Sit back, relax, and enjoy fall migration.

Birdwatchers of all levels are invited to join us for the sixth annual Fall Migration “Mini-Sit,” a bird-watching event where participants record as many bird species by sight and sound during a three-hour period. Each team will choose an bird hotspot within the Cache River Watershed and sit in a “24 foot” diameter circle tallying all birds seen within and from the circle.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring your own binoculars or scope, camera, and lawn chair. Pack a bagged lunch for a picnic outdoors from noon to 1:30 p.m. The picnic allows communication across teams, so we can share our sightings. 

Groups are limited to ten participants per hotspot, and teams must pre-register their hotspot locations by October 1, and provide contact information of their participants (name, address, phone number, email address, team affiliation (Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, Shawnee Chapter of the Audubon Society, Southern Illinois Audubon Society, etc. and preferred hotspot).

Hotspots are public parking lots designated by a blue square on the Cache River State Natural Area Map. Maps and directions to your hotspot will be emailed to you. To register, visit go.illinois.edu/2023MiniSit or contact Kim Rohling at kimrohli@illinois.edu.