Indiana Audubon will host the return of its northern saw-whet owl banding demonstrations at the Indiana Dunes this fall, continuing a tradition that blends science and public education in one of the Midwest’s key owl migration hotspots.

The program opens with two free nights at the Duneside Shelter in Indiana Dunes State Park on Oct. 17 and 18. Ticketed demonstrations, promoted as the "Saw-whets & S'mores" series, will then run Oct. 23-Nov. 15 at the same location. Attendance is limited to 50 participants each evening, and registration is available at sawwhetdunes25.eventbrite.com.

Registered participants learn about ongoing research, observe saw-whet owls if captured, and enjoy a campfire with s'mores when weather allows. Demonstrations begin at 7 p.m. Central time from Oct. 16-Nov. 1 and shift to 6 p.m. beginning Nov. 2. In 2024, the Indiana Dunes station banded 93 owls, bringing its 16-year total to more than 800. Proceeds from ticket sales support Indiana Audubon’s Project Owlnet research, part of a continental network of more than 100 banding stations studying owl migration.

Indiana Audubon will again partner with Humane Indiana Wildlife, which will bring its education owls to the Duneside Shelter on select nights (Oct. 17-18, 24-25, 31; Nov. 1, 7-8). These encounters let visitors see owls up close and learn more about them, even if wild saw-whets are not captured.

Special behind-the-scenes experiences are also offered on select nights for $50 (adults) and $30 (youth ages 8-17). Participants help with net setup, takedown, and owl checks. Registration is available at owlnetbehindthescenes25.eventbrite.com.

For more event details and registration, visit indianaaudubon.org/events. Contact Indiana Audubon at info@indianaaudubon.org or 765-205-1255 with additional inquiries.

Supporting Conservation Efforts

Local businesses are again stepping up to support bird conservation. Chesterton Feed and Garden Center, 400 Locust St., will host a roundup fundraiser Oct. 1-31, where customers can donate by rounding their purchase totals in support of Indiana Audubon's conservation, education and research programs.