This Big Sit! final report is later than usual – the New Haven Bird Club is a very busy organization run by volunteers. We feel strongly that The Big Sit!® tradition should continue into the future. Many circles are used for fundraising, with funds going to conservation. The Big Sit! has also become a part of the birding culture. We are happy that you all are participating!
In 2023 we had 93 Circles reporting from three countries: the United States, Guatemala, and new to the Big Sit! Azerbaijan. Welcome.
This year the top species count circles are:
- Hazel Bazemore Park Hawkwatch Platform in Texas with 129 Species.
- Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area in Ohio with 99 species
- Elfin Forest Preserve in California with 97 Species
- Finca La Gracia in Guatemala with 96 Species
- Lone Oak Big Sit in Oklahoma with 93 Species
See below for the full list of circles and species counts.
Thank you for another great year.
The Golden Bird Award was announced this past December. For The Big Sit!® in 2023, the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory and the New Haven Bird Club were joint sponsors of the Golden Bird Award. The winning circle received $500 to be donated to a bird conservation organization with 501(c)(3) status of the winner’s choice.
The Golden Bird Award is chosen by randomly drawing a bird species reported during The Big Sit! A second random drawing selects one of the circles that reported that species as the winner of The Golden Bird Award.
This year the Golden Bird is the Bay-breasted Warbler.
Bay-breasted Warbler Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Only three Big Sit!® circles reported the species. The winning circle, randomly chosen is Spot Run Hill Natural Area in the Run Hill State Natural Area, Kill Devil Hills, NC.
The Circle Compiler Andrew Thornton requested that the $500.00 donation be made to North Carolina Coastal Federation, 3609 N.C. 24 Ocean, Newport, NC North Carolina Coastal Federation | Working Together for a Healthy Coast (nccoast.org). The North Carolina Coastal Federation works alongside coastal communities to protect and restore the unique North Carolina coast. As a member-supported non-profit the Coastal Federation’s goals are obtained through a variety of programs and partnerships with people from all walks of life. Through efforts for clean coastal waters, living shorelines, thriving oysters, effective coastal management, and marine debris removal, the Federation and North Carolina’s coastal communities continue to work together for a healthy coast.
|