If you have any questions about our field trips, please contact Brian Miller at 547-291-0804 or e-mail vireo@michiana.org.

APRIL

26 We will visit the home of Merlin and Mary Lehman to learn about nesting Purple Martins. It has been a few years since our last visit to their home near Middlebury, so join us and be amazed by the sight and sound of a plethora of Purple Martins. In 2007, Merlin had 109 active nests and fledged 472 young. We will meet at 8:30, in the Kohl’s parking lot, near Miami and Ireland Roads. If you live east of South Bend or in Elkhart County and wish to meet us at Merlin’s home, please call Brian for directions.

MAY

2-4 SPRING CAMPING FOR NON-CAMPERS TOO! to Turkey Run State Park
Two years ago, we enjoyed seeing some of our Southern Indiana birds, while camping at McCormick’s Creek St. Pk., so we thought we would travel south again and visit Turkey Run State Park for our spring camping trip, on May 2-3-4. If you are “into birding”, but not “into camping”, please consider joining us for the weekend while staying at the Turkey Run Inn or one of the cabins in the park. To make reservation at the Inn, call 877-500-6151. Camping reservations can be made at "http://www.camp.in.gov" www.camp.in.gov or by calling 866-622-6746. Campers should call Brian to coordinate plans, before making reservations.
3 Sanctuary Work Day 8:00 AM
10 Birdathon, Spring Bird Count
24 Sanctuary Work Day 8:00 AM
26 Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-10AM at Sanctuary

JUNE

JUNE 7 TRIP TO KANKAKEE SANDS
On Saturday, June 7, we will be driving to the western border of Indiana, to Kankakee Sands and Willow Slough.  Kankakee Sands is a Nature Conservancy area of extended grasslands and wetlands.  We will spend our day driving along the county roads, while stopping frequently to scan the prairies and savannas, to look at the variety of grassland birds. We especially hope to see Blue Grosbeak and Bell's Vireo.  During previous trips to the Sands, we have seen many Savannah, Henslow’s, and Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissel and Meadowlark and heard several Northern Bobwhite Quail. We also saw Baltimore and Orchard Oriole and many Northern Mockingbirds. Due to the remoteness of the area, you should pack a lunch and bring a bottle or two of water.  We will meet at the Belleville Shopping Area parking lot at 6:00 a.m. for car-pooling, near Key Bank at the corner of Summit and Western Avenue.

If you have any question about field trips, call Brian Miller at 574-291-0804 (night) or 291-237-2415 (day)or
vireo@michiana.org.

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Drawing by John James Audubon