Novice birders welcome to join 'The Big Sit' international birding event Oct. 13

Novice birders are welcome to participate in international birding event, "The Big Sit," from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Powers-Walker House at Glacial Park in Ringwood.

The concept is simplicity itself - find a good place for bird watching, sit in one spot and count all the bird species you see or hear.

The Big Sit is an international bird-watching event when folks around the world create 17-foot diameter circles and tally the different birds they identify throughout the day from within the circle.

Fifty-six species of birds were counted at McHenry County's Big Sit event in 2018.

Adults and children are invited to join in the fun for as little or long as they like anytime from 6 a.ma. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Big Sit circle will be located near the Powers-Walker House at Glacial Park. Take Harts Road west of Route 31, just south of Richmond, and follow the signs to the Powers-Walker House.

People are invited to bring a lawn chair and their binoculars.

Experienced birders will share views through their scopes. McHenry County Conservation District will have binoculars and bird field guides to share.

The event is sponsored by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, McHenry County Audubon, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information, visit hackmatacknwr.org.