October Big Day Brings Birders and Land Trusts Together
Celebrate fall migration at land trust properties across Indiana while contributing to a global day of citizen science.
Participating in October Big Day means you’re part of a global birding celebration that fuels migration research and conservation. Spend a fall morning exploring ILPA member land trust properties, discover a new birding destination, and add your bird observations—counts, photos, or audio—to a worldwide effort in citizen science.
Sign up on eventbrite.
What to Expect
All hikes begin at 9 a.m. in each location’s respective time zone and last about two hours at a relaxed birding pace. Most hikes cover around 1.5 miles, though some may be shorter. Participants should dress for the weather and bring their own binoculars. Cameras are welcome but optional, so bring whatever helps you enjoy the morning!
Hike Locations
Choose from the following hikes at participating properties:
- Asherwood Nature Preserve (Wabash, 9 a.m. ET) with Nathaniel Wise
- Atherton Island Natural Area (Rosedale, 9 a.m. ET) with Ben Cvengros
- Betley Woods (Trafalgar, 9 a.m. ET) with Mike Clay
- Buffalo Trace Woods (Greenville, 9 a.m. ET) with Luke Pearsons
- Eagle Marsh (Fort Wayne, 9 a.m. ET) with John Winebrenner
- Kankakee Sands (Morocco, 9 a.m. CT) with Jeanette Jaskula
- Lloyd W. Bender Memorial Forest (Albion, 9 a.m. ET) with Cole Buffenbarger
- Lydick Bog (South Bend, 9 a.m. ET) with Jim Spier
- McVey Memorial Forest (Farmland, 9 a.m. ET) with Elena Paul
- Meadowbrook Nature Preserve (Valparaiso, 9 a.m. CT) with Anthony Grabin
- Mulvey Pond (West Lafayette, 9 a.m. ET) with Kyle Gebhart
- Oxbow Nature Conservancy (Lawrenceburg, 9 a.m. ET) with Kathy McDonald & Ned Keller
- Sam Shine Foundation Preserve (Ellettsville, 9 a.m. ET) with Wyatt Downey & David Rupp
- Sargent Road Nature Park (Indianapolis, 9 a.m. ET) with Aidan Rominger
- Shawnee Karst Preserve (Bedford, 9 a.m. ET) with Cathy Meyer
- Three Forks Preserve (Carmel, 9 a.m. ET) with Brian Cunningham
- Waterfield Preserve (Fremont, 9 a.m. ET) with Bruce Matasick
- Webster Woods (Lexington, 9 a.m. ET) with Wendy Wonderley
Accessibility
Accessibility varies across the 18 properties. For details such as parking, trail conditions, seating, or restrooms, contact the land trust hosting that property. If you email us (see below), we can connect you with the right point of contact.
Questions
Email info@indianaaudubon.org or call 765-205-1255 with any questions about this event. If you require accommodations to participate, contact us as early as possible. While we may not be able to meet every request, we will make every reasonable effort to support your participation.
Our Partners
This event is open to the public and hosted by Indiana Audubon in partnership with ILPA, a network of nonprofit land trusts working together to conserve land across the state. Participating this year are ACRES Land Trust, Buffalo Trace Land Trust, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Central Indiana Land Trust, Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy, Indiana Karst Conservancy, Little River Wetlands Project, Mud Creek Conservancy, NICHES Land Trust, Ouabache Land Conservancy, Oxbow, Inc., Red-tail Land Conservancy, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Sycamore Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, and Three Forks Preserve.