Bird walks should feel welcoming to everyone. 🐦🌈 We're teaming up with Rainbow Birders (a program of Spencer Pride) TOMORROW (6/26) for a free virtual session on leading more inclusive bird walks. Starts at 6:30pm ET. RSVP and get the Zoom link:

Meet Wendy Wonderley: retired Phoenix environmental pro turned Ellettsville birder, co-leader of Rainbow Birders with Spencer Pride. 🌈 From restoring Rio Salado’s heron havens to birding all seven continents, she’s on a mission to make every trail welcoming.

Want more birds in your yard? One native plant can host hundreds of insects and feed generations of birds. Here's how to get started with your native garden. 👇 Get some habitat tips!

There’s no such thing as the “best” binoculars, just the ones that fit you like a glove and don’t steam up mid-warbler. “Just like a pair of jeans, everyone has their own fit...” —Olivia Bautch, in our new #Birding 101 article on how to pick your optics, whether new or an upgrade.

Our Executive Director's latest Cardinal Online post highlights the importance of supporting the U.S. Geological Survey's Ecosystems Mission Area for bird conservation. Learn more about the vital role USGS plays in understanding and protecting our bird populations.

Let’s GOOOOOO!!! Welcome, Dexter! 👋 Stop by the Visitor Center and we’ll give you some tips stat.

We have more grant funding available than ever before through our Mumford & Keller Grants and Scholarships Program. And we’re ready to support bold, thoughtful projects that make a difference for Indiana’s birds. Applications are open through August 15!

Each spring, countless birds strike windows, mistaking reflections for open space. Many later die from internal injuries. A simple fix—like spaced window dots—can save lives by making glass visible to birds. Now’s the time to act. Learn More: indianaaudubon.org/lights-out-indiana

Birds are calling! 🐦 Celebrate peak birding season with us at the 2025 Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, May 15-18. Even if you're not signed up for field trips, there's still plenty to experience—free events, art exhibits, and more.

👀 Who’s coming?!

🚨 Lights Out Alert 🚨 An estimated 8.4 million #birds will be flying over #Indiana tonight (May 7)! 🌙✨ You can help by turning off outdoor lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Find out what you can do—and why it matters—at indianaaudubon.org/lights-out-indiana.

"Too often, the pursuit of being a Good (life list) Birder causes us not to be such Good (ethical) Birders." Read More 👇

Got kids? Got curiosity? 🐦 Head to Indiana Dunes State Park on Saturday, May 17, for Youth & Family Birding Day—a full day of wild, winged fun! 🌿 Hourly bird walks 🛠️ Birdhouse building 🦉 Live birds of prey 🎨 Crafts, owl pellets, nature bingo & more No sign-up needed. Come and go as you please.

Want to sharpen your ear-birding skills? We’ve got a great opportunity for you on Thursday evening! Learn to recognize common calls and songs just in time for peak spring migration. 🎧 Bird Sounds 101: Virtual Workshop Thursday, May 8 | 6–7:30 p.m. ET Registration required

It's the season for breeding birds! If you need tips and guidance on what to do—and how to find your nearest Indiana DNR licensed bird rehabilitator—we have a resource for you: bit.ly/ifoundabird

🎶 Kevin the Wood Thrush is back in Indiana—banded, fabulous, and scientifically significant. The vibe? Fashion, but make it ✨ conservation science. ✨ Read the story: bit.ly/42W9LF5.

🚨 Heads up, Hoosiers! Turn your lights off tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. to help migrating birds. This PSA is fueled by conservation passion and a whole lot of love for Indiana’s birds. 🐦

Our membership drive is in full swing, and now’s the perfect time to jump in! New members, re-joiners, and those renewing—you're all eligible for our giveaway drawing this Friday. This week’s prize? A backyard wildlife camera kit from Green-Backyard. Get details via the link and join us!

Do you live in or near Connersville, Indiana? Check out our "Introduction to Fishing Workshop" on Saturday, May 3, at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary! It's your chance to enjoy a day outdoors, learn some fishing tips, and have a reel good time with family and friends. 🎣😄

A question we got this week: “What should I do about the Mourning Dove that’s built a nest in the wreath on my front door?” Short answer: Nothing. Long answer: We’re so glad you asked! 🧵 Photo: Mourning Dove paid by Shari McCollough

Alert: The #IndianaDunes are in full swing and birds are on the move! "April momentum builds at the dunes" and every day brings new arrivals. Get the scoop via our latest blog post. 👇

They're tough enough to take down prey with that hooked bill—but Loggerhead Shrikes still need a hand. Read about our work with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the Loggerhead Shrike Working Group to help Indiana's shrikes thrive.

Our spring membership drive starts NOW! Your membership doesn't fly south. Every dollar stays here to protect the habitats Indiana's birds depend on—during migration and beyond. Join Indiana Audubon by May 1 and get entered to win some cool birdy prizes. Details: bit.ly/isupportbirds

Hundreds of Wood Thrushes are sporting tiny Motus tags across the hemisphere—and they're on the move! Find out how this massive project is reshaping bird conservation. This is a guest post contributed by Sarah Kendrick, a Migratory Bird Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Our latest Meet a Member Q&A features Joni James and discusses how she got into birding, her favorite species, and why field sketching matters to her birding practice. Want to be featured in a coming month? Get in touch with us via DM or email at [email protected].

Written by one of our owl banding team members, this heartfelt story follows Aurora, a Northern Saw-whet Owl whose journey from fall rescue at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary to full-time educator at Humane Indiana Wildlife is anything but ordinary.

📞 Call your representatives about H.R. 7018 (Glue Trap Prohibition Act) and the rescinding of "incidental take" under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections. 🌪️ Yes, it feels like shouting into a hurricane some days. 🐦 Yes, it still matters. If you have 5 minutes, make a call. DO IT FOR BIRDS!

This week’s birder emotions, ranked: 😒 North winds = not much new overhead. 🤔 Saturday morning might bring a few fresh birds. 😮‍💨 The big migration push? Still backstage, tuning up. South winds are coming... and so are the birds. 35 days until the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival!

Some birds fly thousands of miles to find the right habitat. Let’s not greet them with a kudzu jungle and a pile of plastics, eh?

Here's what we're noticing about early migrants at the Longshore Flight tower in the Indiana Dunes State Park this week... #IndianaDunes #Birds #Migration

Spring wildflowers be like: "Bloom fast, or don't bloom at all." Learn about these short-lived rebels with us at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in Connersville THIS Saturday. 🌱 Details & Registration: birdandhikemgbs.eventbrite.com

Indiana Audubon members get free access to @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social—a $49/year resource with 11,000+ species accounts. 🐦 If you were an active member between Dec. 1 and March 20, you’re eligible! Just follow the steps at indianaaudubon.org/bow to get started.

There are SO many ways to connect with us and learn about birds and nature! Head to indianaaudubon.org/events to sign up for one of our upcoming in-person or virtual experiences.

With support from our Mumford and Keller Grants and Scholarships program, the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District is helping students connect with nature in meaningful, hands-on ways. Through outdoor education programs, kids are discovering the joy of birds!

🌷 Spring is here, and BIRDS are on the move! If you spot one that seems hurt or out of place, not all birds need help—but some do. Learn how to tell the difference and find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if needed. 👉 bit.ly/ifoundabird

🐦 🔊 IAS Executive Director Brad Bumgardner put three bird sound recording devices to the test this winter. Curious how well they pick up and identify birds in your yard? Check out his real-world review.

Each spring, Indiana Audubon tracks bird migration, identifies challenges, and advocates for the habitats they rely on. But federal funding cuts and decreased support from key partners have put financial strain on this essential research.

Question of the day: “Where can I find [bird]?” With birding, the search is half the fun—and we LOVE helping people find their target! 🎯🐦 If you’re looking for a specific bird, eBird’s Species Maps feature is a great tool to see where it was spotted recently.

Another post from our blog—this one is focused on two important Hoosier women birders: Jane L. Brooks and Gene Stratton-Porter. Thanks to Terri Gorney-Lehman for shining the light on their contributions to Indiana’s ornithological records!

Our Indiana Dunes Longshore count has begun! Each year, experienced birders head to the observation tower at the Indiana Dunes State Park to count migrating birds along the lakeshore. cc: @indiana-dunes.bsky.social

We get this question all the time: “When do Ruby-throated Hummingbirds show up in spring?” If you put your nectar feeders out by mid-April, you’ll be ready for those first tiny travelers looking for a quick refuel. Image Source: @accuweather.com

Protecting birds takes more than just watching them. Federal cuts threaten vital conservation work—and we need your help.

Two new Motus stations in Honduras are helping us track Wood Thrush migration as part of the Chasing Melody project, providing key insights into their wintering grounds and migration routes.

Avian Influenza Update: Reports of deceased #sandhillcranes in Indiana and other nearby states have prompted questions about what to do if you see a dead or possibly infected crane or other bird. Learn more ⬇️ 🌎🪶🧪

Help us track nocturnal bird migration this spring and/or fall! We're currently recruiting volunteers for our Echoes of the Night Sky project across Indiana. Learn more and sign up:

This is a great list! We know of one reason to download Discord: the Indiana Birding server, where you can connect with the Hoosier birding community and exciting bird sightings in real time. 👀

Our 2025 Sax-Zim Bog tour was last weekend! Guess how many Great Gray Owls our participants got to see? We’ll mail a cute little Indiana Audubon number sticker to anyone who correctly guesses the exact number. 😉 Photo by Karla Simpson

For your weekend reading pleasure 👇

What tip(s) would YOU like to share with a new birder?

10 Things your social media manager wish she knew before she started birding: 1. Don't worry about finding the "best" pair of binoculars – focus on finding what works for your needs. 2. Every bird is a "good bird" and worth appreciating. 1/4