The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary welcomes everyone to enjoy a weekend of birding, learning, and great fellowship with friends. Join us for the weekend! The MGBS is the flagship property owned by the Indiana Audubon Society, Inc. With over 700 acres of property, participants can walk the many trails, enjoy welcoming back the migrating birds, and celebrate spring! Camping is available for IAS members free of charge in the MGBS campground. All formal events will be held on Saturday.
The Gathering Events on Saturday
7 AM – 8AM – HOT COFFEE, PANCAKES, BACON, FRESH FRUIT MARKLE BARN
Please join us while we start the day with a warm breakfast of pancakes, oatmeal, bacon, eggs and fresh
fruit. Bird friendly coffee and juice will also be provided.
7:30-8:30 AM – MORNING BIRD HIKES WITH AMY KEARNS & BRAD BUMGARDNER
Amy Kearns and Brad Bumgardner will lead a duo of morning bird hikes. The first hike will begin at Markle Barn and end at the wetland where the bird banding station is located, while the second hike will feature Mary Gray’s spring warblers and focus on seeking out these specific neo-tropical migrants.
7:30 AM – BIRD BANDING AT THE WETLAND WITH AMY WILMS
Amy Wilms will band birds at the wetland. First net run will occur at 8:30 AM. Note, the morning bird hike will end at the banding station in time for the first net check. It is not only the coolest thing to have a bird in the hand, but it is also cool to watch Amy handle and band them. Please visit the station and enjoy feathered friends up close.
10:45 AM – PRESENTATION – TROPICAL BIRDING BY JOHN VELASQUEZ
Please stop by and visit with John as he shares his birding experiences in the tropics. Tropical birding is always remarkable and no doubt his presentation will be delightful as he shares the sights (and perhaps sounds) of birds of Central America. He will explore Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Trinidad, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Belize.
12 PM – LUNCH AT THE BARN
Join us at noon or beyond for a great lunch! Lunch is provided by the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary Committee and is included in your cost to attend our Saturday “Gathering”.
1:00 PM – IAS BOARD MEETING WITH RYAN SLACK, IAS PRESIDENT
Members are welcome to attend.
2:00 PM – SHADE GROWN COFFEE WITH CETH WILLIAMS – A YOUNG BIRDER’S PRESENTATION
PRESENTER: Ceth Williams
Why is shade grown coffee important to the environment? Find out why…and more with Ceth!
3:00 PM – HISTORY OF MARY GRAY BIRD SANCTUARY WITH CARL WILMS
Carl has uncovered more of the rich history of the Sanctuary. Come and enjoy a journey through the past with Carl as he shares new information about the Sanctuary and its previous owners.
4:00 PM – THE SCIENCE OF BIRD SOUNDS WITH BRAD BUMGARDNER
Why do birds make sounds, what do they mean, and what can we learn from tuning into the noises our feathered friends make? Join Brad for a fun look at the latest research that bird sounds are teaching us.
5:00 PM – DINNER – LOCATION – AROUND A CAMPFIRE
Let’s end the day around the campfire and enjoy warm food and fireside chats as we recap a day at the Mary Gray.