Subject: info on big sit 2000!
Date: Sep 8 19:54:38 2000
From: Arthur & Meg Grimes - agrimes94 at earthlink.net


Hi tweeters,
Since my request for local teams forming for the "Big Sit!" I have received a
few replies as to what the heck a "Big Sit" is, so... I hope this info below
will help.
And again, if anyone is forming a "Sit circle" let me know.
thanks
arthur
agrimes94 at earthlink.net

John Triana wrote:

> Folks,
>
> John Himmelman is busy meeting book deadlines and put out a call
> for someone to coordinate the event for 2000. Therefore, I will try to keep
> the BIG SIT! going while our fearless leader is working.
>
> The basics are the same as last year. Below you will find a complete set of
> details. You can also find this at the New Haven Bird Club's website...
> http://members.aol.com/nhbirdclub/bigsit.htm
>
> Let me know if you have any questions, or if you are ready to register your
> site for this year.
>
> Thanks,
> JT
>
> John Triana
> jtriana at connix.com
> http://www.connix.com/~jtriana
>
> ***********************************************
>
> Hello future Sitters ?
>
> Here is the info on the next New Haven Bird Club BIG SIT!. This is our
> eighth year doing this event, and this year we are continuing the new
> twist... a $500 prize from our co-sponsors SWAROVSKI OPTIKS, to the team who
> gets the "Golden Bird". The money must go to a non-profit
> environmental-based organization - winner's choice. Read below for details.
> AND, we will have commemorative T-shirts for sale (and for the winning
> circle), again, details below.
>
> Just a little history on this event: Since 1993, 27 states, 2 counties in
> England, the Netherlands, and one in British Columbia have participated.
> 488 bird species have been listed by over 60 circles and over 200 people.
> These people have sat through searing heat, gale force winds, snow, pouring
> rain, oh, and some beautiful weather. But every one of those people could
> imagine a circle of like-minded lunatics doing the same in another part of
> the world.
>
> Below, you will find the electronic version of the rules and regs. This
> cuts down greatly on postage and paper, which is appreciated by the New
> Haven Bird Club, who funds this.
> Hope you'll join us!
>
> Sit well,
> John Himmelman
> BIG SIT! Chief
>
> ***************************
>
> "If you sit in one place long enough, eventually every species of bird will
> pass by."
>
> Set aside October 22, 2000 for the eighth annual New Haven Bird Club BIG
> SIT! now co-sponsored by SWAROVSKI OPTIK!
>
> The NHBC BIG SIT! is like a Big Day, or a Bird-a-thon in that the object is
> to tally as many bird species as can be seen or heard within 24 hours. The
> difference lies in the area limitation (17 foot circle) from which you'll be
> allowed to observe. THIS FREE EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL & EVERY CLUB
> IN EVERY STATE in EVERY COUNTRY!
>
> 2 categories:
> 1)Best National Count (Most species seen by a single circle ? wins our new
> commemorative T-shirt)
> 2)Best State Count (Highest combined total from circles within a state -
> wins state pride?)
>
> And now, big prize: Swarovski is offering $500 to the circle who finds the
> "Golden Bird".
>
> The prize money must go to the circle's choice of a non-profit,
> environmental organization or club (Bird Clubs, Audubon Chapters, etc.).
> Details on the "Golden Bird" below.
>
> GET A TEAM TOGETHER, OR GO IT ALONE, just for fun or to add to Your state's
> or
> country's total
> Here are the guidelines:
> 1) Observations can be made from any area within the state/country you live,
> or wish to represent.
> 2) Observations can only be made from within a 17-foot (diameter) circle.
> 3) There's no limit to how many people can occupy one area (other than the
> obvious spatial limitations). Bring some chairs. Have a picnic or
> barbeque. Welcome passers-by and their contributions to your list.
> 4) If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to
> identify, the circle can be left to get a closer look for confirmation.
> However, any new bird seen or heard while confirming the original, can't be
> counted unless it's seen from an "anchor" who stayed behind in your circle,
> or when you return to your spot.
> 5) The Participants can work in shifts. No one person needs to be there
> throughout the whole Sit. The area can be left and returned to as
> frequently as desired, but you must be sure to return to the exact spot each
> time.
> 6) The same circle must be used for the entire Sit.
> 7) The BIG SIT will begin at midnight on October 22 and end 24 hours later.
>
> BEFORE THE SIT:
> Every area (not person) must be registered before the event. A confirmation
> and T-shirt ordering information will be sent upon receiving your
> registration. A phone call or E-mail (PREFERRED) will do!
>
> Please call John Triana to register your spot (by October 21st). John can
> be reached by phone (203) 758-7203 , email jtriana at connix.com , or US mail
> John Triana, 2 Coer Rd., Prospect, CT 06712. Make sure you send the
> following information: Name, Full Address, Phone, and brief description of
> area.
>
> THIS EVENT IS FREE.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> AFTER THE SIT: Please send the following info, along with a completed
> checklist
> (in as close to taxonomical order as you can get it) of birds you saw, by
> November 1, 2000.
>
> Name(s)(team name if you've got one!), Contact person's name, address, and
> phone, BIG SIT! location (state, town, habitat), Weather conditions, Time
> spent at location, Name of the organization who would receive $500 prize,
> Notes (write on back or separate sheet), AND - optional - a photo or slide
> of your team at your BIG SIT! location!!
>
> Send to John Triana, 2 Coer Rd., Prospect, CT 06712, USA by Nov. 1, 2000
> or e-mail your results to jtriana at connix.com
>
> A total list from all the areas/states/countries will be compiled & each
> individual, or team representative will receive the results.
>
> And what is the Golden Bird? After all of the results are tabulated, a bird
> will be selected by random drawing from the total list. All of the circles
> who listed that bird (it could be just one!) will be put into another random
> drawing. The selected circle's organization wins the prize