Join national bird count Oct. 11

Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region, McHenry County Conservation District, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the McHenry County Chapter of Illinois Audubon are teaming up to participate in The Big Sit from sunrise to sunset Sunday, Oct. 11. The concept is simplicity itself: find a good spot for bird watching, sit and count all the bird species you see or hear.

Everyone is invited to stop by for a just a few minutes - or bring a lawn chair and stay for a few hours. This is the second year The Big Sit is being offered in our area. Join the event anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Glacial Park's Powers-Walker House. Take Harts Road west off Route 31 south of Richmond and follow the signs to Powers-Walker House.

Join area bird enthusiasts for The Big Sit - a stationary bird watching event that has been equated with a tailgate party. Participants sit or stand within a 17-foot radius circle and count all the birds they see or hear over a designated period of time. This event is citizen science at its finest!

Volunteers and staff will be there sharing views through spotting scopes and binoculars and helping novices identify the birds they see. They will also have snacks including doughnuts and coffee to share. Stop by and see what feathered visitors are in view, stay for a quiet chat and learn more about Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

The Big Sit is an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event hosted by Bird Watcher's Digest and founded by the New Haven Bird Club. See more at www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/connect/bigsit/about-the-big-sit. php.