Bird enthusiasts can celebrate the state’s bicentennial by trying to find and log 200 bird species in 2016 as part of the Indiana Bicentennial Birding Big Year (IBBBY). IBBBY starts Jan. 1 and continues through mid-December. Birders who find at least 100 species will received a commemorative IBBY sticker or decal provided by the Indiana Audubon Society. Birders who find at least 200 species will also be entered in a drawing for Indiana DNR Annual Entrance Permits, DNR Inns Gift Cards, complimentary Indiana Audubon memberships, Eagle Optic binoculars, tickets to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and more. Because 2016 is also the 100th anniversary of Indiana State Parks and the National Park Service, 100 of the 200 species must have been found on an Indiana State Park (or reservoir) or National Park site in Indiana. State Fish & Wildlife Areas, State Forests and State Nature Preserves (not located inside a state park) do not count toward these criteria. Participants must log their checklists and download their year list into ebird.com by Dec. 16. IBBBY is an official Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project. Additional sponsorship comes from the Robert Cooper Audubon Society. For more information, call the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center at (219) 926-1390 or visit indianaaudubon.org.
