2025 COS Guide to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
Willow Flycatcher. Indiana Dunes State Park. July 10, 2021. Photo by Walter Marcisz.
Registration opens March 3 for the annual festival of birding and nature.
We might still be in the throes of winter, but it is time to start planning for one of the highlights of spring migration: the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival (IDBF), hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society from May 15–18.
The yearly event showcases the incredible biodiversity of the Indiana Dunes and includes hundreds of guided field trips throughout the region, expert talks, and hands-on experiences that illustrate what makes this migratory hotspot on the Mississippi Flyway so extraordinary.
What to expect
We asked several local birders what to expect at the festival and share some of their experiences.
COS Board Member Jake Vinsel described the festival as one of the best places in the United States to witness spring migration. Vinsel noted, “The combination of Lake Michigan’s shoreline and the diverse habitats of the dunes create a natural funnel for an incredible variety of warblers, shorebirds, and raptors. Whether you're hoping to see your first Blackburnian Warbler or just soak in the spectacle of thousands of birds moving through, this festival puts you in the middle of the action.”
Matt Igleski, Executive Director of the Chicago Bird Alliance, described the festival vibe as warm and welcoming. He is a particular fan of the guided van trips and recalled one remarkable trip where they spotted a Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Warbler, Cerulean Warbler and Barred Owl—amazingly checking off every bird on the group’s wish list. Though the birding is memorable, he noted that the event is not just about the birds. He reflected “the festival offers a chance to really disconnect and to build community over a shared beer or serendipitous discovery.”
Vinod Babu fondly remembers getting his Bank Swallow “lifer” at the festival. This COS Board member emphasized that the IDBF is for bird fans of every experience level, from absolute beginners to the advanced birder. He shared, “whether you are up for a full day’s excursion that starts at dawn or prefer many of shorter walks that begin at the Nature Center, there is something for everyone.”
Planning a trip
Download your Festival Guide to review detailed information about event locations, trips, workshops, and speakers. Each event entry indicates the pace of birding, the type of field trip. and other helpful information like restroom availability or recommendations for beginning birders.
Igleski offered some planning advice for first-time festival goers. He noted that the trips can fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register. Have a “plan B” in case your first choice is not available. Lastly, make sure you save time for the social events and exploring the vendor marketplace to test out the latest in optics and other gear.
To give you a sense of the breadth of the programming, below are just a few of the sessions available:
Seeking the intensity of a “Big Day” all before lunch? Check out the fast and furious Dunes Big Morning trip with a goal to score 100 species.
Prefer something slower paced and relaxing? Sign up for a workshop on Forest Bathing to learn the science behind the buzz and experience how it can enrich your birding practice.
Curious about what lives in a bog? Join an excursion to Pinhook Bog—a site normally closed to the public—to bird among the tamarack, pitcher plants and blueberries.
Want to represent the Land of Lincoln in a friendly competition? Illinois takes on Indiana in dueling Big Morning excursions. Which group will earn bragging rights by finding the most species?
Looking to hone your raptor ID skills? Join the Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and their resident hawks, owls, and falcons to see subtle distinctions in body size, wing shape, markings firsthand.
Love birds and modern architecture? Join a bilingual walk to a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home and gardens.
Four days not enough? There are also pre-fest trips available on May 14, including a behind-the-scenes visit to the Chicago Field Museum, a trip to Kankakee Sands and a “Dunes after dark” excursion.
The festival’s keynote speaker is Sacha Dench. Dench is a conservationist, compelling storyteller, and passionate advocate for migratory species. Her “Flight of the Swans” expedition had her fly a paramotor from Russia to the United Kingdom to inspire action to save the Bewick’s Swan.
A little about the Indiana Dunes
Two different parks make up the Indiana Dunes: Indiana Dunes State Park (about 2,000 acres) and Indiana Dunes National Park (more than 13,000 acres). The diverse ecosystem includes oak savannas, dunes, wetlands, and prairies. More than 370 species of birds have been recorded at the Dunes, making it one of the top birding destinations in the region.
Register here for the festival
Registration opens to the public on March 3. Festival tickets include access to register for trips and free admission to afternoon presentations, headliners, the marketplace, the youth and family birding day, and entry to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Field trips, most evening socials, and workshops require additional fees.
Check your calendar, dive deep into the Festival Guidebook and build your unique plan to participate in one of the most distinctive birding experiences in our region.