CONNERSVILLE, Ind. -- Indiana Audubon operates two banding stations where people can see Northern Saw-whet Owl research up close. This fall, four public programs are scheduled at Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton and Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in Connersville. More than 1,300 visitors are expected.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl, Indiana’s smallest owl, breeds in Canada and the Upper Midwest before heading south in the fall. Most saw-whet owl migration clusters along the Great Lakes shoreline, so the Indiana Dunes station reliably captures owls each year. The owls’ movement deeper into Indiana isn’t well documented. Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, about 150 miles southeast of the lakeshore, is helping fill in that part of the story.

Visitors at both stations can experience that story firsthand. Indiana Audubon’s saw-whet owl research is part of Project Owlnet, a network of more than 100 banding stations across North America. The project has run in the Indiana Dunes since 2009 and at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary since 2013. Every owl captured at a Project Owlnet station is weighed, measured and fitted with a small, numbered leg band before release. These efforts help track migration timing and population trends across the network.

“There’s something pretty special about seeing one of these tiny owls up close and then watching it disappear back into the night,” said Brad Bumgardner, Indiana Audubon’s executive director. “By making our Saw-whets and S’mores programs free, we hope more families can experience that moment while learning how this research helps us understand their migration.”

Between hourly net checks, guests at both Saw-whets and S’mores programs can roast s’mores by a fire outdoors at the Indiana Dunes State Park’s Duneside Shelter or indoors at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary’s Brooks Hall. For those who want a more hands-on experience, Saw-whet Owl Banding: Behind the Scenes at the Indiana Dunes and the Saw-whet Owl Banding Workshop at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary offer smaller group sessions. Registered participants help set up the nets and join the banding team for the hourly checks. Only trained, permitted banders handle the owls.

Owl captures are never guaranteed. Some nights the nets stay empty. Many guests sign up for multiple nights to increase their chances. Businesses, scout troops and other private groups can arrange a visit by emailing info@indianaaudubon.org.

Programs run Oct. 16 through Nov. 21. Full dates, pricing and registration are listed below and at indianaaudubon.org/events. Advance registration is required. Owl adoptions and Project Owlnet merchandise are available at inaudubon.square.site, with adoptions opening once banding begins.

Event Details

Indiana Dunes State Park (Chesterton)

Saw-whets & S’mores. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 16 through Nov. 15, at the Duneside Shelter. Free admission with paid park entry. Register at dunesolwnet2026.eventbrite.com.

Saw-whet Owl Banding: Behind the Scenes. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 28 through Nov. 8. $55.20 for adults, $38.19 for youth ages 8 to 17. Park entry not included. Register at dunsolwnetbts26.eventbrite.com.

Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary (Connersville)

Saw-whets & S’mores. Saturday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 21. Free admission. Register at mgbssmores.eventbrite.com.

Saw-whet Owl Banding Workshop. Friday, Nov. 13, and Friday, Nov. 20. Limited to 25 attendees. $28.19 for Indiana Audubon members, $39.19 for non-members, $7.18 for youth 17 and under. Register at mgbsowlbandingworkshop.eventbrite.com.

About Indiana Audubon

Founded in 1898, Indiana Audubon is the state’s oldest conservation organization, independent of the National Audubon Society. Through conservation, education, and research, the organization engages communities in the enjoyment of birds in their habitats. Mission-driven programs and the 735-acre Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in Connersville promote awareness of bird diversity and their ecological significance.