Photo: Gillian Martin kneels by a lakeshore wearing an orange knit hat and plaid shirt, smiling beside her speckled dog, Irwin, on a cloudy day. Courtesy of Gillian Martin.
BY GILLIAN MARTIN
Tell us a little about yourself. Family? Where do you live and work?
My family moved from Maryland to the Fort Wayne area when I was in elementary school. After earning my degree in Wildlife Biology at Ball State University, I was fortunate to live and work in many beautiful places like New Jersey and Oregon, but I returned to northeast Indiana in 2024 to find some stability and a full-time job. My dog, Irwin, is my loyal travel companion.
I work as a district wildlife biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife. I provide technical assistance to private landowners in northeast Indiana, which means I help implement habitat management and restoration plans, distribute guidance on nuisance or diseased wildlife, and answer general wildlife questions.
What got you interested in birds and birding?
Some of my earliest birding memories are with my late grandmother. She lived at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Maryland and would often take us to the Conowingo Dam to watch Bald Eagles, or drive slowly through Susquehanna State Park with the windows down, pointing out different bird songs. I also spent a lot of time on the Chesapeake Bay, feeding ducks or watching gulls and Osprey. My grandma had one of those handheld, battery-operated “BirdSong Identiflyers” that I was fascinated by.
In high school, I realized many of those memories had stuck with me, and identifying different birds came easily. By college, through my wildlife degree program, I naturally started volunteering at the bird banding station and getting connected to the birding community.
Is there a bird you are quietly obsessed with seeing this year? What sparked that and where might you look?
My recent work with land conservation programs has made me more passionate about grassland species, so I would love to see more of them, like Henslow’s Sparrow, Bobolink, and Northern Bobwhite, in northeast Indiana. My work allows me to visit some well-managed private properties that might not otherwise be accessible, so I always keep an eye out for anything interesting.
I am also obsessed with the allure of secretive marsh birds, and I think seeing or hearing a Black Rail would rank in the top 10 life experiences for me. Luckily, I am a night owl and would not mind spending a couple of nights perusing the marsh for a glimpse.
Which Indiana birding spot do you return to again and again, and why? Is there a place outside the state that feels just as magnetic?
I grew up near Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve in southwest Fort Wayne and frequently find myself returning. I am captivated by the region’s history and the historic wetlands carved by glacial torrents. A lot of work has gone into converting old, soggy fields into a thriving wetland.
When I am in southern Indiana, I often return to the Bartley Ridge and Lucas Hollow area of Yellowwood State Forest, where I worked my first field job chasing Cerulean Warblers. Outside of Indiana, I love visiting Idaho’s Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area to watch raptors. On the other side of the country, I enjoy coastal marshes like E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which has a great auto loop.
When did you become an Indiana Audubon (IAS) member, and which benefits or programs have helped you stay connected?
I joined IAS in 2024, though it feels like I was connected much earlier through my involvement in bird research around the state. I appreciate the consistent work IAS does to provide valuable events and workshops for conservationists at all levels. I value the connections IAS fosters among professionals, universities, and nonprofits, linking them through research projects like Chasing Melody.
Recently, I have been involved with Echoes of the Night Sky and have found it to be a fun, albeit somewhat challenging, project. It has taught me transferable skills and connects to the network of nocturnal flight call stations around the country. This year, I hope to explore more of the Indiana Birding Trail and check off a few boxes on the Checklist Challenge.
Enjoy getting to know our members? Membership goes beyond staying informed. Annual dues directly support birds across Indiana, funding our statewide conservation, education, and research efforts. Become a member at indianaaudubon.org/membership.
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