We are on a birding adventure and we are going to learn about it with June Koehler to learn about what it is that she is trying to do on the Indiana birding trail.

So do you describe yourself as an ordinary birder?

I think that's what you said.

I'm just an ordinary birder.

But I think you have an extraordinary goal.

Why don't you tell us about that goal?

What is it you're trying to do?

Well, I am trying to visit all of the sites that are designated on the Indiana birding trail and hopefully do it within the next few years, because it's going to take a while because they're scattered throughout the state of Indiana.

So the Indiana birding trail lists, I think, over 60 sites now.

Right.

And there's a publication that lists all of the great parks that were nominated and selected to talk a little bit about how to get to the site, what birds you might see some of the trail maps are even in there.

I bet you're using this little booklet.

I live in that book, but you can also find all the information on the Web site at Indiana Birding Trail Dot org.

And we know that we're at Saint Patrick's County Park, which is one of the sites on the Indiana Birding Trail But how did you decide that you were going to try to visit all of the sites?

Like how did you get that goal in your head?

Well, I had seen the sign for the Indiana birding trail at Ben Krohn restoration area, but I didn't really know what it was.

I didn't make the Indiana Doonesbury Festival this year while scrolling through the stored goodies available.

And I saw the guide.

I thought, oh, that's what that is.

So I ordered it.

And then when it came, I saw that it was stuff that was statewide and I thought I newly retired.

I have the time.

Why would I not do it?

You know, instead of just driving around hoping to see something interesting, I have a specific destination.

I have a little information about what to expect.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And it just thought I just thought it seemed like a fun thing to try to do.

And you get to Bird and see some really interesting properties.

Yes.

So we're going to talk a little bit more about that, but I want to do some birding with you.

So how about if we go into the park there's a nice little sunny spot.

It's a great fall morning.

There's lots of little birds.

Move around.

Let's see what we can find.

Good idea.

All right, let's go with our goldfinch.

Oh, yeah.

A group of goldfinches is called a charm.

I love that.

It's perfect for long.

I didn't know that.

Yeah, I right so we got a nice mix with emerging goldfinches and then a nice little flock of bluebirds.

I think sometimes people don't realize bluebirds often will spend the winter with us.

Oh, looking at all the goldfinches.

That's great.

Good.

Sunny spot.

You know that beautiful blue sky.

Sometimes we'll call that a bluebird sky.

Perfect.

Perfect.

We are bluebirds and goldfinches.

There.

Take a look Nice.

You can hear them chattering.

That's pretty cool.

Yeah.

So you tell me, how many sites have you visited so far?

So far I've been to 21.

Oh, my gosh.

That's a chunk.

Quite a few.

I started in July, so I've been doing it for four months.

But all of the ones I've been to are within about two to two and a half hours of soft bands.

So we have a lot up here.

We do is a real concentration of the birding sites in the northern part, but there's some really amazing ones down south.

Those are just going to take you maybe a little, you know, a couple of days you'll have to travel down.

Yeah.

Tell me about some of the sites that you've been to.

I've been county parks.

State parks is it a mix?

What have they been like?

I've been to County Parks and Fish and Wildlife areas.

The Fish and Wildlife areas are pretty amazing because some of them are really big.

Yeah, you could do you can do a lot of birding by car.

Some of them have some other interesting things within the property themselves, like Chain of Lakes has the Stanleys School.

It's a one room schoolhouse there, which is kind of fun.

It was closed when I was there, but you can see the outside.

It's a really cool building.

Yeah, excellent.

And Kankakee Sands has bison herd and they just added some bison to the herd.

So it is going to be fun to see.

So you're adventure in some ways has been not only about birds and birding, but also just exploring the sights.

Right, right.

Well, speaking of exploring, there's a great little wetland here at St Patrick's County Park and usually there's some words down there.

So if we had that way.

Perfect.

Okay.

And you were down here before you redheaded woodpeckers.

Where have you gotten red headed?

Woodpeckers.

Because I've gotten red and pollinated.

Backyard.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Not that cool.

This is a great little spot because there's lots of shrubs and berries and a lot of the birds that come down from the fall or in the fall are feeding on these little berries.

So great, great little wetland, lots of shrubs for migrating birds.

So it's really fun.

You know, the birding trail was established by Indiana Audubon.

And then I think there's a group of advisors that help pick the sites when you're picking the sites to go to is it just based on your schedule or like you wake up in the morning and go, I'm going to go here to there.

How do you do that?

It's kind of based on how far away they are and like the guidebook says, if it's the fourth season birding sites of, you know, some are better in other times of the year.

So I kind of base it on the schedule and the location and what I can expect to see in.

Good point, right?

Because sometimes you could go to a site, but if it's not known for birds in that season, yeah, I didn't think about that.

So we kind of got a time where it is that you're going to go.

Has anything stood out for you in terms of, you know, great things that you've seen or anything that you've like really appreciated?

Once you've been on some of the sites?

Well, I appreciate the diversity of habitat that we have in northern Indiana or just in Indiana, period.

Right.

I mean, we don't have the spectacular scenery that you have out West, but we have great habitat for Bird.

We do a great habitat.

And I think one of the other fun things that you're doing along the way is you're keeping a bird list and you're also sharing and there's some Facebook birding groups that you've been sharing.

Right.

Right.

And so I, I think that's how you found out that you're doing this because you're saying this is my 21st site and here's what I saw.

But you're also kind of making a collection of photos, right?

Mm hmm.

Yeah.

So what have you, what do you take pictures of?

We're just going to share some of them here.

I take pictures of the entrance, sign in a birding trail sign if I can find it, and then just whatever birds I can catch on my phone that doesn't take the best pictures.

Bird take memories.

Exactly.

And sometimes just nice scenery.

Just beautiful locations.

Yes.

I'm really pretty shot because as you said, the habitat and then the parks themselves are the natural areas themselves are kind of fun.

If there was a beginning birder or maybe a birder who doesn't think they're very knowledgeable or experienced, what would you say to encourage them about exploring the birding trail?

I would say if you can find an experienced birder to go with, that's great.

If you can't set up by yourself, do the best you can with a guidebook and just for safety's sake, though, if you're going to set up by yourself, tell somebody where you're going.

And with texting and things, you can tell them when you arrive and when you're leaving and things like that just to be on the safe side, it's better to do that.

Good point.

Good.

But just do the best you can and have fun and have fun.

You know, sometimes, as you say, it's just about experiencing the site.

So the birding trail gets folks out to see birds, but also to see some great natural areas.

Right.

Well, thanks for being an inspiration.

I think you have a great goal.

And I'm going to keep following you and see how you do taking up all the sites because you're well on your way.

And I think it's a great adventure.

Well, thank you.

Thank you, John.

Remember, you can find your own outdoor elements when you visit area parks and natural area.

We'll see you soon.