Sharing the joy of birds and nature is at the core of everything we do at Wild Birds Unlimited.
We love playing an active role in the local community by hosting bird walks and giving educational presentations. Call the store to find out what's currently scheduled or stop in to pick up a Park's Event Guide.
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"Outdoor Elements"- For tips on nature projects and ways to help the environment, watch Outdoor Elements with Evie Kirkwood on WNIT Public Television, Sundays at 9am and 12pm, and Wednesdays at 7:30pm.
- Love Creek County Park, MI - Love Creek Nature Center is open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. Watch for pop-birding opportunities for weather related birding on Berrien Birding Club FB page and Michigan Birds Discord.
Local Park Locations:
For great birding locations in Indiana, click this link to check out "The Indiana Birding Trail Guide" and an interactive birding map.
Indiana
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Boot Lake Nature Preserve- 51430 CR 3, Elkhart, IN
- Cobus Creek County Park - 30680 C.R. 8, Elkhart, IN
- River Preserve County Park traces the Elkhart River 4 miles south of Goshen, between Benton and New Paris.
- Bonneyville Mill County Park - 53373 County Road 131, Bristol, IN 46507
- Lieber Nature Preserve - 51602 C.R. 23, Bristol, IN
- Ox Bow County Park - 23033 County Road 45, Goshen, IN 46528
- Ferrettie / Baugo Creek County Park - 57057 Ash Road, Osceola, IN 46561
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Spicer Lake Nature Preserve- 50840 County Line Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552
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Bendix Woods County Park- 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552
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St. Patrick's County Park- 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend, IN 46637
- Beverly D. Crone Restoration Area - Jackson Road and Linden Road, South Bend, IN 46614
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Rum Village Park- 2626 S Gertrude Street, South Bend, Indiana 46614
- Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve - 58111 Crumstown Hwy, South Bend, IN 46619
- Potato Creek State Park- 25601 State Road 4, North Liberty, IN 46554
Michigan
- Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park - 15122 Monkey Run Street, Jones, MI 49061
- Warren Woods State Park - 7120 Elm Valley Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128-8503
- (The Elm Valley Road park entrance is closed during the winter months. As an alternative, visitors can park along Warren Woods Road near the trailhead.)
- Madeline Bertrand County Park - 3038 Adams Road, Niles, MI 49120
- Galien River County Park - 17424 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo, MI 49117
- Love Creek County Park - 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102
Local Park Events Happening Soon
Sunday Nature Hikes at Rum Village in South Bend, IN!
Fall is just around the corner and Rum Village comes to life! Stop by the Rum Village Nature Center for our fall hikes happening every Sunday. Perfect for all ages, our guided tours are the perfect opportunity to see the incredible fall foliage, and animals that call the park home. Check out other fall events happening at Rum Village by clicking here!
When: Sundays, beginning at 2:00pm
Where: Rum Village Park - 2626 S Gertrude Street, South Bend, Indiana 46614
Cost: FREE! Registration is not required!
Contact: Garry Harrington - Director of Rum Village Nature Center - 574-235-9455
Upcoming Sunday fun at or hosted by Rum Village. For more info, contact the Rum Village nature center.
- September 18: The Search for Seven
Let’s play detective! Keep your eyes and ears peeled for seven distinct natural features in the woods. Don’t worry, we’ll teach you about them before we venture out! This is a great activity for the entire family, so bring the kiddos! - September 25: Elbel Hike
Elbel Park and Golf Course is a unique and beautiful property. Because it’s a golf course, you are only able to hike the wooded uplands with a naturalist. Join us being the clubhouse just before 3:00pm for a stunning hike. - October 2: Signs of Fall
Investigate the signs of our changing season. The leaves, falling acorns and salamanders will all be a sight to see.
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Fall Migration Birding Series by South Bend - Elkhart Bird Alliance at St. Joseph County Parks
It's that time of the year to grab binoculars and look for migrating birds! See which fall migrants are returning and what other birds are passing through. On the 9th, meet Carol Goodall, a local bird expert, enthusiast, and park interpreter at the South Bend - Elkhart Bird Alliance Sanctuary. Continue the series at the St. Joseph County Parks. Don't have binoculars? We've got you covered! Registration and payment required by September 2.
Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Location:
- September 16: Spicer Lake Nature Preserve- 50840 County Line Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552
- September 23: Bendix Woods County Park- 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552
- September 30: St. Patrick's County Park- 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend, IN 46637
Contact: 574-654-3155
Email: Call to Register
Cost: $20 per person for series. Registration and payment required by September 2.
Link: Calendar of Events
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Hiking Club at Boot Lake Nature Preserve in Elkhart, IN
Hiking Club meets once per month to hike for health, friends and fun. The hike takes place in a different location each month but is always on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Boot Lake Nature Preserve is the destination for September. Learn about our parks, meet new people and let the fun begin. This hike has mostly flat terrain and is about 2.2 miles in length.
Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Boot Lake Nature Preserve
- 51430 CR 3, Elkhart, IN
Cost: Free. No Registration Required
Age: All Ages
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Fall Night Hike at Cobus Creek County Park in Elkhart, IN
Experience the first night of Fall with naturalist James at Cobus Creek. He will talk about nocturnal creatures and the stars on this dark sky adventure. Please dress accordingly as temperatures can fluctuate at night during this time of the year.
Date: September 22, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Cobus Creek - Click here for a park map.
Cost: Free. No Registration Required
Age: All Ages
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Habitat Hike at Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, IN
Join the naturalist for a 1-mile walk to study the park’s unique habitats. Each week, we’ll look for different birds, mammals, plants, & more. Bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll have a few to share. Meet on the Nature Center porch.
Date: September 24, 2025
Time: 10:30am to 11:30am
Location: Potato Creek State Park nature center
Cost: All our programs are free (unless otherwise noted). They are open to the public after paying the park entrance fee. ($7 in-state & $9 out-of-state)
Age: Our interpretive programs are designed to entertain and enrich folks of all ages. Children under 12 must have an adult with them at programs.
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Owl Prowl, Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, IN
Meet on the Front Porch for a short discussion on these winged hunters of the night. Then we’ll venture into the woods to see if we can coax in an owl or two. Nature Center.
Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 8pm to 9:30pm
Location: Potato Creek State Park nature center
Cost: All our programs are free (unless otherwise noted). They are open to the public after paying the park entrance fee. ($7 in-state & $9 out-of-state)
Age: Our interpretive programs are designed to entertain and enrich folks of all ages. Children under 12 must have an adult with them at programs.