Birds

Bird Feeding Basics

Gibson Woods Saturday, January 21, 2012
1 p.m.
$3 per person
Ages 8+
Registration is required three days in advance. Call 219-844-3188 to register

In the winter, it's always a pleasurable experience to be inside a warm house while watching wild birds outside at the feeder. If you're new to feeding birds, there are many types of seeds and feeders to choose from. Join a Lake County Parks naturalist on a wintry afternoon to learn the basics of feeding birds. Learn about the different birds that you may attract by using the right food and the right feeder. If you like you may even make a feeder to take home.

Winter Bird I.D.

Gibson Woods
Friday, February 17, 2012
10 a.m.
Free
Adult program
Registration is required – 219-844-3188

Many species of birds winter over in northwest Indiana, from small songbirds and waterfowl to various raptors. Join a park naturalist at Gibson Woods to find out what birds you may find and where to look for them. You may be surprised by some of the "unexpected" birds that stay around when conditions are right. If the weather cooperates, we may take a short hike, then return to the building to warm up in the "bird room" while watching the birds at the feeder.

Birding 101 at Gibson Woods in 2012

March 20	Birding Basics/Misc. Songbirds
March 27	Sparrows and Finches
April 3	Waterfowl and Wading Birds
April 10	Shorebirds
April 17	Birds of Prey
April 24	Warblers and other Neo-tropical Migrants

Fee: $30 covers all six workshops.
Class size: Limited to 20 participants so sign up early.
Registration deadline: March 9, 2012. Call Gibson Woods at 219-844-3188.

The Dunes Calumet Audubon Society and the Lake County Parks are sponsoring "Birding 101", six weeks of workshops designed to help birding enthusiasts develop their bird identification skills. This course is an easy way to learn bird identification for aspiring, beginning birders. Those with more experience will find it a good way to review and brush up on the basics.

The first week, bird ID basics will be covered with subsequent classes focusing on different groups of birds. All classes are on Tuesday evening. Doors open at 6 p.m. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. A field trip will be offered later in the course. Join fellow bird enthusiasts for a chance to learn more about our feathered friends.

Woodcock Watch

Oak Ridge Prairie
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
7:30 p.m. Meet at the shelter
For more information or to sign up call 219-844-3188
Please no groups for this activity

The American Woodcock is best known for the male's spectacular flight displays over its breeding grounds. These displays occur at dusk and again at dawn. The birds circle up to hundreds of feet high and then descend in a zigzag flight. Once they have landed, their distinctive "peent" calls penetrate the silence of the evening or early morning hours. Anyone who has witnessed the flight of the woodcock recognizes it as one of the earliest signs of spring. Some woodcocks return as early as February and "perform" while snow is still on the ground. Join us at dusk as we stake out an area to usher in spring with our fascinating crepuscular friend, the American Woodcock. Registration is required for this free program. Please call 219-844-3188 for more information and to sign up.

Bird Count

Spring Bird Count 2012

Pre-count Meeting	Gibson Woods	Tuesday, May 8, 2012	6:30 pm
Bird Count	Countywide	Saturday, May 12, 2012	All Day

The spring bird count is one of the favorite activities of birders nationwide. It is a true marathon of birding that challenges the beginner as well as the most experienced. Birders will be out in force throughout Lake County on Saturday, May 9 to try to find as many species as possible. Each team will try to check as many habitats as they can to try to increase their numbers. All the teams as a whole will try to find more species than last year to break their own county record. Territories will be assigned and teams will be assembled. More counters are needed to cover areas all over Lake County including areas within the Lake County Parks. Don't be intimidated if you are a beginner, you can be teamed up with those who have more experience. Feeder watchers are also needed for those who prefer armchair birding. Call 219-844-3188 for more information.

Bird Migration Hike
Gibson Woods • Friday, May 11 • 8 a.m. • Ages 10 + • Free • 219-844-3188 to register • Individual sign-ups only (please no groups)

Many birds returning in the spring are actually considered tropical birds. Ornithologists believe that these neo-tropical birds are “spreading out” in the spring to find breeding space after spending the winter in their true home, the tropics. Birds like warblers, vireos, tanagers, and orioles are among the neo-tropical migrants that can be seen in our area in early to mid-May. Natural areas like Gibson Woods are critically important for these migrants to find the right kinds of foods that help sustain them during their long journey north to their breeding grounds. Join a Lake County Parks naturalist along with other bird enthusiasts to seek out and learn about these colorful migrants. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, and a field guide. Bird field guides are available at the Gibson Woods gift shop.

Birds, Birds, Birds

Many species of birds pass through Northwest Indiana during the spring and fall migration and many stop to rest and feed in natural areas, like Gibson Woods, that contain insects, caterpillars and other sources of food that help sustain migrating birds on their journey. That means we get a chance to see many colorful birds along the trails and at our feeders.

A wonderful way to spend some time, especially in late April and May, is to walk slowly along the trails or sit quietly in the wildlife observation room at the Gibson Woods Environmental Center. You'll likely see Baltimore Orioles, Hummingbirds, bright yellow Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and many other gorgeous birds.

While you're at the park, don't forget to check out the displays, including an impressive collection of taxidermy mounts of birds and other animals inside the center. The animal mounts, labeled with names and information, allow visitors to get a good look at many birds and animals that they wouldn't be able to get close to in the wild. None of the animals were killed for display purposes. All came by way of donations to the park department for educational purposes.

For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)

Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30