Bird Watchers from Around the Globe Unite for 'The Big Sit!' Known As Bird-Watching's Most Sedentary Event
PRWeb
On Sunday, October 9th, bird-watching teams from all over the world will enter 17-foot diameter circles and faithfully record every bird they see and hear from the same spot for 24 hours. Besides having fun participating in The Big Sit!, which is known as "bird-watching's most sedentary event," teams have a chance to earn money for their favorite conservation group. Registration is free and open to any person or club in the world by visiting the Bird Watcher's Digest website at www.birdwatchersdigest.com.
Marietta, OH (PRWEB) September 16, 2005 -- On Sunday, October 9th, bird-watching teams from all over the world will enter 17-foot diameter circles and faithfully record every bird they see and hear from the same spot for 24 hours. Besides having fun participating in The Big Sit!, which is known as "bird-watching's most sedentary event," teams have a chance to earn money for their favorite conservation group.
The Big Sit! is a free, international, and non-competitive birding event hosted by Bird Watcher's Digest. It was founded by the New Haven (CT) Bird Club and is sponsored by Swarovski Optik and Eagle Optics.
Hundreds of teams from around the world participate in The Big Sit! every year. The event is like a bird-a-thon, or a "Big Day," in that the object is to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard within a 24-hour period. But the unique thing about The Big Sit! is that birding teams must count birds from within the same 17-foot diameter circle during the entire Big Sit.
Participating teams must register prior to October 9, 2005, by visiting the Bird Watcher's Digest website at www.birdwatchersdigest.com.
Although fun and conservation trumps competition in this friendly event, every team that observes the Swarovski "Golden Bird" will be entered into a drawing to receive $500 to go toward their favorite bird or conservation organization.
In 2005 The Big Sit! organizers introduce a new twist. "Fundraising is important to bird clubs everywhere," says Bill Thompson, III, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest and a long-time Big Sitter. "So we encourage bird clubs to use The Big Sit! as a fundraiser. Teams can earn hundred of dollars by collecting pledges for each species they see." Teams run their fundraisers independently, and may use the funds for a special bird-club project, or perhaps to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Thompson says clubs should register their teams and organize their pledge drive soon, because, "Big Sit day, October 9, 2005 is just around the corner."
For additional information on The Big Sit! contact Bill Thompson, III, or visit the Bird Watcher's Digest website at www.birdwatchersdigest.com and look for the blue-and-orange Big Sit! button.
About Bird Watcher's Digest:
For more than 25 years, Bird Watcher's Digest (BWD) has been entertaining and informing bird watchers with our blend of excellent publications and bird-watching products. From our signature magazine by the same name to our newsletters, bird guides, and backyard publications, BWD is a recognized leader in delivering bird-watching content on topics such as bird feeding, wildlife gardening, bird identification tips, birding travel, and birding gear.
Bill Thompson, III, is the editor of Bird Watcher's Digest and the author of recent bird guides including "Identify Yourself: the 50 most common birding identification challenges" (2005; Houghton-Mifflin) and an 18-volume series of state bird-watching guides for the Southeast and Midwest entitled "Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide" (2004; Cool Springs Press).
Contact:
Bill Thompson, III (editor)
Bird Watcher's Digest
P.O. Box 110
149 Acme Street
Marietta, Ohio 45750
800-879-2473
e-mail protected from spam bots
www.birdwatchers.digest.com
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