2026 Fall Migration "Mini-Sit"

Birdwatchers of all levels are invited to join us for the seventh 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 a bird hotspot within the Cache River Watershed and sit in a “24-foot” diameter circle, tallying all birds seen within and from the circle.  Lists should be submitted to eBird, a citizen science platform.  If you do not use eBird, paper lists can be submitted at the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center located at: 8885 IL-37, Cypress, IL 62923.

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. at the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center located at: 8885 IL-37, Cypress, IL 62923.  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 Sunday, September 13, and provide contact information of their participants (name, address, phone number, email address, team affiliation (Ex: Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, Shawnee Chapter Illinois Audubon Society, Southern Illinois Audubon Society, Friends of the Cache, etc. and preferred hotspot).