Every fall, Indiana’s woodlands become a secret highway for one of North America’s most elusive raptors, the Northern Saw-whet Owl. At barely the size of a soda can, this fierce little owl silently migrates under cover of night, revealing itself only to those who know where (and how) to look.
Indiana Audubon’s Project Owlnet brings together science, conservation, and community to uncover the mysteries of this tiny predator’s journey. Operating from two long-term banding stations at the Indiana Dunes and Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, our team tracks and studies saw-whet migration across the region. Using standardized methods aligned with the national Project Owlnet network, we contribute critical data to better understand population trends, migration timing, and long-term shifts linked to climate and habitat change.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are common, but not commonly seen. Their secretive nature makes them difficult to track through traditional surveys like the Breeding Bird Survey or Christmas Bird Count. As a result, they often go unnoticed in conservation planning, despite their sensitivity to habitat shifts and forest fragmentation. In Indiana, our research focuses on fall migration, with some emerging work on spring movement. Recent weather-driven fluctuations and increasing MOTUS tower detections hint that we still have a lot to learn. That’s where Project Owlnet comes in.
With over a decade of migration data, hundreds of owls banded, and cutting-edge MOTUS tracking, Project Owlnet is helping us understand how these elusive birds move, where they go, and why it matters for forest conservation across the region.
Events
Saw-Whets & S’Mores: Public Banding Nights
Each fall, we invite the public to witness owl research up close at our two banding stations: Indiana Dunes and Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary. During these special evenings, guests enjoy s’mores around the campfire, learn about owl migration, and watch as our researchers safely capture, band, and release Northern Saw-whet Owls. It’s an unforgettable look at science in action.
Tickets for the 2025 Saw-Whets & S’Mores events are now available. Select the location you plan to visit for more information and to purchase your tickets: Indiana Dunes or Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary.
All-Access Field Nights: Behind the Scenes
Want to go beyond the campfire? Join our research team for a special All-Access Field Night at the Indiana Dunes Project Owlnet station. This small-group experience puts you inside the banding operation—checking nets, recording data, and getting an up-close look at one of Indiana’s most fascinating nocturnal migrants.
As a participant, you’ll meet in advance for a briefing and gear handout (we provide headlamps and supplies). The evening may stretch past 11 PM, and owl captures can’t be guaranteed—but the chance to be part of this unique science experience is worth the wait.
These nights are separate from public demos and require a donation to support field operations.
Interested in joining us in 2025? Get more details and tickets.
Get Involved
Volunteer with the Owls
Project Owlnet relies on a small army of dedicated volunteers to make each migration season a success. From checking mist nets to recording data in the dark, volunteers are the heartbeat of our field research.
- Volunteers must be available a minimum of 2-3 nights per week, with open availability between October 1 and November 20 each year.
- Volunteers often work late, including weekends that may extend past 12 am.
- We accept applications from mid-August to mid-September each year.
If you’re ready to get your hands (and boots) dirty in the name of conservation, visit our Volunteer Interest Form Here.
Adopt an Owl
Support our research and take home a story. When you symbolically adopt a newly banded Northern Saw-whet Owl, you’ll receive a certificate with its unique band number, photo, age, sex, and banding date. If that owl is ever recaptured elsewhere, we’ll let you know where its journey continues.
You can also choose to adopt Aurora, a non-releasable saw-whet owl with a special connection to Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary. Your adoption helps support both Project Owlnet and her care at Humane Indiana Wildlife.
Adopt a saw-whet owl and support real field research.
Sponsor Our Work
Sponsors play a vital role in keeping Project Owlnet flying. Your support directly funds:
- Banding supplies and tracking equipment.
- community engagement and field training.
- MOTUS tower operation and maintenance.
- Ambassador bird care and feeding.
Interested in becoming a program sponsor? Contact us here.
2025 Project Owlnet Sponsors ($1000+ financial or in-kind support)
Past Supporters
Cleveland Cliffs Foundation
Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society
Efroymson Family Foundation
Friends of Indiana Dunes
Green Backyard
Indiana Dunes Tourism
Indiana Dunes National Park
Shirley Heinze Land Trust
