Indiana Audubon Sparrow ID Field Trip: Goose Pond FWA

This field trip is your chance to join Indiana Audubon in the field for an in-person sparrow outing at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). It’s open to the public and also offered as a companion field trip for participants in the virtual .

Goose Pond FWA is one of Indiana’s premier birding destinations, with a rich mix of wetlands, grasslands, open fields, and managed habitat that can be excellent for fall sparrows. October is a strong window for sparrow diversity, and this outing will give participants a chance to apply what they learned in the virtual workshop while birding one of the state’s most productive fall locations.

This trip will focus on field identification of sparrows in real habitat conditions. Participants may encounter species such as Savannah, Lincoln’s, White-crowned, Song, LeConte’s, and Nelson’s Sparrows, depending on weather, water levels, vegetation, and bird movement.

The trip will be led by guide John Voigt, who birds Goose Pond regularly and knows the property well. Expect a relaxed morning of birding with frequent stops to scan field edges, wetland margins, and grassy areas for sparrows and other fall migrants.

Registered participants should meet at the Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area Visitor Center parking lot on Saturday, October 10, at 9:00 a.m. ET. The trip officially concludes at 11:30 a.m. back at the Visitor Center, though participants who wish to continue birding as a group afterward, until approximately 1-2 p.m., are welcome to do so.

Registration is required and limited to 20 participants. Event tickets are $10 per person for Indiana Audubon members and $15 per person for non-members, plus Eventbrite's fees. Free for participants of the virtual workshop, using the promo code sent at the time of registration.

If you use Apple's "Hide My Email" feature, forwarding may stop after 30 days, which can block event correspondence. Use a regular email to make sure you receive all event info. We do not add you to our mailing list unless you opt in during registration.

By registering for this field trip, you agree to Indiana Audubon's In-State Field Trip Terms and Conditions. Please review the complete terms before registering.

This outing includes walking on FWA medians and grassy areas. Most walking will be on unpaved surfaces with light elevation changes. Please bring your own binoculars. Spotting scopes and cameras are welcome. Most of the route follows easy walking on grassy levees; however, viewing LeConte's and Nelson's Sparrows may involve off-trail walking through wetter, uneven terrain in the Beehunter Unit 5 area.

This field trip counts toward the , a free yearlong activity. Visit trail sites to earn points, collect badge stickers, and qualify for prizes through seasonal and year-end drawings in 2026.

For any questions about this event email [email protected] or call 765-205-1255. If you require accommodations to participate, please contact us as early as possible. While we may not be able to meet every request, we will make every reasonable effort to do so.