Inspired by the spirit of friendly competition in The Big Year, this film serves as the perfect kickoff to our birding season and the upcoming 2026 Fall Migration "Mini-Sit," where birders of all experience levels can test their own identification skills while helping document fall migration in the Cache River Watershed.
If you've never seen the film, here is a summary of the plot. Three devoted birdwatchers, portrayed by Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson, set aside their careers and personal lives to compete in an ambitious, year-long challenge: spotting more North American bird species than anyone else within a single calendar year. As their quest takes them across the continent in pursuit of a record-breaking "Big Year," each man discovers that the journey offers far more than the thrill of competition, leading to unexpected personal growth and a renewed perspective on life.
Before the movie screening, Kim Rohling with University of Illinois Extension will share more information on how you can get involved and participate. Register for the Fall Migration "Mini-Sit."
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