2026 Big Sit
On Saturday, Oct. 10th, flock on over to the observation platform at the Stephen J. Young Marsh for our annual Big Sit. The Missisquoi Marsh Mellows will once again use the platform as the center of their 17-ft. diameter circle as they try to observe as many bird species as they can from that location. Anyone is welcome to come and join them for any part of the day.
What exactly is a Big Sit!? Some call it a “tailgate party for birders.” It’s an annual, international, noncompetitive, extremely sedentary birding event organized by the New Haven (Connecticut) Bird Club. It’s like a Big Day or a bird-a-thon in that the goal is to count as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period, but with the major restriction that observations must be made from within a 17-ft. diameter circle! There are Big Sit! circles all over the world.
Participants can come and go as they please during the day, and the circle need not be be occupied for the entire 24 hours. The platform at Stephen J. Young Marsh is well within the 17-ft. limit. Someone will be “sitting” at the platform from dawn to dusk. A table for snacks is featured most years. Bring a snack to share if you’d like. Sitting for long periods really works up a big appetite!
Rain date is Sunday, October 11th.