Category: Hike/Walk

Indiana Audubon welcomes you to explore the spring beauty of Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary for our annual spring gathering. Join us to celebrate over 80 years of this amazing nature preserve and experience the best of spring migration in Indiana.

This event promises to be a great opportunity for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to come together and celebrate the society’s longstanding commitment to bird and nature conservation and education. As part of the event, all visitors can enjoy the Indiana Audubon membership perk of rustic camping both Friday and Saturday night free of charge in the campground. Fishing is free all weekend too.

The day’s highlights include:

6:00 AM Breakfast with the Birds (Continental Breakfast at the Markle Barn through 10am)
7:00 AM Big Sit from the Birding Blind
7:30 AM Spring Migration Madness Birding Hike
8:00 AM MGBS Nature Exploration Hike
8:30 AM Beginning Birding 101Hike
9:00 AM Beeswax Candlemaking With Bill Cummings
9:30 AM iNaturalist Bioblitz Hike
10:00 AM Birds and Blooms with Shari “Going Fur Gold: McCollough
10:30 AM Family Nature Hike
12:00 PM Hamburger Cookout Lunch at the Markle Barn (included with registration!)
12-2 PM Youth Birding Activites at the Large Shelter
12-2 PM Go Fishin’ with Clint at the Ponds
1:00 PM Chasing Melody with Brad Bumgardner (Brooks Hall)
2:00 PM Forests and Fields of Mary Gray Birding Hike
2:30 PM Beginning Birding 101Hike
3:00 PM Cranes in Culture with Lauren Benedict (Brooks Hall)
3:00 PM Beginning Wood Block Art Workshop with Matt Rees (Markle Barn)
3:00 PM Afternoon Nature Photography Hike Shari McCollough
3:30 PM Sounds of the Forest Hike with Whitney Yoerger

Basic Spring Gathering Registration for adults is only $10 ($5 for Indiana Audubon members) and includes lunch. Children are free. Separate registration for the wood block art workshop is required. A variety of lodging options are also nearby in Connersville and Rushville.

Embark on a fascinating journey into the enchanting world of mushrooms during our Fungi Foray! Join our naturalist as she leads you through the forest, unveiling the hidden treasures beneath the canopy. Learn about the diverse shapes, colors, and roles these mysterious mushrooms play in our ecosystem. Discover the magic beneath your feet and cultivate a newfound appreciation for the incredible diversity of nature on our Fungi Foray!

Meet at shelter #6

Join the park’s naturalist on an early morning stroll through Brownsburg Parks. All birders are welcome and binoculars are encouraged. Program is free to attend!

*Please note change in times to reflect sunrise and Day Light Savings time.