What is a Big Sit?
A Big Sit, similar to a Big Day, is a competition where a team of bird watchers count as many species as possible within a 24-hour period. While the Big Day involves moving around from spot to spot to maximize the number of species sighted, a Big Sit is precisely as it sounds. You stay in one location, a 17-foot diameter circle called a “count circle”, and only species seen or heard from that circle count for the final tally. Count wherever you want and as long as you want during your chosen count day, September 25, 26 or 27, 2026.

Count as an individual, as a family, or as a team of up to five people. Additional participants can come and go from your count circle as long as there are no more than five people counting at one time. The Big Sit is all about slowing down, enjoying good company and great birds.

Awards and recognition will be given to winners in the following categories:

• Most species seen by a team
• Most species seen in a yard
• Most hours of continuous occupation by a team
• Most hours of continuous occupation by an individual in one location (yard or other habitat)
• Most species seen by a first-time participant
• Most clever team name

BIG SIT COMPETITION RULES

1. The Illinois Big Sit must be conducted from within a predetermined counting circle no greater than 17 feet in diameter.
2. An Illinois Big Sit circle can be “placed” anywhere within the state of Illinois.
3. The circle you choose must be used for the entirety of your Big Sit.
4. The count is to be conducted during a 24-hour period (midnight to midnight) on September 26, 27, or 28.
5. The count can be on any day during the Illinois Big Sit weekend. Counts are not required to go for 24 hours and can be tailored to your comfort level. Count for a few hours, in the morning only, or all day. You can also count in the morning, take a break, and count again in the afternoon. You may count multiple days but must submit a separate tally for each day.
6. A maximum of five participants are allowed per team in the circle at any time.
7. Count on your own, with friends, your family, or other birders. Teams of between 1 and 5 people are allowed.
8. No one participant has to stay in the circle for the duration of the count. Participants can split up the time and come and go as they please.
9. Guests are welcome and more than 5 people can participate if they swap in and out during the day (only 5 people can be counting at a time).
10. For a species to count, it must be identified (seen or heard) by an official counter from within the circle.
11. Counters may leave the circle to search for a new species, but that species can only count if it is subsequently heard or seen from the circle. For example, one participant can leave the circle to confirm what they suspect is a calling Least Bittern, but must return and hear/see the bird from the circle for it to count.
12. Submit final tally by 12:00 pm (noon) on Monday, September 28, 2026.