JBNHS ULSTER COUNTY BIG SIT
May 3
JBNHS’ 10th annual Big Sit is also our BIG fundraiser for the year (that’s why we do ours in May) but serves too as a friendly competition between the established sits. Do you have a birdy back deck or favorite patch and a cause worth birding for? Why not join the challenge and see how many species you can identify from a 17’ diameter circle and get friends and family to pledge to your effort. In the past money has been raised to help worthy endeavors like numerous enhancements at SGNWR, support the wonderful New York State Young Birders Club, help the important NYS Breeding Bird Atlas, installation of Where to Bird in Ulster County panels now located at four locations about the county, create Naturalist’s Backpacks for area libraries to lend out, and aid Annie Mardiney’s important educational and rehabilitation work at Wild Mountain Birds.
Bowdery’ Homestead Sit
Lynn and Allan and extended family will bird their yard with hopes of a good feeder bird to pad our cumulative list and raise the most money we can to distribute in June to important environmental and conservation concerns in the region.
Galeville (SGNWR) Sit
Spend some time on the observation deck at Galeville (SGNWR) looking and listening for those ever important (and harder to find) grassland species. Team Shawangunk Redemption could have another Sandhill Crane up their sleeves. Pledges raised in recent years have been used to install a bench on the new observation platform, a new refuge sign, and supplies for the pollinator garden. This year the Shawangunk Redemption will bird to install a new updated “Where to Bird in Ulster County” panel on the Galeville Gazebo and to support our friend (and JBNHS trustee) Annie Mardiney and her important work in bird rehabilitation and education with Wild Mountain Birds. Please contact Debbie Carney (deb.carney@gmail.com) or Evelyn Leigh (evelynleigh11@gmail.com) to plan and schedule your shift.
Great Vly Sit
Team Bobcat will again be birding Fradon Marsh from a pressure treated tower and greatly helping our cumulative JBNHS Big Sit total with all those wonderful marsh birds and maybe a surprise like another Black Tern. Support in 2022 allowed for the assembly and installation of over 30 Wood Duck boxes in the Vly! In 2023 the Bobcats worked the same magic for the Wood Ducks in Tivoli Bays. This year they’ll be birding for specially designed new optics for use by young naturalists on the JBNHS field trip schedule.
Hayes’ Homestead Sit
Dave and Tracey will bird their yard and do so for as good a cause as you could find, Wild Mountain Birds and JBNHS trustee Annie Mardiney’s awesome work.
Kingston Point Sit
Team CoCo Puffs will bird from Harrison Point looking out over Kingston Point Lagoon, the mouth of the Rondout, and down river while tallying new spring arrivals and doing so with a vengeance. Aside from hoping to regain bragging rights the CoCo Puffs will also bird to purchase specially designed new optics for use by young naturalists.
Nyquist-Harcourt Sit
The Oxbow Oddballs will appropriately bird for our friends at the WVLT and the wonderful work they do. This is a birdy location and the more eyes and ears the better so please contact Sara DeAngelis (saradeangelis@me.com) or Deb Welstch (dweltsch13@gmail.com) to help or to pledge support.
Thorn Preserve Sit
Please contact Dixon Onderdonk (dixononderdonk@gmail.com ) if you’d like to help. The Thorn Thrashers will bird to support JBNHS’ newest initiatives (like the assembly of Naturalist Backpacks for last year’s recipient the Olive Free Library or the preserve’s kestrel box).
New Location for a Sit?
Please contact Mark DeDea (forsythnature@aol.com) with any questions and to let us know about a new sit for promotional/ fundraising sake.
Donations can be based on a pledge per species (specific sit or cumulative) or flat donation.
To Donate by Check:
Please make checks payable to JBNHS and note desired sit you’d like to support. Send in donations to the Treasurer
Mary T. Moxham CPA PLLC
PO Box 4223
Kingston NY, 12402
To Donate Online:
Visit our Make a Donation page. Select Big Sit Fundraising from the “Use this donation for” dropdown. When prompted to “Write a note” add the name of the location you want your donation to be directed to.
DOWNLOAD THE REFRIGERATOR READY FIELD TRIP LIST FOR 2025
All participants should be aware of existing guidelines and new field trip protocol listed below:
Participant responsibility agreement while attending a JBNHS field trip: By registering, each participant acknowledges their acceptance of the Individual’s Responsibilities.
Individual’s Responsibilities are:
- To stay with the group, follow trip leader’s requests, and do not separate unless you notify trip leader
- To understand that out-of-doors activities involve hazards and that one participates at one’s own risk
- To wear clothing and footwear appropriate to the terrain, and for sun and insect challenges as well
- To adhere to the ABA Birding Code of Ethics, respect and preserve the flora, fauna, and properties we visit
- To be mindful and courteous to other participants
Additionally:
- Optics may be shared if those involved are comfortable with doing so
- Carpooling is at the discretion of participants.
- Preregistration is required for all field trips and participation may be limited.