Bird Watchers Unite For Birding's Most Sedentary Event

MARIETTA, OH September 29, 2004 -- Calling all bird watchers! The 12th annual Big Sit will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2004 from midnight to midnight. This 24-hour bird watching event is hosted by Bird Watcher's Digest and founded by The New Haven (CT) Bird Club. The Big Sit is free and open to participation by individuals and bird clubs all over the world.

On the day of The Big Sit, bird watchers unite in casual solidarity for the birds. So pull up a camp chair, a tree stump, or just lean over your deck railing, because The Big Sit is an event even not-so-serious birders enjoy.

Teams participating in The Big Sit tally bird species for as much of the 24-hour Big Sit period as they choose to, from the cozy confines of a single 17-ft diameter circle in a "birdy" location of their choosing. Big Sit teams are now forming in cities, in suburbs, on farms, and in local parks, and they are arduously planning endless details like "Where do we sit this time? Who's bringing the beverages? Who's got the chips, dip, and cheesy poofs?" They are measuring their circles, preparing their checklists, and polishing their optics.

"We look forward to The Big Sit every year. It's a great excuse to spend an entire day with friends and family watching birds and having fun," said Bill Thompson, III, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest and a veteran Big Sit participant. "We'll have between 30 and 40 people taking part in our Big Sit circle this year. Not all at the same time, of course!" he added.

Each Big Sit team is secretly hoping to be the random winner of The Golden Bird, which promises a $500 award to the conservation cause of the team's choosing. This prize is awarded by one of The Big Sit sponsors, Swarovski Optik NA. Other Big Sit sponsors include Eagle Optics, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Identiflyer by For the Birds.

The Big Sit! was founded by the New Haven Bird Club in Connecticut in 1992. Four years ago, Bird Watcher's Digest (BWD) magazine became the official hosting organization and helped promote it worldwide. BWD now hosts the Big Sit! web site where birders register their team circles, enter their bird counts, and chronicle their team anecdotes. BWD then compiles the information and publishes the results, complete with stories of adventure and fowl obsession from the Big Sit participants in the magazine and on The Big Sit web site. In 2003 more than 150 Big Sit circles participated around the world. Most of these circles were in North America, but Big Sits were also done in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa. Everyone is welcome to participate in The Big Sit and the event is free.

To participate in the Big Sit, register now at www.birdwatchersdigest.com. There you will also find the official rules, last year's results, and photos of previous participants.

CONTACT:Bill Thompson, III
The Big Sit
Bird Watcher's Digest
P.O. Box 110
Marietta, Ohio 45750
800-879-2473





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