Bring your own binoculars if you have them! If not, we will have a limited supply.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Open Water Birding *Location: Earth Discovery Center Pre-registration required at indyparks.org - Canoe Rental #36830 or Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB) #36829Get ready for an open water birding extravaganza on Eagle Creek Reservoir. This event will focus on enjoying, finding, and identifying birds from a canoe or kayak. Participants can rent equipment ($25) or bring their own ($15). Binoculars provided if you do not bring your own. Find more information and register at indyparks.org.
10:00 – 11:00 am Young Birders Outing Location: Ornithology Center Calling young birders (and the people who drive them) to Eagle Creek Park for a monthly, low-key morning of birding and bird-nerdery. Indiana Audubon, in partnership with Eagle Creek Park's Ornithology Center, is launching a first-Saturday Young Birders Outing series, running April through October. Meet at 10:00 am outside the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center for a guided outing led by Sam Urquidez, Indiana Audubon's Bird Programs and Partnerships Manager. Bring binoculars if you have them; a curious pair of eyes works, too. These outings are offered through the Indiana Young Birders Network (IYBN), a program of Indiana Audubon. They are designed for young birders who want to learn more about birds and connect with others, and they're fully family-friendly. For any questions about this outing, email info@indianaaudubon.org or call 765-205-1255.
10:30 – 11:00 am Pigeon Playtime Location: Ornithology Center Come learn about our Rock Pigeon Ambassador, Albert, who is usually behind-the-scenes here at the Ornithology Center. You will get to learn about pigeons while Albert flies and explores freely around the classroom (playtime for him!). Albert may choose to land on you during the program, his trainers will be there to facilitate safety, photo-ops, and education. However, Albert does NOT like pets so direct touching will not be allowed. Inside the OC classroom, limited to the first 15 participants.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Birding by Ear Location: Ornithology Center Join Dr. Stephen Nawrocki & Aidan Rominger for a guided bird walk focusing on identifying birds by the sounds, songs, and calls they make. Trail: Ornithology Center feeders and surrounding area, mostly paved, about 0.5 miles
12:00 – 12:30 pm Meet a Falcon Location: Ornithology Center Meet one of our ambassador falcons and watch her eat her lunch! Learn about her story and the conservation status of falcons. Indoors, inside the OC classroom. Limited to the first 25 participants.
12:00 – 2:00 pm Hydrology & Birds: Coffer Dam Hike Location: Ornithology Center Hike the Coffer Dam loop around the Bird Sanctuary with dedicated, long-time, park volunteers Marty Risch & Donna McCarty. This hike will focus on the unique hydrology of the Eagle Creek ecosystem and the birds that inhabit the watershed. On this hike we'll take a tour of the lake water-surface elevation gauge, and we'll discuss the relation of water levels and streamflow and water management to the birds at the park and ecosystem health. Trail: 2 miles, largely compacted gravel, moderate difficulty, one hilly portion not accessible for strollers/mobility devices, possibly muddy/wet
12:30 – 1:30 pm Feminist Bird Club Hike Location: Ornithology Center The Indianapolis chapter of the Feminist Bird Club will meet at the Ornithology Center for a bird walk around Lilly Lake on the Red Trail. All genders, ages, and levels of experience are welcome! “Promoting inclusive, safe birding for all - especially BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks, and women" @fbc.indy Trail: 1.0 miles, easy to moderate, lots of roots, could be wet/muddy
1:00 – 1:30pm Skunk Saturdays *Location: Earth Discovery Center Get up-close and personal with our sweet and stinky skunk, Stinkerbell! Every Saturday at 1pm, Stinkerbell the skunk comes out for a public training session with one of her trainers. Ask questions, learn about skunks in Indiana and beyond, and discover how we train our animal ambassadors. This program takes place indoors in the Earth Discovery Center's main exhibit hall. The skunk will be in a pen with her trainer, and NO touching or handling by the public is permitted.
1:00 – 2:00 pm CANCELED Cranes Over Indiana CANCELED
2:00 – 2:30 pm Egg Hunt Location: Ornithology Center Join for an Egg-citing adventure! Explore the campus of the Ornithology Center for hidden, colorful eggs full of surprises and prizes! Designed for ages 3–5, accompanied with their guardians, this rainbow egg scavenger hunt will be memorable & fun!
2:00 – 3:30 pm The Living Layers of the Forest Location: Ornithology Center Join Naturalist Frank Brown to experience the layers of the forest! A massive conversation is happening all around you. The roots are signaling, the water is pulsing, and the birds are broadcasting live updates. To hear it, you have to change the way you listen. Come learn the language of the wild! This is an active, focused experience for explorers of all ages. Bring your curiosity and your stillness—we will use both to become part of the living network. Trail: TBD
2:30 – 3:00 pm Raptor Feeding Time Location: Ornithology Center Watch one of the naturalists feed several birds of prey in their enclosures. They eat quickly so don't be late!
3:30 – 4:00 pm Birds & Dinosaurs Location: Ornithology Center Join Dr. Stephen Nawrocki, University of Indianapolis Biology professor, for a lecture-style presentation about the evolutionary history of birds. He will discuss taxonomy, fossils, the evolution of flight, feathers, and more. All ages welcome! Inside the OC classroom, limited to the first 30 participants.
3:30 – 5:00 pm Birding at Eagle's Crest *Location: Eagle’s Crest Meet naturalist Aidan Rominger and expert birder Don Gorney for birding at Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve on the WEST SIDE of Eagle Creek Park. With so many diverse habitats, the Crest is a great area for birding this time of day! Meet at the Crest’s soccer field parking area to start the hike. Bring your own binoculars if you have them, if not, Aidan will have a few pairs to borrow. There is an automatic gate at the Crest that requires an Eagle Creek Park Membership Pass or credit card fee ($6) to enter. If you have already paid the entry fee on the East side of the park this day, your receipt will also work at the Crest’s automatic gate, so don’t lose it! Trail: many paved areas, length TBD
4:00 – 5:00 pm Skulls & More to Explore Location: Ornithology Center See bird skulls and avian dinosaur fossils and replicas up close, as well as other animal skulls for comparison and hands-on learning. Come any time 4-5 pm, in the OC classroom.
4:00 – 4:30 pm Eagle Trainer Chat Location: Ornithology Center Join OC Assistant Manager, Donna, for a discussion about Carson the Bald Eagle’s story, from arrival to the center in 2020 to now, and all the training milestones along the way. From outside Carson’s enclosure, we’ll give him a tasty snack (meat!) and talk about the skills he’s learned to set him up for success as an avian ambassador.
4:30 – 5:00 pm Vulture Visit Location: Ornithology Center Scavengers, such as vultures, get a bad rap, but they’re really nature’s immune system! Come visit Matilda the Turkey Vulture in her flight aviary and Beaker the Black Vulture in his new display aviary next to her and learn about how vultures are important for healthy ecosystems. Matilda has a 6’ wingspan, and she may even show us her wings in a flight demonstration!
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SUNDAY, MAY 3rd Ornithology Center open 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Crafts, coloring, scavenger hunts, and interactive tables will be set up at the Ornithology Center for all ages! Visit the raptor ambassadors, try the Migration Obstacle Course (ages 6-12), learn about the birds that visit the feeders, and explore our exhibits. Guests such as the Amos Butler Audubon Society & Bird Safe Indy, Indiana Audubon, International Crane Foundation, Feather Friendly/Renewal by Anderson, Go Ape, and other Eagle Creek Park Partners will have booths as well, moved indoors if it’s raining.
9:00 – 11:00 am Amos Butler Audubon Society Birdwalk Location: Starts at the Ornithology Center Join a group of new and experienced birders for a brisk morning bird walk! Meets every Sunday morning at 9:00 am at the Ornithology Center, led by ABAS, rain or shine. Young birders welcome! Trail: various, depending on the group size and preference
11:00 am – 12:45 pm Mindful Birding Location: Ornithology Center Pre-registration required at indyparks.org - program #38805 Mindful Birding is a nature-based wellness experience that blends mindfulness with the joy of bird observation through a slow, sensory, and immersive walk. Guided by Certified Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) Guides, Donna Riner and Michelle Morton, participants will engage their senses to connect deeply with the natural world and the birds within it. Gentle prompts will encourage mindful, intentional observation without the pressure to identify species. This 1 hour and 45-minute walk includes short-distance wandering, sitting, exploring, and opportunities for group sharing, concluding with tea and snacks. The experience covers about half a mile and costs $15 per participant. Ages 10+. Youth need to be registered along with a registered adult.
11:30 am – 1:00 pm Birding at the Skating Pond *Location: Skating Pond Join Indy birder, Nick Kiehl, and OC Naturalist, Aidan, at the Skating Pond to have a chance at seeing multiple spring migrants. This could include migrant warblers, thrushes, flycatchers and more! Meet at the Skating Pond parking area to start the hike. Bring your own binoculars if you have them! If not, you can pick up a pair to borrow before the hike at the Ornithology Center. Trail: 1 mile, easy, grass and forest, could be wet/muddy
1:00 – 1:30 pm Owls of Indiana Location: Ornithology Center Learn about the different owls that can be found in Indiana, see some owl taxidermy up close, and watch a feeding demonstration with our two Owl Ambassadors.
1:00 – 2:30 pm Lilly Lake Hike Location: Ornithology Center Join the Nawrocki family for a bird hike around Lilly Lake. We will start at the Ornithology Center, loop around Lilly Lake, and then take the less-traveled trail south of the lake along the ridge above the road with beautiful views of the reservoir. Trail: 1.5 miles, easy to moderate, lots of roots, one steep incline, could be wet/muddy
1:30 – 2:30 pm Story Time & Trot Location: Ornithology Center Join Naturalist Kristin Bingham for a story-time & trot. We will start in the OC classroom, read a story, and then take a short trot outside to explore. Designed for ages 2-6 and their caregiver, but all ages welcome.
2:00 – 3:30 pm Intro to Wildlife Track & Sign Location: Ornithology Center Pre-registration required at indyparks.org - program #38840 Join OC Assistant Manager Donna (Level II Certified Cybertracker North America) and experienced birdwatcher, Aidan Rominger, for a family-friendly introduction to finding, identifying, and interpreting wildlife track & sign. We will hike to the north end of the park from the Ornithology Center, looking for birds and evidence of wildlife, stopping to unravel wildlife mysteries along the way. No experience needed, although a small notebook, writing utensil, and measuring device may be useful for sketching/photographing what we find. Trail: 2-3 miles, easy, flat, but may be muddy/wet. Crouching/bending over to look at on-ground evidence may be difficult for those with mobility considerations.
2:30 – 3:00 pm Meet a Raptor Location: Ornithology Center Meet Freyja, the Peregrine Falcon ambassador! Learn about her and the peregrine conservation success story from her trainer and park volunteer, Donna McCarty. Outside, weather permitting.
3:00 – 3:30/3:30 – 4:00 pm Pigeon Playtime Location: Ornithology Center Come learn about our Rock Pigeon Ambassador, Albert, who is usually behind-the-scenes here at the Ornithology Center. You will get to learn about pigeons while Albert flies and explores freely around the classroom (playtime for him!). Albert may choose to land on you during the program, his trainers will be there to facilitate safety, photo-ops, and education. However, Albert does not like pets so direct touching will not be allowed. Inside the OC classroom, limited to the first 15 participants at 3:00 pm but others may be allowed to rotate in at 3:30 pm if Albert is up for a second program!
3:30 – 5:00 pm Accessible Birding: Feeder Watch Location: Ornithology Center Bird around the OC bird feeder garden with park volunteer, Mona. Indoor and outdoor (paved) areas available to learn your backyard birds, garden plants, native spring wildflowers, and more. All ages and abilities welcome. Please let us know if we can make any special accommodations for you by calling OC staff at 317-327-2473.
4:00 – 5:00 pm Birds & Blooms Location: Ornithology Center Join OC Manager Jenna & her family for a spring wildflower and bird walk. The exposed bluffs around the OC are home to shooting stars, fire pink, and other ephemerals that like living on the edge! The Beech-Maple forest also stays moist and shaded, providing a great home for ostrich fern, spring beauties, wood poppies, and more. We will also look and listen for spring migratory birds. Trail: 0.5-1 mile, easy, partly paved & gravel
4:00 – 5:00 pm Raptor Enrichment Party Location: Ornithology Center All of the birds we care for at the Ornithology Center are non-releasable due to previous permanent injuries or imprinting. Because they have to live their lives in captivity with us, we work really hard to keep their days interesting! One way we do this is by giving them “enrichment,” which usually involves treats hidden inside cardboard, paper, and anything that they can tear up. Come help us create fun toys and puzzle feeders for our raptors out of everyday recycled, bird-safe materials! We will also make tissue paper “spring flowers” to decorate their enclosures and hide treats inside, or you can take the flowers home with you. Available while supplies last starting at 4pm. Outside on the deck, weather permitting.
5:00 – 5:20 pm Enrichment Feeding Time Location: Ornithology Center After the Raptor Enrichment Party, we will put some tasty treats (raw meat, bones, fur, etc.) inside some of your enrichment creations and watch one of the naturalists give it to the birds of prey in their enclosures. Matilda the Turkey Vulture and Carson the Bald Eagle especially love tearing up enrichment!
LOCATIONS:
Ornithology Center 6515 Delong Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46278
Earth Discovery Center 5901 Delong Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46254
Skating Pond square shaped pond on Reed Rd. south of 62nd St: 39.86447N, 86.29009W
Marina7602 Walnut Point Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46254
Eagle’s Crest (WEST SIDE)7201 Fishback Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46278

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Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather!

Age Category

All Ages

Location

At the Ornithology Center and various locations throughout Eagle Creek Park

Instructor

Indy Parks Staff