Participants at Big Sit event. Heffley/USFWS/Oct14.2007

Return of the Geese Bicycle Tour participants. Heffley/ USFWS/Oct14.2007

With a cool autumn breeze blowing off the Chesapeake Bay, the Kentish Plovers set out to compete in the annual Big Sit event at the Tubby Cove Observation Platform at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, October 14, 2007. 

A group of core members of the Kent County Bird Club, who are also volunteers at the refuge, spent the day on the platform tallying up birds seen and heard.  When the day was over, 56 bird species had been recorded.  A few uncommon species seen were a greater white-fronted goose, a pair of cackling geese and a red-breasted nuthatch. Many bald eagles also kept the group company throughout the day.  Scores of visitors stopped by the platform during the day to chat and catch a glimpse of the variety of waterfowl and other species in the area.  Spotting scopes and binoculars were available for observers.  Freebies such as bird brochures and other refuge literature were also available for the visitors of all ages.  "Birds of the Chesapeake Bay" posters were provided by partners at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.