Audubon's Goose Pond Birding Weekend 2026

Join Indiana Audubon for a full weekend of spring migration at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area and nearby Greene Sullivan State Forest. This is not just another May bird walk. It is Global Big Day weekend on eBird, when birders around the world log species to create a real time snapshot of migration. We will be adding our birds to the global tally while chasing some of the best diversity southern Indiana has to offer.

Goose Pond and surrounding habitats cover nearly 20,000 acres of wetlands, prairies, and forest. Habitat restoration here has transformed the area into one of Indiana’s premier birding destinations. Our goal is to top 100 species for the weekend while enjoying the full migration experience, from early morning chorus to evening woodcocks, nightjars, and maybe even an owl.

Saturday begins early at the Goose Pond Visitor Center, followed by a full day in the field and a boxed lunch in Linton. If we are close to key targets, we may bird into Sunday morning to boost our list and contribute even more to Global Big Day totals. Trip leader Richard Garrett brings years of experience birding Goose Pond and beyond, and currently seves s the Indiana Audubon Board President.

Expected highlights may include Bald Eagle, Northern Bobwhite, Chuck-will’s-widow, King Rail, Black necked Stilt, Black Tern, Least Tern, American Bittern, Bell’s Vireo, Marsh Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow breasted Chat, Prothonotary Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Blue Bunting, and plenty more.

For trip logistics questions, don’t hesitate to ask Richard Garrett ([email protected]). Indiana Audubon's recommended lodging is at the Days Inn Sullivan. Birding Friday and Saturday night can go past 10pm ET.

Registration is required and space is limited to keep the group small and engaging. Registration fees include all guiding via caravan and Subway boxed lunch on Saturday. Participants are responsible for transportation, lodging (if needed), and other meals during the trip.

There may be up to one mile of walking, at a slow to moderate pace, on potentially wet soil and grass levees. Much of Goose Pond is birded near the various roadside pull offs, with 1/4 mile or less walking usually. Participants are never far from their vehicle. Expect uneven ground and potentially wet conditions. Waterproof footwear is recommended. The parking lot is loose stone and gravel.

• Indiana Audubon coordination and trip logistics before and during the trip.
• Professional bird guiding throughout Goose Pond FWA and nearby sites Friday evening, Saturday, including evening birding, and Sunday morning.
• Box lunch on Saturday.

• Indiana Audubon Member: $164.00 per person*
• Non-IAS Member: $214.00 per person*

Photo: Sora by Jason Jablonski. Dickcissel by Shari McCollough

• 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.

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