Unique Birding Experience

All Levels Welcome

Sandhill Cranes

See Incredible Winter Birding Spectacles at Goose Pond - Great for Beginners!

Get together with fellow birders and embark on an awe-inspiring birdwatching adventure at Goose Pond – Indiana’s top destination for observing magnificent cranes, pelicans, eagles, and swans. This extraordinary wildlife spectacle appeals to all birding enthusiasts, especially beginners, thanks to easy observation and an abundance of birds. On this unforgettable tour, you can witness firsthand the enchanting yet ancient calls of Sandhill Cranes and observe their fascinating social behaviors as they feed, bow, jump, and soar through the sky. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the rare Whooping Crane and ready to be captivated by the mesmerizing sight of tens of thousands of Snow Geese in flight. If you’re looking for a birding experience this winter – don’t miss this unforgettable Goose Pond adventure!

Tour Highlights

Hear the lovely yet prehistoric-sounding calls of hundreds of Sandhill Cranes

Observe the social behaviors of the Sandhill Cranes as they feed, bow, jump, and fly

Cross your fingers as we hope to spot the Whooping Crane - fewer than 1000 remain in the world and you have a good chance at seeing a couple of these magnificent birds!

Marvel at the whirling mass of tens of thousands of Snow Geese in flight!

Enjoy the company of fellow birders of all levels as we hike the Goose Pond area together

Learn all about the amazing wildlife in the area from an expert guide

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Trip Details

Trip Details

Public Tour Price

$60/person


Private Tour Price

$300/group


Meeting point

In Bloomington, at the Goose Pond Visitors Center, or at the Linton Walmart parking lot.


Seasons

December to March


Duration

5-7 hours


Group size

  • Public tours – 3 to 5 guests
  • Private tours – No minimum or maximum for private tours, but my vehicle can only hold up to 5 guests. For larger groups, a caravan is possible if guests are willing to drive their own vehicle. Walkie talkies can be used for communication between vehicles.

Included

  • Transportation
  • Binoculars if needed
  • Use of spotting scope

Not included

Snacks and drinks, so be sure to bring what you might need.


What to bring

  • A small picnic lunch
  • Water bottle
  • Appropriate clothing for the season – layers of clothing advised for the time of year
  • Jacket
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Your own binoculars or scope
  • Phone/camera

About your guide

David Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding, will lead this trip. David has over 25 years of birding experience and loves to share his joy for birding.

What to Expect

We’ll begin the day by either meeting in Bloomington or at the Linton Wal-mart parking lot. We will then travel in my vehicle to various Goose Pond FWA observation points. Here you see both the wintering grounds for some Sandhill Cranes and a staging area for many more during their northward migration. We will also be searching for birds that don’t occur in many other places in Indiana. One of the goals of our day together will be finding the Whooping Cranes that winter here every year. Most guests will also have the chance to observe Greater White-fronted Geese and Snow Geese in huge numbers, which is an amazing experience for all. We’ll also be on the lookout for birds of prey like the Rough-legged Hawk that make their home at Goose Pond during the winter, as well as swans and Bald Eagles that use the large wetlands for foraging. If you’re doing this tour in March, then the number of American White Pelicans builds during migration. After approximately 5 hours of birding fun, we’ll head back to where you started the day.

Please note: The amount of walking we do is dependent on the weather. If the weather is really cold, we will spend more time viewing the birds from the comfort of the vehicle. However, the best views (especially with the spotting scope) are from outside of the vehicle. Please bring plenty of warm layers – it’s always colder than you think at Goose Pond!

Private Tour Option

By scheduling a private tour, you can get a customized experience. If you want to spend more time enjoying the cranes or searching for raptors, just let me know. Private tours are especially recommended for photographers or people with particular target species. Please send me an inquiry if you wish to discuss your private tour options and objectives.

See How Previous Guests Sang Our Praises


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