Sand, Surf, and Shorebirds Field Trip

Shorebirds rule, but they can be awfully darn hard to find. As summer conditions wane and fall winds bring migrating shorebirds south, the various lakefront sites throughout norhtwest Indiana can seasonally host these long-distance migrants. We'll seek out an assortment of migrating shorebirds based on current weather conditions, starting with Michigan City Harbor this morning.

Registered participants will meet at the Michigan City Harbor, in the Washington Park beach parking lot, at 7 a.m. CT / 8 a.m. ET for a morning of shorebird pursuit. You'll join Indiana Audubon (IAS) member and guide Julie Bonnema in the parking lot to see what you can find.

After Michigan City Harbor, the group will venture West along Lake Michigan's shore to search additional shorebird hotspots. Possible stops may include Miller Beach, Marquette Park, 129th Street, and the Little Calumet River.

We're in the window for a wide selection of shorebirds, from larger Willets, Whimbrels, and Godwits, and smaller Red Knots, Baird's Sandpipers, and plovers. We'll conclude around 11 a.m. CT, and may visit a few other lakefront sites during the morning depending on the birding conditions.

Participants should be prepared to walk in the sand dunes at some locations. All participants must read and agree to the IAS Field Trip Release to participate in IAS led events and trips.

This field trip costs $5 for Indiana Audubon members and $10 for non-members and features birding in Michigan City, one of the organization's Bird Town Indiana communities.

• Birding Pace: Fun and Relaxed.
• Physical Requirements: Light to medium. This outing involves walking on both sandy beach with gentle to moderate rolling dunes and paved concrete breakwall surfaces. 1-2 miles of walking and potential sun exposure.
• Birding Skill Level: Beginner to mid-Level. Extended looks at both common and uncommon species will be available to study identification and for photography.

Willet photo by Jason Jablonski, Red Knot photo by Ryan Sanderson.

• Full refunds are provided for Indiana Audubon events, field trips, and public programs canceled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
• Events, field trips, and public programs under $10 per person (excluding processing fees) are non-refundable, as proceeds support our work.
• Refunds for events, field trips, and programs over $10 per person (excluding processing fees) require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Refunds for Indiana Master Naturalist programs at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Separate cancellation policies apply to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and field trips, events, and public programs co-hosted by other organizations.

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Michigan City, Festivals in Michigan City, Nonprofit events in Michigan City.