News & Events
Patoka River NWR 30th Anniversary Celebration
September 7, 2024
Public Invited to Join 30th Anniversary Celebration
The public is invited to join the Patoka River NWR in celebrating their 30th Anniversary on Saturday, September 7th, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM CT at the Snakey Point Marsh Complex on the Refuge. Stop by to learn about the Refuge, what has been accomplished in these 30 years, and what is to come in the future.
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Enjoy refreshments and take a walk on the many trails that are available to explore. The Refuge is truly worth celebrating and its right in your own "backyard".
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Driving directions to Snakey Point: From SR 64 east out of Oakland City, IN, turn north onto CR 1275 E, then east onto CR 75 S. Next, turn northeast onto CR 1300 E and follow that to Snakey Point.
October Big Day
October 12, 2024
Join in This Annual Global Birding Event
The public is invited to join the October Big Day on October 12, 2024. Participation is easy--Just watch birds at your favorite birding spot or even your own backyard and enter your observations via eBird. Your observations help scientists better understand birds and their distribution and abundance.
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Details can be found at ebird.org/octoberbigday.
Sycamore Land Trust Sponsor-a-Preserve Campaign
Summer 2024
EAS to sponsor Columbia Mine Preserve
EAS is being recognized by the Sycamore Land Trust as a sponsor for the Columbia Mine Preserve in their Sponsor-a-Preserve Campaign for 2024. The campaign is designed to help Sycamore Land Trust to protect land, restore habitat, and maintain hiking trails throughout their network of preserves in Indiana.
So please visit the Columbia Mine Preserve and you should see a sign at the entrance of the preserve that recognizes EAS in assisting the Sycamore Land Trust in their conservation efforts. Columbia Mine Preserve is part of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area.
Chasing Melody Project
Summer 2024
EAS has adopted a Motus-tagged Wood Thrush to track
EAS has adopted a Wood Thrush through the Chasing Melody Indiana Wood Thrush Conservation Project. The adoption of our bird, along with many other similar adoptions, will help to advance our understanding of the migration patterns, longevity, and population trends of a bird of conservation concern.
Our bird was banded at Hovey Lake FWA on June 11, 2024 with a tag ID of 88757. To track our bird you can scan the QR code provided to the left (or go to https://motus.org/data/project?id=788) Tap or click the table link next to the number of available tags registered for this project, then search for your Motus tag ID. Motus stations may only download data seasonally, so real time updates may not always be available. Please note that EAS has a program scheduled for September 17, 2024 where the Chasing Melody Project will be discussed.
Bird Name Changes are in the Works
2024
The American Ornithological Union is Proposing Changing Bird Names that Honor People
The American Ornithological Union (AOU) plans to change the English names of bird species named after people, as well as bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary. Some changes have already occurred, such as, McCown's longspur renamed to the Thick-billed Longspur and the Old Squaw Duck now known officially as the Long-tailed Duck. As many as 70-80 additional bird species in the United States and Canada are being considered by the AOU for formal name changes. Reasons for the changes are outlined in an NPR article and you can click here to read more. So, look forward to bird name changes to occur in the near future.
Bird Name Changes are in the Works
2024
The American Ornithological Union is Proposing Changing Bird Names that Honor People
The American Ornithological Union (AOU) plans to change the English names of bird species named after people, as well as bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary. Some changes have already occurred, such as, McCown's longspur renamed to the Thick-billed Longspur and the Old Squaw Duck now known officially as the Long-tailed Duck. As many as 70-80 additional bird species in the United States and Canada are being considered by the AOU for formal name changes. Reasons for the changes are outlined in an NPR article and you can click here to read more. So, look forward to bird name changes to occur in the near future.
Making Your Windows Safer For Birds
2024
A Guide is Available to Reduce the Number of Bird Collisions with Windows
The Bird Window Collision Working Group--a collaboration between Acopian Center for Ornithology, Muhlenberg College, local Audubon chapters and the Audubon Pennsylvania--have produced a brochure that covers what you can do to help reduce the number of window bird collisions. It provides information on what works well and what doesn't work in reducing collisions and making your windows safer for birds. You can download the brochure here.