VOL – 2015 Great Texas Birding Classic

As part of the 2015 Great Texas Birding Classic, the folks at Galveston Island State Park (GISP) are joining up with Audubon TERN to enter a team in the Regional Big Sit Tournament. In this competition, teams select a 17-foot diameter circle from which to bird. Team members can rotate in shifts or can be the same members all day. Birds identified and counted must be seen/heard from within the circle.

This year the Audubon Texas Coastal Conservation Program and Galveston Island State Park will be gearing up for a BIG SIT at GISP on Thursday April 30, 2015 for the Great Texas Birding Classic! We will looking for a total of 20 participants total: 10 members for a Breakfast Crew (7am-11:30am) AND 10 members for a Happy Hour Crew (3pm-7:30pm) and need people to help count, identify, and record birds for this competition!   We will provide food, binoculars, a variety of bird books, chairs, a scope, and a location with great views for the morning and evening! Birders of ALL skill/experience levels are welcomed!!! This competition includes birding enthusiast of all ages as well! (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)

The goal is to promote birding, help with park survey information, AND potentially apply and receive a stewardship grant associated with the GTBC ($1,000- 10,000) for more prairie or marsh restoration equipment, plants, or greenhouse needs. Participating in this Big Sit will be a fun and exciting way to support the state park continuing efforts to restore and conserve Galveston Islands natural resources!

NOTE: Team members will be selected based on the order in which registrations are received – so sign-up ASAP!

CLICK HERE to register for our Big Sit Team…

We are looking for Team Leaders that would be willing to enter the final checklist onto eBird within 24 hours of the tournament day (team leaders must create an eBird account under the team name) and coordinate with Lisa Reznicek and Kari Howard for birding checklists and documents associated with the competition. All 20 Team Members will receive a free 2015 GTBC T-shirt!

The link to the official rules and regulations are below

http://tpwd.texas.gov/events/great-texas-birding-classic/rules-and-registration/officialrules

We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with GISP and hope you will join us for this big event! Anyone with questions should contact TERN@audubon.org

Kari Howard                                     Lisa Reznicek