Upcoming Events and Important News for Members

Above photo courtesy of Member Gil Patmore
November
Saturday, November 1,  Bird Walk at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk (Indiana Dunes National Park) with leader Kim Ehn.
8:30 am - 10:30 am   Meet at the north side of the pavilion. This Bird Walk will be repeated on 12/4. 1/1, 2/5, & 3/5.
The winter months draw maritime wanderers to the Indiana Lakeshore as a stopover before migrating further south or as a wintering area if the Lake Michigan and the beaches meet their needs. Bay and sea ducks are attracted to the open, deep waters here, and a variety of gulls and terns may rest or feed on the rocky jetties in this small harbor of Burns Waterway. Join DCAS President Kim Ehn for this event and dress warmly!
 See "Activities" for registration & information.

Thursday, November 18, Monthly meeting & Program, Sandhill Cranes of Indiana presented by Brad Bumgardner.
7:00 pm On Zoom 894 9539 8470 Passcode 891368
Brad Bumgardner is a DCAS Board Member and the Executive Director of Indiana Audubon Society. He will present his extensive knowledge of where, when, and how to see the migrating flocks of Sandhill Cranes as they travel through, stop over, and winter in Indiana. 

Saturday, November 20, Bird Walk: Owl Prowl, with leader Cookie Ferguson.
The location and starting time will be announced soon!

VOLUNTEER(s) NEEDED: Do you have an interest in Birding as part of the Climate Watch bird surveys in Lake and Porter County? Dunes-Calumet Audubon is looking for help with this important Citizen Science project with National Audubon Society. Please contact Chapter President Kim Ehn at kmehn@comcast.net to see how you can get involved!



Helping our Natural Resources

Join or Donate
  Click HERE to learn about the benefits of becoming  both a National Audubon and Chapter member.
Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society Chapter (only) memberships allows more funding to support local projects.
Events and Activities
The Dunes-Calumet Chapter meets monthly for informative presentations. Bird Walks are led to sites that highlight the great diversity of bird-life found on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.  Visit  ACTIVITIES  for more information and registration.
Great Birding Opportunities
The diversity of birding sites in Porter and Lake Counties host more bird species than anywhere else in Indiana.  Many birding sites are National Audubon recognized Important Bird Areas. Read more by visiting BIRDING SITES 

Dunes-Calumet Audubon Merchandise

Get Your DCAS Merchandise Here!

FEATURE BIRDING SITE

Miller Beach/Marquette Park
​Miller Beach/Marquette Park is a wide uninterrupted expanse of sandy beach that sits exactly at the southern tip of Lake Michigan in Gary. Because of its unique location on the lake, it serves as a phenomenal point of convergence for species that follow the eastern and western edges of the lake south during fall migration.
Miller Beach: At the northern end of Lake Street is a parking lot that offers ready access to the dunes and a good view of the lake. During the blustery months, birders stand together to scan the skies for Jaegers and the waves for waterfowl. In the summer months, Gary Parks Dept. charges a parking fee and jet-skiers and sunbathers flock here on the weekends. It is recommended either to arrive early in the morning, or later in the afternoon. To the west of Lake Street is Indiana Dunes National Park, including a trail that leads south through the Marquette Park Lagoons and ends at the Douglas Environmental Center. Spotted Sandpipers nest along the vegetation at the high water mark and migrating shorebirds stop here too.
Marquette Park: Another good location to scan the lake is at the concession stand some 0.5 miles to the east on Oak Ave. This small concrete block structure sits slightly higher than the adjacent beachfront and provides shelter from the blowing winds that usually accompany the good birds at Miller Beach. Walking down to the beach can yield some American Avocets during fall migration or walking along the dunes you might spot a Snowy Owl resting among the Marram grass.
Typical time to bird site: 15-60 minutes, although half-day or all-day vigils are often held when conditions are right.
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OUR MAILING ADDRESS
​Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society
​P.O. Box 36
Wheeler, IN 46393