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Teaming research with education to promote conservation |
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Teaming research with education to promote conservation |
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Research and
Education!
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Tom Bartlett’s 14th Annual “BIG SIT
What on earth is a “Big Sit”? Well, the idea is to stay in one place (a fifteen foot circle) and count all the species of birds one can identify from that spot during a given period. Most “Big Sits” are for a full 24 hours and are conducted in the fall, but Tom modifies BSBO’s sit for IMBD and conducts the count from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Still an impressive feat when you consider that Tom also attempts to do the count without a bathroom break. Why? No one really knows, but he has succeeded in 11 out of the last 13 years. Who knows what 2008 will bring? Tom has recorded 178 species during the count’s history. His average has been 90.5 species a year with a high of 112 in 2005 and a low of 66 in 1997. While last year’s total of 72 species was well below the average, one new species (Cooper's Hawk) was added to his “Big Sit” list.
Be sure
to come back and visit our website for the 2008 tally.
Part of the tradition includes “Tom’s Big Sit Challenge”. Each year Tom pledges $1.00 per species, and he challenges YOU to do the same. More than $20,000 has been raised to support BSBO research and education over the course of the “Big Sits” 13 year history, and Tom’s goal for 2008 is to raise $3500 to add to that impressive total. In addition to Tom’s “Big Sit” duties, he also acts as the unofficial ‘greeter’ at the boardwalk. Please stop by to take part in the celebration, help spot birds, check Tom’s tally board for the day’s running total and all the highlights, and to harass Tom! (We suggest offering him LOTS of drinks!) Need more incentive to take part in all the fun? Predict Tom’s final 2007 total and have a shot at winning a BSBO Sweatshirt!
Thank you for your continued support of
the Black Swamp Bird Observatory! Last updated on Monday, November 03, 2008 |
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Saturday May 10th, we
celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) and
the 14th Annual “BIG SIT”
conducted by one of the country’s top birders, the
incomparable Tom Bartlett! The west end of the
world-famous Magee Marsh Boardwalk will once again be
the scene for this fun and inventive way to support the
Observatory as Tom takes on the “Big Sit” challenge! 