The Big Sit bird count is happening in the metro area Oct. 15 at Coldwater Spring, part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
"This is a great place to learn about bird identification, maybe a few tips and tricks, meet local birders, and have fun," said Park Service ranger Sharon Stiteler on her blog. "If you have binoculars and spotting scopes, feel free to bring them, but we will have some on hand for you to use."
The spring and the land it courses through are part of an extensive renovation project to return the landscape to what it was nearly 200 years ago: oak savanna prairie and wetland. The Big Sit bird count, scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., is part of a nationwide event, with the goal to tally the different species spotted or heard from within a 17-foot diameter circle over a 24-hour period and submit results to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird database. Drop in anytime.
Coldwater Spring is located at 5601 Minnehaha Park Drive South in Minneapolis.