​​Upcoming Events and News

IN-PERSON PROGRAM:  eBird for Beginners
Log Birds, Explore Nature, Help Science!
Thursday, March 20th - 7:00 pm CDT

Have you ever spotted a cool bird and wondered what it was? Or wanted to keep track of all the birds you see? eBird makes it easy! Join us or a fun, beginner-friendly session where we’ll show you how to use this free app to log your sightings, explore local bird hotspots, and even contribute to real scientific research.

Our Field Trip Coordinator and Board Member, Julie Bonnema, will cover the basics—how to record birds, submit checklists, and navigate the app—while also touching on advanced features like sound recordings and data exploration for those who want to dig deeper. No tech experience? No problem! There will be someone on hand to help you get started.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow birders and learn how to use eBird to enhance your birding experience while contributing to bird science and conservation!  No registration necessary!

Why Use eBird?  It’s More Than Just a List!

Beyond keeping track of your own birding adventures, using eBird helps scientists and conservationists understand bird populations, migration patterns, and habitat changes over time. Every checklist you submit contributes valuable data to research efforts worldwide. Your sightings can help track species declines, identify important bird habitats, and even inform conservation policies. In short—your birdwatching can make a difference!

Whether you’re a casual backyard birder or an aspiring expert, eBird is a great tool to enhance your birdwatching adventures. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to talk about birds? Come join us and let’s get birding!
Gibson Woods Nature Center
6201 Parrish Avenue
Hammond, IN 46323
IN-PERSON PROGRAM:  Birding Bingo!
Monday, March 24th - 6:30 pm CDT

Our friends at the Westchester Public Library in Chesterton are hosting a Birding Bingo, and we will be there to assist with the fun. Registration is required.  You can also call 219-926-7696.
Westchester Public Library
200 W. Indiana Avenue
​Chesterton, IN
LOOKING AHEAD
Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 pm CST - Chicago Black-crowned Night Heron Project - More details coming soon, but you can learn about the project HERE. This FREE program will be streamed via Zoom and Facebook Live.

May 15th through May 18th, 2025 - Native Plant Sale - A fundraiser to support our education and conservation projects!
Located at the Migration Marketplace Tent, Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N State Road 49, Chesterton 
More info, including this years available plants, will be coming soon.

​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  UPCOMING PROGRAMS 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 LOCATIONS.
Upcoming Bird Walks  ​
Walks
Date(s)
Time
Where
Register
Winter Maritime Wanders​
March 1st, 2025
8:30am CST
Portage Lakefront Park
Join Us!
See our Events and Trips page to learn more
​about any of our upcoming field trips, and to register!
Support us by Shopping for Dunes-Calumet Audubon Merchandise.
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FEATURED BIRDING SITE

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve
Tucked away in the heart of the industrial region of northwest Indiana is an island of nature with some very unusual features. This 131-acre parcel of virtually "undisturbed" land is known as Gibson Woods Nature Preserve.
Gibson Woods is one of the last sizeable remnant of high quality dune and swale topography remaining in Lake County. Because of the widespread urbanization and industrialization in Northwest Indiana, this type of topography and its associated natural communities have been almost entirely eliminated.  Today over 130 species of birds have been recorded at Gibson Woods.  Typical time to bird site: 30-90 minutes.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Follow us for the latest news from DCAS, as well as field trip and meeting updates from around the region.
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
​Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society
​P.O. Box 36
Wheeler, IN 46393