The Big Sit

Big Sit @ Brison Park – May 4, all day

Dear all, as you will no doubt be aware this Saturday May 4th is our annual Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Birding Classic Event at Brison Park in College Station kindly sponsored by Moore Wild Birds. For those that have not done the event before we will be birding the park from dark until dark from within the confines of a designated 17 foot diameter circle, which is located in the last field before the trees on the campus side of the park.

 The circle will be manned by some (not all) of our 20 team members for the duration of the event. Birds must be seen or heard by at least one member (other birding classic events require 2, and we will aim for 2 or more) from the confines of the circle with the idea being to record as many species as possible. Please note the results board featuring the birds list for the day is deemed confidential and CANNOT be shared on social media.

Note birders are allowed to leave the circle to confirm birds, but any new birds they see while doing this must be recorded from the circle to count. Calls may be played quietly, or with headphones or within the confines of a vehicle to confirm bird calls, but these cannot be used to lure birds in. Pishing, owl calls e.t.c. Can be made by mouth but I’d suggest we keep them to a sensible, appropriate level.

Traditionally we have done exceptionally well in this contest, generally landing first place in our Division: prairies and pinewoods west!! All money generated from the event goes to help Texas conservation projects and last year in addition to coming first place we landed a $5000 conservation grant which we used to help repair hurricane damaged wildlife habitat on the Texas coast.

This year could be incredible, with storms predicted Thursday, Friday and early Saturday morning…. on the other hand it is likely to also be wet, and buggy! Please dress accordingly. If you are planning being out for any length of time, you will want rain gear, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses and light clothing you can cover yourself with. Temperatures will vary low 60s to low 80s. Also bring yourself something to sit on and plenty of water and snacks. The event will proceed no matter the weather conditions unless nearby severe weather is deemed to be too hazardous e.g. lightning.

Health permitting ( I currently have shingles and am somewhat incapacitated) I intend to be out in Brison park for the early morning shift on Saturday morning. Getting there around 4.30am to try for owls and nightjars before sunrise. Other lunatics wishing to join me are most welcome. The local police will be notified, of our plan! Traditionally the rest of the team arrives in three groups. With one group arriving around 7.30 ish for the morning shift, a second group arriving at lunch to relieve the loonies and a third group arriving to finish the afternoon/ evening until after sunset and pack up.

Non team members are most welcome to join and are welcome to enjoy the fun. A birding 101 event will be taking place at the other end of the park meeting at the bridge by the tall pecan tree (2nd bridge from end of park furthest from campus). Starting at 8.30am. Should you feel inclined to want to hang around after birding 101 feel free to come and support the team. Support in terms of morale boosting cheerful enthusiasm and supplies will be gratefully accepted. The idea of this event is partly to get people out birding the local area, even complete newbies, so don’t be shy about dragging your non-birding other half, family members and friends along. We will have spare binoculars and expert assistance. In addition to being a lot of fun, the event also provides a snapshot census of migrating bird populations in our local area which will be submitted to the Cornell lab of ornithology to assist with their research through eBird!

Mark McDermott <mcdermotster@gmail.com>