Upcoming Events and Important News for Members

September
Thursday, September 16, 7:00 pm Monthly Meeting & Program
Birding the Nature Preserves of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Presented by Sarah Barnes, Communications and Land Manager SHLT. See "Activities" for registration & information.

Saturday, September 18, 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Big Birding Day with Shirley Heinze Land Trust. 5 Nature Preserves in Lake & Porter County. See "Activities" for registration & information.

 NOMINATING COMMITTEE asks if you are interested in being considered for the Board of Directors or a Standing Committee (Conservation, Membership, Public Relations, Education, Program), please contact Chapter President Kim Ehn kmehn@comcast.net



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 on the third Thursday of the month for informative presentations. Bird Walks are led on the Saturday following to sites that highlight the great diversity of bird-life found on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.  Visit  ACTIVITIES to explore and register for upcoming meetings and bird walks.
Great Birding Opportunities
Members have a great diversity of birding sites to visit in Porter and Lake Counties.  These sites host more bird species than anywhere else in Indiana.  Many birding sites are National Audubon recognized Important Bird Areas. Read more about the great BIRDING SITES to visit.

Dunes-Calumet Audubon Merchandise

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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
 
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