On Saturday, Oct. 12, Indiana Audubon and Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA) invite you to join a statewide celebration of birding and conservation. For the third consecutive year, we’re partnering to bring you the October Big Day Hikes at 18 unique locations across Indiana, showcasing the state’s incredible range of habitats and biodiverse hotspots.
Part of a Global Movement
October Big Day is a global event that unites people worldwide in a shared passion for birds, sparking a movement to observe, celebrate, and protect our feathered friends. Founded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this 24-hour event challenges bird enthusiasts to spot as many species as possible, generating vital data on bird migration and inspiring a deeper appreciation for both resident and migratory species.
Choose Your Birding Location
The following birding hikes will be led by experienced guides (to be announced soon) and will start at 9 a.m. local time, with some locations in Central Time and the majority in Eastern Time:
- Ambler Flatwoods (Michigan City) | Guide: Cookie Ferguson
- Atherton Island Natural Area (Clinton) | Guide: Marty Jones
- Betley Woods (Trafalgar) | Guide: Mike Clay
- Clear Lake Nature Preserve & Brennan Woods (Clear Lake) | Guide: TBD
- Dutro-Ernst Woods (Muncie) | Guide: Rosemarie Jeffery
- Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve (Fort Wayne) | Guide: TBD
- Kokiwanee Nature Preserve (Lagro) | Guide: April Raver
- LC Nature Park (Fort Wayne) | Guide: TBD
- Lydick Bog (South Bend) | Guide: Evie Kirkwood & Jim Spier
- Meadowbrook Nature Preserve (Valparaiso) | Guide: David Rupp
- Mulvey Pond (West Lafayette) | Guide: TBD
- Oxbow Nature Conservancy (Lawrenceburg) | Guide: Ann Oliver
- Robinson Ladder Cave Preserve (Milltown) | Guide: Jeff Sells
- Sargent Road Nature Park (Indianapolis) | Guide: Aidan Rominger
- Seidner Dune and Swale Nature Preserve (Hammond) | Guide: Matt Kalwasinski
- Three Forks Preserve (Carmel) | Guide: Brian Cunningham
- Touch the Earth Natural Area (Columbus) | Guide: Wesley Homoya
- Wing Haven Nature Preserve (Angola) | Guide: Jan McGowan
By participating in the October Big Day Hikes with ILPA, you’ll help document the bird species present at these critical conservation areas, supporting the important work of ACRES Land Trust, Central Indiana Land Trust, Clear Lake Conservancy, Indiana Karst Conservancy, LC Nature Park, Little River Wetlands Project, Mud Creek Conservancy, Ouabache Land Conservancy, Oxbow, Inc., Red-tail Land Conservancy, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Sycamore Land Trust, and Three Forks Preserve.
Registration
Registration for Indiana Audubon’s October Big Day Hikes with ILPA is open and required for this free event, as space is limited to ensure a personalized and engaging experience for each participant. By keeping our group sizes manageable, we can guarantee that our expert guides can provide the best possible experience for all.
To register, go to obd2024.eventbrite.com. We can’t wait to see you on the trails!
