Festival Guide May 14-17, 2020 - Indiana Audubon Society
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Festival Guide May 14-17, 2020
Welcome!
With its rich biodiversity, varying habitats,
and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline,
the Indiana Dunes are a hotspot for
migrant and resident birds. The
5th annual Indiana Dunes Birding
Festival celebrates the area’s
various birding habitats and
birding opportunities. Our mission
is to positively impact visitors
and residents of the Indiana
Dunes region through
conservation and
environmental
education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Birding the Dunes....................4
Planning your trip....................5
Schedule at a glance.............8
Wednesday...........................13
Thursday................................16
Friday......................................23
Saturday................................30
Sunday...................................38
2 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival Sponsors...............................46
Central Ave Beach
Festival
Lake View Beach
Dunbar Beach
Kemil Beach
Locations Porter Beach
Portage Lakefront
and Riverwalk
2 Glenwood
5 94
1
Dunes Trail
West Beach
4
1400 N
3 8 94
94
7 6
65
94
Festival Headquarters Art Workshops Location
1 Indiana Dunes Visitor Center 5 Brincka Cross Gardens
1215 N. State Road 49, Porter 427 E. Furness Rd., Michican City
2 Presentation Location
Indiana Dunes State Park 6
Birds and Brews & Saturday
Keynote Location
Nature Center Sand Creek Country Club
1600 N. 25 East,Chesterton 1001 Sand Creek Dr., Chesterton
Presentation Location Festival Host Hotels
3 Indiana Dunes National Park 7 Comfort Inn & Suites
Paul Douglas Center 1800 W. US 20, Porter
100 N. Lake St., Miller and
Springhouse Inn
Presentation Location
8 303 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter
4 Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk
1000 Riverwalk Dr., Portage
DON’T MISS RARE BIRD ALERTS
DURING THE FESTIVAL!
Sign up to receive alerts via text
by visiting bit.do/dunesbirdalert
Photo: Ryan Sanderson www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 3
Meet our Artist
Kristina Knowski is a local illustrator and
fine artist depicting primarily avifauna and
is best known for her portfolio of extinct
bird species. As a birder herself, Kristina
prefers to work from life and spends most
of her time sketching and researching
species in the field. Since graduating
Valedictorian from the American Academy
of Art in Chicago, Kristina has participated
in numerous shows nationwide and has
expanded into holding bird drawing and
painting workshops to encourage using art
to enjoy nature.
4 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
Planning Your Trip
REGISTRATION
All registrations include full access to presentations, headliners, evening
socials, Migration Marketplace, Youth and Family Birding Day, and free entry to
both the Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. Field trips,
Saturday night keynote, and workshops require an additional fee.
Registration is easy. Simply visit www.indunesbirdingfestival.com before
May 5. Priority registration for Indiana Audubon Society members runs
March 1-7.
Youth Adult
Indiana Audubon priority 4-day registration $25 $35
March 1-7
Keynote presentation and dinner $20 $27
Early bird 4-day registration $35 $45
March 8
Single day registration $15 $25
to April 4
Keynote presentation and dinner $20 $27
Regular 4-day registration $45 $55
April 5 to
Single day registration $25 $35
May 5
Keynote presentation and dinner $20 $27
Youth rates are for individuals 17 and younger. Please contact the birding
festival organizers for group rates of 10 or more. Walk-in registrations limited
to availability on days of festival.
Refund information is available on the festival website.
CONTACT US
For festival questions via phone, call: 219-928-6905
General Inbox: info@indunesbirdingfestival.com
Dunes Birds In Art: dunebirdsinart@gmail.com
Migration Marketplace: idbfmigrationmarketplace@gmail.com
facebook.com/indunesbirdingfestial or twitter.com/indunesbirdfest
Find information about hotels, dining, and more on our website:
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com
Photo: Ryan Sanderson www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 5
6 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
CONNECT
WITH
NATURE
EXPLORE.
GET OUTSIDE!
Watch birds, explore trails, and
enjoy the natural world at
Nature Conservancy preserves.
Visit nature.org/indiana
Great egret © Em’rynn Artunian/The Nature Conservancy
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 7
Thursday, May 14
Time Program Description Location
6am-4pm Exhibition Dune Birds in Art Exhibition Visitor Center
6-10am Presentation Bird Banding 101 Dunes State Park
6-10am Car Pool Lake Michigan Pelagic on the Emita II Visitor Center
6am-12pm Van Trip Dunes Big Morning Visitor Center
6:30-11am Car Pool Indiana Dunes State Park Visitor Center
6:30-11am Van Trip Lake County Wetlands Visitor Center
6:30-11am Van Trip DuPont Natural Area Visitor Center
6:30-11am Car Pool Pinhook Bog Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Cowles Bog Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Hannah and Erik Go Birding Tour Visitor Center
7-11am Van Trip Ambler Flatwoods Boreal Migrants Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours! Visitor Center
8-11am Car Pool Heron Rookery Tour Visitor Center
8-11am Car Pool Beverly Shores Birding Tour Visitor Center
8-11am Car Pool Warblers of Brincka-Cross Gardens Visitor Center
9-11:30am Car Pool National Park Ranger Bird Hikes Visitor Center
Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on
11:30am-12:30pm Presentation Visitor Center
the Brink
How Monty and Rose took Chicago by storm - A
1-2pm Presentation Piping Plovers Story Visitor Center
1-2pm Presentation The Raptors of Humane Indiana Live Douglas Center
Warblers and Beyond: Connecting the Americas
1-4pm Workshop in Migration Dunes State Park
Spotting the Unspottable: The story of the mythi-
2:30-3:30pm Presentation cal Unspotted Saw Whet Owl Visitor Center
Cloudy with a Chance of Migration: Using Radar
2:30-3:30pm Presentation to Track Birds, Bats, and Bugs Douglas Center
2-5pm Car Pool Heron Rookery in the Afternoon Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Cowles Bog in the Afternoon Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Dunes State Park Afternoon Warblers Visitor Center
3-5pm Workshop Bird Art Workshop with Kristina Knowski Brincka Cross Gardens
6-9pm Social Audubon Great Lakes Social at Bird Fest! Gelsosomo's Pizzeria
7:30-9pm Car Pool Woodcock Dance Tour Visitor Center
7:45pm-9pm Car Pool Owl Prowl Visitor Center
8-9pm Car Pool Whip-poor-will Wander Tour Visitor Center
8 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding FestivalFriday, May 15
Time Program Description Location
5-10am Car Pool Sunrise Birding at Michigan City Harbor Visitor Center
6am-4pm Exhibition Dune Birds in Art Exhibition Visitor Center
6-11am Van Trip Birding by Bus with Marc and Elaina Visitor Center
6-10am Presentation Bird Banding 101 Dunes State Park
6am-12pm Van Trip Dunes Big Morning Visitor Center
6-10am Van Trip Michiana Marsh Meander Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Van Trip Lake County Migrant Traps Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Car Pool Dunes Warbler Tour Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Car Pool Cowles Bog Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours! Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Hannah and Erik Go Birding Tour Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Ambler Flatwoods Boreal Flatwoods Migrants Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Indiana Dunes State Park Visitor Center
7:30-11am Car Pool Pinhook Bog Visitor Center
7:30-11:30am Car Pool Cowles Bog Visitor Center
7:30-11am Car Pool DuPont Natural Area Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Dunes Heron Rookery Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Beverly Shores Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Reynold's Creek Wetlands and Prairie Visitor Center
8:30-11:30am Car Pool Birding Photography Close Up! Visitor Center
8:30am-11:30am Car Pool Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve Visitor Center
9-11:30am Car Pool National Park Ranger Bird Hike Visitor Center
10am-4pm Marketplace Migration Marketplace and Vendor Show Visitor Center
10am-4pm Marketplace Audubon Great Lakes Native Plant Sale Visitor Center
11:30am-12:30pm Presentation Birds Don't Know They Are Special Visitor Center
1-4pm Workshop Basics of Waterfowl ID Workshop Dunes State Park
1-2pm Presentation Raptors Live! Visitor Center
1-2pm Presentation Duneland Herpetology: Peculiar Species Douglas Center
2:30-3:30pm Presentation The Amazing Birding in the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
2:30-3:30pm Presentation The Birds (& Animals) From Down Under Douglas Center
4-5pm Presentation Bird Photos after the Shoot: Intro to Lightroom Visitor Center
4-5pm Presentation A Rare Peek at Rails of the Midwest Douglas Center
2-5pm Car Pool Indiana Dunes State Park Afternoon Warblers Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Dunes Heron Rookery in the Afternoon Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Afternoon Shorebird Search Visitor Center
3-5pm Workshop A Bloopy Bird Art Workshop Brincka Cross Gardens
6-9pm Social Birds and Brews at Sand Creek Country Club Sand CreekSaturday, May 16
Time Program Description Location
6am-4pm Exhibition Dune Birds in Art Exhibition Visitor Center
6-10am Presentation Bird Banding 101 Dunes State Park
6-10am Big Sit Adam Sell's Big Sit at the Longshore Tower Dunes State Park
6-10am Car Pool Lake Michigan Pelagic on the Emita II Visitor Center
6-12pm Van Trip Dunes Big Morning Visitor Center
6-11am Car Pool Kankakee Sands Prairie Birding Visitor Center
6-10am Car Pool Miller Woods and Swale Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Car Pool Moraine Nature Preserve Visitor Center
6:30-11am Van Trip Potato Creek State Park Visitor Center
6:30a-11am Van Tour Bendix Woods Warblers Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours! Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Hannah and Erik Go Birding Tour Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Little Calumet River Kayak Birding Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Little Calumet River Advanced Kayak Birding Visitor Center
7-11am Van Trip Pinhook Bog Visitor Center
7:30-11am Car Pool Cowles Bog Visitor Center
7:30-11am Car Pool Calumet Birding w/ National Audubon Visitor Center
7:30-11am Van Trip Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Little Calumet River Wetlands Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Reynold’s Creek Wetlands and Prairie Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Birds and Blooms at the Heron Rookery Visitor Center
8:30-11:30am Car Pool Birding Photography in the Field Visitor Center
8:30-11:30am Car Pool Coffee Creek Bluebird Birding Visitor Center
9-11:30am Car Pool National Park Ranger Bird Hikes Visitor Center
9am-4pm Social IDBF 2018 Youth and Family Birding Day Dunes State Park
10am-4pm Marketplace Migration Marketplace and Vendor Show Visitor Center
10am-4pm Marketplace Audubon Great Lakes Native Plant Sale Visitor Center
Birding by Bus: Where Van Life
11:30am-12:30pm Presentation Visitor Center
Meets Birding
1-4pm Workshop Hawkwatching ID Workshop Douglas Center
1-2pm Presentation Raptors Live! Visitor Center
1-2:30pm Presentation The Blues in Birds Dunes State Park
When Bird Guides Get in Troubles: 8 years
2:30-3:30pm Presentation Visitor Center
of Adventures with Lifer Nature Tours
2:30-3:30pm Presentation Young Birder Visits Sax-Zim Bog in Winter Dunes State Park
2-5pm Car Pool Cowle's Bog in the Afternoon Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Dunes State Park Afternoon Warblers Visitor Center
2-5pm Car Pool Afternoon in the Heron Rookery Visitor Center
A World of Wings: Migratory Birds on a
5:30-9:30pm Keynote Sand Creek
Changing PlanetSunday, May 17
Time Program Description Location
5-10am Car Pool Sunrise Birding at Michigan City Harbor Visitor Center
6am-4pm Exhibition Dune Birds in Art Exhibition Visitor Center
6-10am Van Trip Secretive Marsh Birds of Beverly Shores Visitor Center
6-11am Van Tour Birding by Bus with Marc and Elaina Visitor Center
6-10am Big Sit Adam Sell's Big Sit at the Longshore Tower Dunes State Park
6am-12pm Van Trip Dunes Big Morning Visitor Center
6am-11am Car Pool Kankakee Sands Prairie Birding Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Van Trip Lake County Wetlands Visitor Center
6:30-10:30am Car Pool Dunes Warbler Tour Visitor Center
6:30-11am Van Tour Spicer Lake Nature Preserve Visitor Center
6:30-11am Car Pool Dunes Heron Rookery Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours! Visitor Center
7-11am Car Pool Pinhook Bog Visitor Center
7:30-11am Car Pool Warblers of Brincka-Cross Gardens Visitor Center
7:30-11:30am Car Pool Birding with the Dunes Superintendent Visitor Center
7:30-11:30am Car Pool Coffee Creek Watershed Birding Visitor Center
8:-11:30am Car Pool Cowles Bog Visitor Center
8-11am Car Pool Birding by Ear Tour Visitor Center
8-11:30am Car Pool Flora Richardson Preserve Visitor Center
8:30-11:30am Car Pool Butterflies and Birds at Miller Woods Visitor Center
9-11:30am Car Pool National Park Ranger Bird Hikes Visitor Center
10am-2pm Marketplace Migration Marketplace and Vendor Show Visitor Center
10am-2pm Marketplace Audubon Great Lakes Native Plant Sale Visitor Center
11:30am-12:30pm Presentation 3 Billion Birds Lost: A Biodiversity Crisis Visitor Center
1-2pm Presentation Owls Alive! Visitor Center
1-2pm Presentation Learning to Bird by Ear Dunes State Park
Morning Flight Madness: The Dunes
2:30-3:30pm Presentation Visitor Center
Longshore Flight Project
2:30-3:30pm Presentation Exploring eBird to the Fullest Dunes State Park
Monday 18 - Tuesday 19 Don’t miss
this specia
l
Don’t miss the new two-day post festival Kirtland’s post-festiva
l trip!
Warbler Tour! See page 43 for details.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 11Schedule 2020
Each day consists of tour options and afternoon
sessions at our various festival locations. Events
and presentations labeled “FREE” are included DON’T FORGET
with the price of general registration. Additional The Indiana
fees apply for select tours, workshops, and the Dunes are on
Saturday night keynote event. Central Time!
Please remember that information in this guide is
subject to change, and the website has the latest
information.
Beginner
Travel time Box lunch
Van tour birder
>45 min. provided
friendly
Indoor
Photography Restrooms
Carpool tour program/
ops on site
seminar
Muddy Spotting
conditions Live bird scope
possible program useful
12 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding FestivalWednesday, May 13 Don’t miss
special pre
these
-festival
trips!
Wes Homoya’s Big Day of Birding!
$48/ 6:00am – 4:00pm / Leader: Wes Homoya
It’s a birding-blitz van tour with state birding expert Wes Homoya.
Wes will navigate you through the best birding locations in the dunes to log as many
bird species as possible in a single day. The goal: over 100 species of waterfowl, raptors,
warblers, vireos, tanagers, and more! This pre-festival tour fills fast each year and is a
good chance to preview what’s to come this weekend.
Lincoln Park Birds and Beyond
$48/ 6:00am – 4:00pm / Leader: Matt Igleski
In the heart of Chicago lies one of the nation’s oldest zoos. Their diverse
wildlife collection includes several birds that this van tour will explore
behind the scenes with zookeepers from Lincoln Park. After a quick lunch,
we’ll explore the nesting night-herons and other migrating birds on the
grounds, as well as a stop or two along the way back as time allows.
The Field Museum Birds Behind the Scenes
$48/ 6:15am – 4:00pm / Leader: Kim Ehn
A limited number of participants will meet at festival headquarters
for a day-long excursion into Chicago to explore a behind-the-
scenes look at the birds of the Chicago Field Museum. We’ll explore many extinct
species (Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Carolina Parakeet, etc.) and have close-up looks at the
thousands of bird specimens in the museum’s collection. After a traditional Chicago dog
box lunch, we’ll do some birding in the nearby traps created by the city.
Birds and Bison: Kankakee Sands Behind the Scenes
$48/ 6:30am – 4:00pm / Leader: Matt Beatty
The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands is a birders and wildflower
enthusiasts paradise. More than 7,000 acres host an amazing array of
birds, plants, and animals that fill the prairie. Recent reintroduction
of bison is reinvigorating the ecosystems that support Henslow’s and
Lark Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks, Dickcissels, Northern Bobwhites, and more. TNC staff
member and birding expert Matt Beatty will guide this tour by van. After a box lunch,
we’ll explore the behind-the-scenes restoration of prairies, wetlands, and bison with the
TNC staff. Extra time will be spent exploring the rest of the property and nearby Willow
Slough Fish and Wildlife Area.
Berrien County Canopy Tower Birding
$53/ 6:30am – 4:00pm / Leader: Cookie Ferguson
Join Michiana birding expert Cookie Ferguson for an adventure to nearby
Berrien County, Michigan, where a series of new trails feature canopy
birding for eye-level warblers, orioles, and more. The group will visit the
new Galien Canopy Tower, the Sarrett Canopy Tower trail, New Buffalo
harbor, and more. Each site can produce a great diversity of migrants and occasional
rarities. A box lunch is included.
Photo: Shari McCollough www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 13Wednesday cont. Dunes Birds in Art Exhibition Opening Reception PUBLIC/ 6:00 – 8:00pm /Visitor Center Join us at festival headquarters from 6-8pm for the opening reception of the annual Dunes Birds in Art Exhibition. This exhibit features local and regional artists showcasing native bird species in a diversity of art mediums, including 2D and 3D work. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work during this special reception. The exhibit will be available to view every day of the festival. Live birds of prey from Humane Indiana Wildlife will also be present tonight. Monty and Rose: Chicago’s Endangered Plovers PUBLIC/ 7:00 – 8:00pm / Visitor Center “Monty and Rose” tells the story of a pair of endangered Piping Plovers that successfully nested at Chicago’s Montrose Beach in the summer of 2019, the first of the species to nest in Chicago in 64 years. The short, independent documentary chronicles these special birds and an unpredictable series of events including a proposed music festival that propelled the birds to national headlines. Come see this special screening on our opening night. Woodcock Sky Dance Tour $15/ 7:30 – 9:00pm / Leader: Amy Kearns The bird with many names! Whether you call it the timberdoodle, bog sucker, Labrador twister, or more simply the woodcock, its spring dance is a sight to behold. Join us for a short drive to watch the evening curtain rise on this quite punctual performer. Limited spots, so register early. Owl Prowl Tour $15 / 7:45 – 9:00pm / Leader: Matt Igleski Finding popular birds of the twilight is the goal this evening. Matt will carpool a select group to target the amazing and stealthy world of owls. Based on local observations, we’ll try to find a few species and look at the adaptations they need to survive. Limited spots, so register early. Whip-poor-will Wander Tour $15 / 8:00 – 9:00pm / Leader: Libby Keyes To find the most vociferous bird of the dunes, you need not set your alarm early. Meet Libby for a carpool tour to seek out the loud Eastern Whip-poor-wills of the dune forests. If we’re lucky, we’ll have close looks at this highly territorial forest-floor dweller. 14 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
INDIANA STATE PARKS
OVERNIGHT A
STATE PARK INN
IndianaInns.com camp.IN.gov
1-877-LODGES 1 (1-877-563-4371) 1-866-6CAMP-IN (1-866-622-6746)
OVERNIGHT A
CAMPGROUND
INDIANA STATE PARKS AND INNS
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 15Thursday, May 16 Bird Banding 101 $5 / 6:00 – 10:00am / Dunes State Park Wilson Shelter Join experienced bird bander Amy Wilms for a peek into the secret migration moving along Lake Michigan. Participants will have a chance to tour the mist-netting banding site and see bird banding up close and in person (and maybe even help release birds). Techniques of bird banding will also be discussed. Report directly to the state park Wilson Shelter. Lake Michigan Pelagic on the Emita II $39 / 6:00 – 10:00am / Leader: John Cassady We’ve partnered with Harbor Country Adventures for a large passenger cruise boat, the Emita II. We’ll take a 3-hour cruise with expert guides to seek out late migrating waterfowl such as Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Loons, as well as migrating shorebirds and land birds along the dune beaches. This tour is weather dependent - rain dates offered on Friday and Sunday. Dunes Big Morning! $30 / 6:00am – 12:00pm / Leader: Matt Igleski Here is your chance to enjoy the fast-paced birding of a Big Day, but before lunch! Speed around on a fast and furious morning to rack up a morning goal of 100 species. Our van guides will choose the best route for a variety of migrating birds each day. A box lunch is offered at the conclusion. This adventure is great for festival returnees and those looking to rack up a big list of dunes migrants and breeding birds. Indiana Dunes State Park $5 / 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Michael Topp One of the premier birding sites during the festival! The Dunes State Park is simply great migrant birding. An assortment of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and more can be found here. The Wilson Boardwalk area also plays host to Prothonotary Warblers and the back-dune savannas host many Red-headed Woodpeckers. The terrain should remain flat. Lake County Wetlands $25/ 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Matt Kalwasinski Explore the hidden wetland sites of Lake County. We’ll visit areas that can host large quantities of neo-tropic migrants and the 129th Street Marsh to look for shorebirds and waterbirds. Any remaining time will be spent looking for the Monk Parakeet colonies. This tour is led by van and includes a box lunch at the conclusion. DuPont Natural Area $25/ 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Matt Beatty The DuPont Natural Area is owned by East Chicago Gateway Partners and managed by The Nature Conservancy. It represents the dune and swale habitat of the Great Lakes and is considered globally rare. An assortment of both plants and animals have been found at this normally closed birding hotspot. The site has been known for King Rails and bitterns. This tour is led by van and includes a box lunch at the conclusion of the tour. 16 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival Photo: Shari McCollough
Pinhook Bog
$5/ 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Amy Kearns
Pinhook Bog is one of few “true” bogs in the southern Great Lakes. Among
the tamarack, blueberries, and insectivorous plants there is also unique
birding. This site has both upland forests as well as the lowland floating bog mat that
we will explore. The site is normally closed to the public, so you’ll want to pre-register
for this carpool tour that often produces Connecticut Warblers.
Cowles Bog
$5 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Annie Aguirre
Cowles Bog is a birding treasure trove and an 8,000-year-old fen. This
National Park Service site is home to the birthplace of ecology and is also
a varied habitat for a diverse set of migrating birds. The swamp edges
can host many migrating warblers, including large Northern Waterthrush
numbers. Sandhill Cranes and rails nest throughout the property. Rarities tend to be
found at this premier birding destination in the dunes.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 17Thursday cont. Hannah and Erik Go Birding $5/ 7:00 – 11:00am / Leaders: Hannah and Erik Go Birding Hannah and Erik are a husband/wife bird nerd podcast team that loves to explore, adventure, meet new people, and watch birds. Join them for a fun morning in the dunes area seeking out the peak of spring migration in the dunes in four hours of birding via carpool. All locations will be within the Indiana Dunes State and National Parks. Ambler Flatwoods Boreal Migrants $25 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Sarah Barnes The largest Shirley Heinze Land Trust property harbors a true gem of relict populations of northern plant species, which translates to a haven for many neotropical migrants heading north. It’s a great place for migrant and nesting forest birds, including thrushes, warblers, and flycatchers. It’s also a great trip for wildflower seekers. This tour is led by van and includes a box lunch at the conclusion of the tour. Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours $5 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Lifer Nature Tours As the official tour company of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, Lifer Nature Tours’ guides will highlight some of the best birding in the dunes and seek out some of the best birds to be found during the festival. This is not a trip to miss. Dunes Heron Rookery $5/ 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Randy Pals Named for the Great Blue Herons that formerly nested at this inland National Park property, the Heron Rookery is well known for its outstanding display of spring wildflowers. It is also an excellent place to find uncommon migrating songbirds such as Golden-winged Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler, but also deep-woods specialties such as Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl. Expect an array of warblers and thrushes. The trail may be muddy. Beverly Shores $5 / 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Cookie Ferguson Visit the woodlands and wetlands that make up the Beverly S hores area in pursuit of nesting and migrant species. Highlight birds may include both Pine and Prairie Warbler, Summer Tanagers, rails, and Sandhill Cranes down near the wetlands. Other woodland, marsh, wetland, and waterfowl species can be expected. Warblers of Brincka-Cross Gardens $5 / 8:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Kim Ehn Originally a horticulturalist’s dream, this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home, garden, and accompanying forestland is a wonderous place to seek out migrating birds. Recently, the cedars and hemlocks on the property have played host to breeding Blackburnian Warblers as well. The trails are flat and easy with accessible boardwalks. 18 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
National Park Ranger Bird Hike
$5 / 9:00 – 11:30am / Leader: National Park Service Rangers
Are you new to birding or looking for a more relaxed birding opportunity?
Take part in these daily morning bird walks with the rangers from the Indiana Dunes
National Park. Each morning this tour will meet at the Visitor Center and walk the
often-productive nearby grounds and bike trail towards the Indiana Dunes State Park
in search of migrating birds. No carpooling required. Binoculars are also available for
borrowing if needed.
Festival Headliner: Sarah Saunders
Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink
FREE/ 11:30am – 12:30pm / Dunes Visitor Center
National Audubon Society’s new science shows that
two-thirds of North American bird species are at
risk of extinction from climate change. The good
news is that our science also shows that if we act
now, we can help improve the chances for 76% of
species at risk. Audubon scientists studied 604
North American bird species using 140 million bird
records—including observational data from bird
lovers across the country. Learn about the science
behind the findings and the impact on birds in
your local community.
How Monty and Rose took Chicago by storm - A Piping Plover’s Story
FREE/ 1:00 – 2:00pm / Dunes Visitor Center/ Presenter: Tamima Itani
In Spring 2019, a pair of endangered Piping Plovers nested on Montrose Beach,
the first in Chicago since 1955. They and their chicks weaved themselves into the
hearts of birders and non-birders alike, becoming ambassadors for their species.
Tamima Itani, Volunteer Coordinator and Board Member of the Illinois Ornithological
Society, will describe Piping Plover history, how the Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery
Effort is bringing these birds back, and stories from the Chicago experience.
The Raptors of Humane Indiana Live!
FREE/ 1:00 – 2:00pm / Douglas Center/ Humane Indiana Wildlife
Join the Humane Indiana Wildlife staff for a close-up look at live
birds of prey moving through the dunes right now. This fun and educational program
will discuss the hawks, falcons, and owls that can be seen in the field this week or
throughout the year in the Great Lakes region.
Warblers and Beyond: Connecting the Americas in Migration
$20/ 1:00 – 4:00pm / Dunes SP Nature Center/ Presenter: Dan Mallinger
Dan Mallinger will present an introduction to the warbler species of the Indiana
Dunes, seen in both migration and breeding. We’ll focus on each species’ unique
life history, threats they face across their range, and how citizen science is helping
conservation both here and on the wintering range. Afterwards we’ll have some field
time to practice our identification as part of this special workshop.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 19Thursday cont. Spotting the Unspottable: The story of the first ever catch of the mythical Unspotted Saw Whet Owl FREE / Thursday 2:30-3:30pm / Dunes Visitor Center/ Presenter: Ernest Carman Costa Rica is a bird-watcher’s paradise, but of all the colorful, enigmatic and unique birds, there is one that stands out for both its rareness and its cuteness. The elusive Unspotted Saw-Whet Owl avoided Costa Rican birders for many years until a small group of bird guides began a race to not only spot it, but to study, understand and even band it for the very first time in history. Hear the story from the person that made everything possible, Ernest Carman, top guide for Lifer Nature Tours. Cloudy with a Chance of Migration: Using Weather Radar to Track the Incredible Flights of Birds, Bats, and Bugs FREE / 2:30-3:30pm / Douglas Center/ Presenter: Philip Stepanian Our atmosphere is the largest expanse of wildlife habitat on Earth but monitoring the animals that call the sky their home is still a challenge. Using our continental radar network, Dr. Phil Stepanian will take you on a guided tour around the national airspace, giving a bird’s-eye view of the wildlife activity far above our heads. Come explore the weather that drives this dynamic habitat, and the lofty lives of birds, bats, and bugs! Heron Rookery in the Afternoon $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: Richard Garrett and Bill Sharkey Named for the Great Blue Herons that formerly nested at this inland National Park property, the Heron Rookery is well-known for its outstanding display of spring wildflowers. It is also an excellent place to find uncommon migrating songbirds such as Golden-winged Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler, but also deep woods specialties such as Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl. Expect an array of warblers and thrushes. The trail may be muddy. Cowles Bog 50 Species Afternoon Birdathon $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: Annie Aguirre Annie will race to find 50+ species in 180 minutes at Cowles Bog this afternoon. This National Park site is home to the birthplace of ecology and is a varied habitat for diverse migrating birds. The swamp edges can host many warblers, including large Northern Waterthrush numbers. Sandhill Cranes and rails nest throughout the property. Indiana Dunes State Park Afternoon Warblers $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: John Lindsey One of the premier birding sites during the festival! The Dunes State Park is simply great migrant birding. An assortment of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and more can be found here. The Wilson Boardwalk area also hosts Prothonotary Warblers and the savannas host Red-headed Woodpeckers. Bird Art Workshop with Kristina Knowski $25 / 3:00 – 5:00pm / Brincka Cross Gardens Join our official festival artist for a hands-on art workshop. Kristina will walk you through your own festival themed art projects. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Participants report directly to the Brincka Cross Gardens for this special workshop, which requires advance registration.
Audubon Great Lakes Social at Bird Fest! FREE / 6:00 - 9:00pm / Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria Chesterton Join us for a special reception for members and chapters to celebrate the Indiana Dunes Birding Fest with your fellow Audubon birder community and help us unveil an exciting partnership. Pizza buffet will be provided. Cash bar. Please RSVP on a first- come-first serve basis to Izabela Grobelna, Chapter Network Associate, at Izabela. grobelna@audubon.org or call (312) 453-0230 ext. 2012. Limited spots are available. Woodcock Sky Dance Tour $15/ 7:30 – 9:00pm / Leader: Amy Kearns The bird with many names! Whether you call it the timberdoodle, bog sucker, Labrador twister, or more simply the woodcock, its spring dance is a sight to behold. Join us for a short drive to watch the evening curtain rise on this quite punctual performer. Limited spots, so register early. Owl Prowl Tour $15 / 7:45 – 9:00pm / Leader: Cookie Ferguson Finding popular birds of the twilight is the goal this evening. Cookie will carpool a select group to target the amazing and stealthy world of owls. Based on local observations, we’ll try to find a few species and look at the adaptations they need to survive. Limited spots, so register early. Whip-poor-will Wander Tour $15 / 8:00 – 9:00pm / Leader: Matt Beatty To find the most vociferous bird of the dunes, you need not set your alarm early. Meet Matt for a carpool tour to seek out the loud Eastern Whip-poor-wills of the dune forests. If we’re lucky, we’ll have close looks at this territorial forest-floor dweller. Photo: Shari McCollough www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 21
This Place is for the Birds!
Indiana Dunes National Park
You’re bound to spot a few feathered friends amongst
the 350 species that visit the 15,000 acres of fens, bogs,
marshes, creeks, woodlands, prairies, dunes and beaches
at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Plan your day at nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/birdwatching.htm
22 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding FestivalFriday, May 17
Sunrise Birding at Michigan City Harbor
$5 / 5:00 – 10:00am / Leader: Richard Garrett and Bill Sharkey
Dawn birding is amazing in the dunes. Richard and Bill will guide you
for sunrise surprises on the beaches along the eastern Indiana Dunes National Park
lakefront. From there we’ll explore the dawn chorus in the best migrant hotspots
nearby. Space is limited on this new carpool tour.
Birding by Bus with Marc and Eliana
$25 / 6:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Marc Kramer and Elaina Ardila
Marc & Eliana’s epic road quest to explore birds and nature is over,
but you can still join them for a morning of birding by bus in the best migrant hotspots
in the Indiana Dunes. We’ll be targeting neo-tropic migrant vireos, warblers, thrushes,
and flycatchers this morning, while hoping to find many of the late May specialties in
the dunes. A box lunch is offered at the conclusion of the tour.
Bird Banding 101
$5 / 6:00 – 10:00am / Dunes State Park Wilson Shelter
Join experienced bird bander Amy Wilms for a peek into the secret
migration moving along Lake Michigan. Participants will have a chance to tour the mist-
netting banding site and see bird banding up close and in person (and maybe even help
release birds). Techniques of bird banding will also be discussed. Report directly to the
state park Wilson Shelter.
Dunes Big Morning!
$30 / 6:00am – 12:00pm / Leader: Wes Homoya
Enjoy the fast-paced birding of a Big Day, but all before lunch!
Speed around on a fast and furious morning to rack up a morning goal of 100 species.
Our van guides will choose the best route for a variety of migrating birds each day. A
box lunch is offered at the conclusion of the tour. This adventure is great for festival
returnees and those looking to rack up a big list of dunes migrants and breeding birds.
Michiana Marsh Meander
$25/ 6:00 – 10:00am / Leader: Cookie Ferguson
Two great wetlands in two great states this morning. Cookie
Ferguson will guide folks to both Beverly Shores and Galien River County Park for a look
at two special wetlands that play host to herons, rails, and bitterns. Galien River County
Park is also host to a great birding canopy tower. A similar tour last year saw Least
Bitterns at both sites in one tour!
Lake County Migrant Traps
$25/ 6:30 – 10:30am / Leader: Matt Kalwasinski
The “migrant traps” of Lake County hold high concentrations of birds due
to their location among the generally urban zone just outside of Chicago, yet still along
the Lake Michigan lakefront. Matt will escort birders by van to explore these hard to
find, yet super-diverse birding sites. A box lunch is included at the end of the tour.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 23Friday cont. Dunes Warbler Tour $5 / 6:30-10:30am / Leader: Amy Kearns 36 regularly occurring warblers can be found during a day of birding the dunes. We’ll seek to fill our warbler punch card this morning with as many as possible on this specialty tour, visiting the best spots for warblers during this carpool caravan. Cowles Bog $5 / 6:30 – 10:30am / Leader: Matt Igleski Cowles Bog is a birding treasure trove and an 8,000-year-old fen. This National Park site is a varied habitat for a diverse set of migrating birds. The swamp edges can host many migrating warblers, including large Northern Waterthrush numbers. Sandhill Cranes and rails nest throughout the property. Rarities tend to be found at this premier birding destination in the dunes. Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours $5 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Lifer Nature Tours As the official tour company of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, our Lifer Nature Tours expert guides will highlight some of the best birding in the dunes area and seek out some of the best birds to be found during the festival. Hannah and Erik Go Birding $5/ 7:00 – 11:00am / Leaders: Hannah and Erik Go Birding Hannah and Erik are a husband/wife bird nerd podcast team that loves to explore, adventure, meet new people, and watch birds. Join them for a fun morning in the dunes area seeking out the peak of spring migration in the dunes in four hours of birding via carpool. All locations will be within the Indiana Dunes State and National Park. Ambler Flatwoods Boreal Migrants $25 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Sarah Barnes The largest Shirley Heinze Land Trust property harbors a gem of relict populations of northern plant species, which translates to a safe haven for many neotropical migrants. It’s a great place for migrant and nesting forest birds, including thrushes, warblers, and flycatchers. It’s also a great trip for wildflower seekers. Indiana Dunes State Park $5 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Michael Topp One of the premier birding sites during the festival! The Dunes State Park is simply great migrant birding. An assortment of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and more can be found here. The Wilson Boardwalk area also plays host to Prothonotary Warblers and the back-dune savannas hosts many Red-headed Woodpeckers. The terrain should remain flat. Pinhook Bog $5/ 7:30– 11:00am / Leader: John Lindsey Pinhook Bog is one of few “true” bogs in the southern Great Lakes. Among the tamarack, blueberries, and insectivorous plants there is also unique birding. This site has upland forests as well as the lowland floating bog mat. The site is normally closed to the public, so you’ll want to pre-register for this carpool tour that often produces Connecticut Warblers.
Cowles Bog
$5 / 7:30 – 11:30am / Leader: John Kendall
Cowles Bog is a birding treasure trove and an 8,000-year-old fen. This
National Park Service site is home to the birthplace of ecology and is also
a varied habitat for a diverse set of migrating birds. The swamp edges
can host many migrating warblers, including large Northern Waterthrush
numbers. Sandhill Cranes and rails nest throughout the property. Rarities tend to be
found at this premier birding destination in the dunes.
DuPont Natural Area
$5/ 7:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Paul Labus
The DuPont Natural Area is owned by East Chicago Gateway Partners and
managed by The Nature Conservancy. It represents the dune and swale habitat of the
Great Lakes and is considered globally rare. An assortment of plants and animals have
been found at this normally closed birding hotspot, known for King Rails and bitterns.
This is a carpool tour. See Thursday’s trip if you wish to visit via van tour.
Dunes Heron Rookery
$5/ 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Randy Pals
Named for the Great Blue Herons that formerly nested at this inland
National Park property, the Heron Rookery is well-known for its
outstanding display of spring wildflowers. It is also an excellent place to
find uncommon migrating songbirds such as Golden-winged Warbler and
Yellow-throated Warbler, but also deep woods specialties such as Pileated Woodpecker
and Barred Owl. Expect an array of warblers and thrushes. The trail may be muddy.
Beverly Shores
$5 / 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Annie Aguirre
Visit the woodlands and wetlands that make up the Beverly
Shores area in pursuit of nesting and migrant species. Highlight birds may include both
Pine and Prairie Warbler, Summer Tanagers, rails, and Sandhill Cranes down near the
wetlands. Other woodland, marsh, wetland, and waterfowl species can be expected.
Reynold’s Creek Wetlands and Prairie
$5 / 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Mark Welter
Reynold’s Creek is a newly created gamebird habitat area just miles from
Lake Michigan. The recent restoration of warm season grasses has brought an explosion
of grassland birds, including Bobolinks, Dickcissels, and Henslow’s Sparrows. Potholes
are also being dug for wetland species such as shorebirds and waterfowl.
Intro to Birding Photography Close-up!
$5 / 8:30 – 11:30am / Leader: Rafi Wilkinson
Local photography expert Rafi Wilkinson will provide a discussion of
basic camera settings followed by a photo session with the live birds at the Humane
Indiana Wildlife’s wildlife rehab center. Participants will carpool to Humane Indiana
Wildlife for some photography time with these amazing ambassadors.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 25Friday cont. Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve $5 / 8:30 – 11:30am / Leader: Coffee Creek Staff This one-of-a-kind, mixed-development features over 150 acres of forest, wetland, and prairie restorations. The open meadows and prairies have become home to high numbers of breeding Tree Swallows and bluebirds. Great opportunity for close-up looks for beginning birders and photographers. National Park Ranger Bird Hike $5 / 9:00 – 11:30am / Leader: National Park Service Rangers Are you new to birding or looking for a more relaxed birding opportunity? Take part in these daily morning bird walks with the rangers from the Indiana Dunes National Park. Each morning this tour will meet at the Visitor Center and walk the often-productive nearby grounds and bike trail towards the Indiana Dunes State Park in search of migrating birds. Binoculars are also available for borrowing if needed. The Migration Marketplace PUBLIC/ 10:00 – 4:00pm / Indiana Dunes Visitor Center Held Friday through Sunday in the big tent outside the festival headquarters, the Migration Marketplace is your one-stop-shop for birding related gear, artwork, and more. Optics vendors, artwork, bird feeding specialists, and state & regional conservation organizations can answer your questions or provide you with the latest in birding equipment. Special vendor programs will take place inside the tent all three days. See the Marketplace schedule for the full list of programs. Audubon Great Lakes Native Plant Sale PUBLIC/ 10:00 – 4:00pm / Indiana Dunes Visitor Center Audubon Great Lakes and the local Audubon chapters will host this special native plant sale Friday through Sunday at the festival grounds. Some of the plants that will be on hand include royal catchfly, milkweed, wild columbine, and black-eyed Susan. Also, be sure to visit the native plant sale booth for mini workshops. Audubon will have plant experts to help you find the best native plants for your garden. Festival Headliner: Hannah and Erik Go Birding Birds Don’t Know They Are Special FREE/ 11:30 – 12:30pm / Dunes Visitor Center Birds play a huge part in the economy, ecology, and people’s lives. But—do you think they realize it? Hannah and Erik host a birding podcast and through their travels around the world they have come to realize how large a part birds do play. From supporting tourism in small communities to planting ecosystems, our lives wouldn’t be the same without birds. And despite these facts, birds don’t seem to appreciate or acknowledge that we are even watching them.
An Introduction to Waterfowl ID Workshop
$20/ 1:00 – 4:00pm / Dunes SP Nature Center/ Presenter: Michael Topp
Despite over 30 species of ducks found in the wetlands-rich Great
Lakes, very few nest in the immediate region. This leaves precious time to truly study
their beautiful plumages, behavior, and interesting life histories. Explore this unique
group of birds with dunes area expert Michael Topp. Afterwards, a short field session
will seek out some May migrating and nesting waterfowl.
Raptors Live!
FREE/ 1:00 – 2:00pm / Dunes Visitor Center/ Presenter: Potawatomi Zoo
Join the Potawatomi Zoo for this close-up look at live birds of prey
moving through the dunes right now. This fun and educational program will discuss the
many hawks, falcons, and owls that can be seen in the field this week or throughout
the year in the Great Lakes region. Each day features different birds.
Duneland Herpetology: Peculiar Species in a Peculiar Landscape
FREE/ 1:00 – 2:00pm / Douglas Center/ Presenter: Nate Engbrecht
From lizards without legs to the Great Lakes’ smallest salamander, this
presentation will feature Indiana DNR Herpetologist Nate Engbrecht as he discusses
some of the more bizarre and intriguing amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the Indiana
Dunes National Park.
Amazing Birding in the Indiana Dunes
FREE/ 2:30 – 3:30pm/ Visitor Center/ Presenter: Ken Brock
The Indiana Dunes is host to some of the greatest bird diversity in the Midwest.
Among the top ten sites in the entire Great Lakes, the Indiana Dunes shoreline is a
rich mosaic of interesting and unique habitats that support over 370 bird species. Ken
Brock, aka the bird man of Indiana, will talk participants through the amazing places
found along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and a sampling of the bird species
you should be on the lookout for during the festival. Ken will offer his secrets to the
greatest birding hotspot in Indiana.
The Birds (& Animals) From Down Under
FREE/ 2:30 – 3:30pm/ Visitor Center/ Presenter: Rick & Debbie Read
In 3 weeks of birding in Australia Rick and Debbie Read saw many new bird
families like bowerbirds, honeyeaters, frogmouths and fairywrens, as well as new
mammals like platypus and marsupials. How many animals looks like kangaroos, but
aren’t? Have you seen a 125-lb bird with a dinosaur-looking head? Should you fear a
mammal with a 3-ft wingspan? They’ll show you pictures, sounds and videos from “the
land of parrots” that will surprise and amaze you.
Bird Photos after the Shoot: An Intro to Lightroom Processing
FREE/ 4:00 – 5:00pm/ Dunes Visitor Center/ Presenter: Rafi Wilkinson
You’ve spent the morning trying to capture those live action bird shots. But now
that the day is over, now what? Explore tips and techniques to brushing up those not so
perfect bird photos and the basic photo adjustments that any bird photographer should
know. We’ll explore not only Lightroom, but other image-editing software you might be
using. Examples from the field will be used.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 27Friday cont. A Rare Peek at Rails of the Midwest FREE/ 4:00 – 5:00pm/ Douglas Center/ Presenter: Stephanie Beilke Rails are a taxonomic family of birds with a tendency to be highly secretive, often dwelling in dense vegetation. We’ll take a closer look amid the reeds to uncover what there is to know about seven rail species that breed in and migrate through the Great Lakes. Come learn about who would win the award for noisiest rail and the most secretive marsh bird of them all. In addition, we’ll explore what Audubon Great Lakes and partners have learned about how rails and other marsh birds respond to restoration happening right here in the Chicago region. Indiana Dunes State Park Afternoon Warblers $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: Matt Igleski One of the premier birding sites during the festival! The Dunes State Park is simply great migrant birding. An assortment of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and more can be found here. The Wilson Boardwalk area also plays host to Prothonotary Warblers and the back-dune savannas host many Red-headed Woodpeckers. The terrain covered should remain flat during this afternoon carpool tour. Heron Rookery in the Afternoon $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: Mark Welter Named for the Great Blue Herons that formerly nested at this inland National Park property, the Heron Rookery is well-known for its outstanding display of spring wildflowers. It is also an excellent place to find uncommon migrating songbirds such as Golden-winged Warbler and Yellow- throated Warbler, but also deep woods specialties such as Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl. Expect an array of warblers and thrushes. The trail may be muddy. Afternoon Shorebird Search $15/ 2:00 – 5:00pm / Leader: Amy Kearns Shorebirds and their habitat can vary year to year and week to week. Amy Kearns will take participants to the current shorebird hideouts, with possible visits to several inland flooded fields, wetlands, and shoreline habitat. A Bloopy Bird Art Workshop $20/ 3:00 – 5:00pm / Brincka Cross Gardens/ Presenter: Joe Feliciano Join our festival birds and brews artist for a hands-on art workshop. Joe will take a light-hearted cartoonist look to approaching bird drawings. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Participants report directly to the Brincka Cross Gardens for this special workshop, which requires advance registration. Birds and Brews & 5th Annual Bird Calling Competition! FREE / 6:00 – 9:00pm / Sand Creek Country Club It’s our official birders social event! Join other participants for a night of great food, drinks, trivia, prizes, and more. Try our special bird fest beer and cider or meet a new birder from around the Great Lakes region. Tonight, we will also feature the annual bird calling competition after 7pm. Bring your best call for hundreds of dollars in prizes! Registration includes a pizza, salad, and breadsticks buffet.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 29
Saturday, May 18 Bird Banding 101 $5 / 6:00 – 10:00am / Dunes State Park Wilson Shelter Join experienced bird bander Amy Wilms for a peek into the secret migration moving along Lake Michigan. Participants will have a chance to tour the mist-netting banding site and see bird banding up close and in person (and maybe even help release birds). Techniques of bird banding will also be discussed. Report directly to the state park Wilson Shelter. Adam Sell’s Bird Tower Big Sit FREE / 6:00 – 10:00am / Dunes SP Bird Tower One of the best big sit sites in the dunes, no matter the weather, the Dunes State Park Longshore Tower and nearby prairie and woodlands host a great variety of birds. From migrating raptors, forest edge warblers (including Connecticut), and secretive skulkers, one never knows what might appear here. Register to join Illinois hawk watch expert Adam Sell for a morning of bird watching. Lake Michigan Pelagic on the Emita II $39 / 6:00 – 10:00am / Leader: Wes Homoya We’ve partnered with Harbor Country Adventures for a large passenger cruise boat, the Emita II. We’ll take a 3-hour cruise with expert birding guides to seek out late migrating waterfowl such as Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Loons, as well as migrating shorebirds and land birds along the dune beaches. This tour is weather dependent, with rain dates being offered on both Friday and Sunday. Dunes Big Morning! $30 / 6:00am – 12:00pm / Leader: Matt Igleski Here is your chance to enjoy the fast-paced birding of a Big Day, but all before lunch! Speed around on a fast and furious morning to rack up a morning goal of 100 species. Our van guides will choose the best route for a variety of migrating birds each day. A box lunch is offered at the conclusion of the tour. This morning adventure is great for festival returnees and those looking to rack up a big list of dunes migrants and breeding birds. Kankakee Sands Prairie Birding $5/ 6:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Barb Lucas The Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands is a birders and wildflower enthusiasts paradise. The more than 7,000 acres hosts an amazing array of birds, plants, and animals that fills the prairie with song and sights to behold. Recent reintroduction of bison is rebuilding the natural ecosystems that support Henslow’s and Lark Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks, Dickcissels, Northern Bobwhites, and more that will be visible on this carpool tour. Miller Woods and Swale $5 / 6:00-10:00am / Leader: Michael Topp The forested dune and swale in the Miller area sit at a unique location, right on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. The National Park’s Miller Woods and Douglas Center are a prime spot for migrating warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, and more. This is a unique tour with a guide who is well-versed with this birding hotspot.
Moraine Nature Preserve Tour
$5/ 6:30-10:30am / Leader: Matt Beatty
The Moraine Nature Preserve is an 800-acre rolling, forested landscape
located just south of the dunes in what is called the Valparaiso Moraine. This preserve
is some of the highest elevation for landing migrants. This preserve, marked with
ravines and shallow wetlands, is an excellent spring birding destination.
Potato Creek State Park
$25/ 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Lindsay Grossmann
The forests, prairies, and wetlands at Potato Creek are a six-square-mile
birding oasis in the snow belt shadowing Lake Michigan. The park is
known for waterfowl and its density of nesting Osprey. This van tour will
seek out migrants and includes a box lunch upon return.
Bendix Woods Warblers
$25/ 6:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Evie Kirkwood
Bendix Woods is home to over 150 acres of woods, ponds, and fields. A
state dedicated nature preserve is contained within its borders. Bendix
Woods can be a great location for migrating warblers, vireos, and
thrushes during the spring. Participants will be guided by van with Evie
Kirkwood, retired director of St. Joseph County Parks.
Birding the Dunes with Lifer Nature Tours
$5 / 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Lifer Nature Tours
As the official tour company of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival,
our Lifer Nature Tours expert guides will highlight some of the best birding in the dunes
area and seek out some of the best birds to be found during the festival.
Hannah and Erik Go Birding
$5/ 7:00 – 11:00am / Leaders: Hannah and Erik Go Birding
Hannah and Erik are a husband/wife bird nerd podcast team that loves to explore,
adventure, meet new people, and watch birds. Join them for a fun morning in the dunes
area seeking out the peak of spring migration in the dunes in four hours of birding via
carpool. All locations will be within the Indiana Dunes State and National Park.
Little Calumet River Kayak Birding
$25/ 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Libby Keyes and NWIPA
Explore an unspoiled section of the beautiful Little Calumet River just
south of the dunes via kayak. We’ll provide the kayaks, and you’ll slow paddle the
serene waters towards Lake Michigan in search of waterbirds and migrant songbirds
feeding along the river’s edge. It’s one of the best spots in the region for Yellow-
throated and Prothonotary Warblers. Beginners welcome! Trip sponsorship courtesy of
the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.
Little Calumet River Advanced Kayak Birding
$10/ 7:00 – 11:00am / Leader: Dan Mallinger and NWIPA
In this more advanced kayak birding trip, we’ll explore a more difficult, but
equally birdy section of the beautiful Little Calumet River just south of the dunes via
kayak. All birders MUST provide their own kayak for this trip. Trip sponsorship courtesy
of the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.
www.indunesbirdingfestival.com | 31Saturday cont. Pinhook Bog $25/ 7:00- 11:00am / Leader: Amy Kearns Pinhook Bog is one of few “true” bogs in the southern Great Lakes. Among the tamarack, blueberries, and insectivorous plants there is also unique birding. This site has both upland forests as well as the lowland floating bog mat that we’ll be able to explore. This area is normally closed to the public, so you’ll want to pre- register early. A box lunch will be included with this van tour. Cowles Bog $5 / 7:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Annie Aguirre Cowles Bog is a birding treasure trove and an 8,000-year-old fen. This National Park Service site is home to the birthplace of ecology and is also a varied habitat for a diverse set of migrating birds. The swamp edges can host many migrating warblers, including large Northern Waterthrush numbers. Sandhill Cranes and rails nest throughout the property. Rarities tend to be found at this premier birding destination in the dunes. Calumet Region Birding with National Audubon $5 / 7:30 – 11:00am / Leader: Walter Marcisz & Nat Miller The Cook County Forest Preserves and The Field Museum have done active restoration to restore Eggers Grove as a unique habitat, combining dry, wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive with long, narrow wetlands filled with sedges, marsh grasses, emergent forbs and waterfowl. The varied woodland and wetland landscape attracts spring and fall migrations of waterfowl and songbirds. Expect an assortment of total species. This trip may involve toll road fees. Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area Tour $25/ 7:30 – 11:00am / Leader: John Lindsey Many great records have come from Kingsbury. With its 7,000 acres of forest, grasslands, and wetlands, a diversity of birds can be found on this old ordinance property that was deeded to the DNR in 1965. John Lindsey is intimately familiar with the property and will showcase a diversity of breeding and migrant birds. A box lunch will be included with this van tour. Little Calumet River Wetlands $5 / 8:00am – 11:30am / Leader: Stephanie Beilke The Little Calumet River corridor includes some of the most productive wetland habitat in the dunes area. These wetlands have also been the focal point for recent secretive marsh bird surveys, revealing the hidden rails, bitterns, herons, grebes, and more that make this fragmented habitat home. Join National Audubon’s Stephanie Beilke for a carpool tour to a few of these unique birding spots. Reynold’s Creek Wetlands and Prairie $5 / 8:00 – 11:30am / Leader: Mark Welter Reynold’s Creek is a newly created gamebird habitat area just miles from Lake Michigan. The recent restoration of warm season grasses has brought an explosion of grassland birds, including Bobolinks, Dickcissels, and Henslow’s Sparrows. Potholes are also being dug for wetland species such as shorebirds and waterfowl. 32 | 2020 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
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