Gainesville
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Alachua Audubon Field Trip: Big Sit

  • When: Saturday, October 4, 2025,  6:45 am -  5:00 pm
  • Location: See schedule above
  • Cost: See description for details

What is a “Big Sit”? It’s a birding event where teams try to see how many species they can spot from one small area in one day. Believe it or not, there is actually a formal event called “The Big Sit!” - we will do this AAS-style.

We will have four “Sit” spots:
1. Tuscawilla Preserve – near Micanopy (Leader: Adam Kent): Free parking on north side of Tuscawilla Rd. Walk the trail south to the platform.
2. Sweetwater Wetlands Park (Leaders: TBD): The count area will be under the pavilion at SWP.
There is a parking fee ($5) - use the Honor Box or pay using the Passport App. Park opens at 7am.
3. Palm Point Park - Lakeshore drive (Leader: Gina Kent): walk trail to the picnic table overlooking the lake. Plenty of parking along road in the grass if lot is full.
4. *Lake Alice Conservation Area overlook, on UF campus (Leader: TBD GREBE and
Maggie Paxon). Access through the University Gardens - *pending on timing of the Gator football game.

Teams will start birding at 6:45 am until 5:00 pm, except for Sweetwater Wetlands Park
that opens at 7 AM. eBird lists will be tallied in hour intervals.

What to expect: This event is open to everybody, including beginner birders and those
that don’t have binoculars. Spotting scopes will be available at Tuscawilla and Palm
Point. Loaner binoculars will be available at some locations. Parking is available at all sites, but accessible restrooms and water fountains are only at Sweetwater Wetlands Park. Come and go as you please and feel free to visit all four sites during the day or camp out for the entirety.

Make sure to bring coffee/snacks/lunch and drinks for the day. A camp chair will also be useful and anything you need to protect yourself from heat, sun, and insects to make your stay comfortable.

Let’s see what birds are using or flying over ONE (or four) spots over an entire day! This is smack in the middle of migration. Excellent raptor migration time, especially for peregrine falcons. The sky is the limit!

Let’s share our stories afterwards! Let’s meet at Depot Park on south Main Street at 5:30 p.m. to share a beverage, grab some food at Goldie’s or bring your own and talk about the amazing day.

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