WINGS Mini-Expo set for Sunday

Jan. 20—Monroe Lake has been a partner in WINGS since its inception in 2020. The goal of WINGS, which stands for Women in Nature Gaining Skills, is to encourage and empower women (ages 16+) with the skills and confidence they need to partake in outdoor recreation activities in the south-central Indiana area. Each WINGS event features women-led hands-on training, with the goal of building a community of women interested in outdoor recreation.

To kick off 2024, WINGS is holding a Mini-Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at The Commons Building at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington. No registration is required! Women are invited to drop by for a "sampling" of past and future event topics: foraging, fishing and casting, tent camping, archery, birding, seed sowing, and stand-up-paddleboarding. The Mini-Expo is open to anyone interested in learning more about WINGS, as well as past participants who want a sneak peek at the 2024 schedule.

Eagles Over Monroe

"Eagles over Monroe" is an annual event celebrating Monroe Lake's unique history with the bald eagle, as well as its designation as a "hotspot" on the Indiana Birding Trail. Join the folks at Lake Monroe for four special days of programs highlighting bald eagles and other birds! Monroe Lake played a critical role in returning our nation's symbol to our state's skies. Thanks to the eagle reintroduction program at Monroe Lake in the late 1980s, Indiana is now home to over 350 nesting pairs of bald eagles today.

This year's event is co-sponsored by the Sassafras Audubon Society and Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington.

Self-Guided Bald Eagle Driving Tour

Create your own self-guided driving tour during the peak of eagle-viewing season! Consult our online map for the best viewing locations and times, grab a pair of binoculars and a warm drink, and head out to Monroe Lake on your own schedule to look for eagles. Access the online, interactive map at bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide.

* Thursday, Feb. 1

9:30 a.m. Woods and Fields Birding Walk, Limited to 20 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. bit.ly/eom2024-woodsandfields 9 spots open

2 p.m. Bald Eagle Hacking Tower Hike, Limited to 20 people, registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. . bit.ly/eom2024-hackingtower FULL (waitlist available at registration link)

* Friday, Feb. 2

3 p.m. Build a Bird Feeder Workshop, $5/person, limited to 16 people (ages 12+), registration REQUIRED by Jan. 30. bit.ly/eom2024-feeder 9 spots open

4 to 6 p.m. Warming Station OPEN, bit.ly/eom2024-warming

5 to 6 p.m. Sunset Eagle Watch, No registration needed — just stop by! bit.ly/eom2024-sunset1

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Till next time,

Jack

For VIEW additional birding events go to: greensburgdailynews.com.

Contact Jack Spaulding by writing to this publication, or by e-mail to jackspaulding1971@outlook.com.