SCBWF Weekend (Trip C) – BIG SIT at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area

**Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival Weekend**
A group of local trip leaders, tour guides, and industry vendors are planning the return of the SCBWF in 2024. As a ‘warm up’ to the festival’s return the foundational group is conducting a birding weekend to showcase the immense diversity of bird species found in our area. The weekend will include a series of birding field trips from 19-23 January. Space Coast Audubon is providing support through promotion, hosting, and field trip leader involvement.

**TRIP C: Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area (Big Sit)**
Trip Leader: David Simpson, Birding with David Simpson
Saturday – Big Sit at Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area (0630 – 1200)
Advanced Registration is not required. Unlimited# of participants. You can pop in, stay for a while, or join for hours. It’s up to you.

The Big Sit is an activity where participants sit in one area for a period of time to observe how many birds can be observed while sitting still. Come by any time, bring a chair, and stay as long as you want. You can join any time between 0630am until 12pm.

73 species were seen on previous Big Sit in fall 2022. Spoonbills likely nesting nearby. Vermilion Flycatcher has been around a lot this winter. Really interesting opportunity to see a lot of birds without having to move.

Please bring a chair, binoculars, snacks, and water/drinks.

The Fellsmere Grade Recreation area is 6.5 miles from where you depart Babcock St SE and travel down Fellsmere Grade Rd. Restrooms are available at the two boat ramps along the way. The first is next to the Crew team storage units (on right shortly after you get onto Fellsmere Grade Road), the second is on the left at the Headwaters Lake Boat Ramp. **The restroom near the Bit Sit area is not maintained, it’s very gross and unsanitary.** Bring hand sanitizer and your own toilet tissue if you chose to use this restroom.

Logistics: Follow Fellsmere Grade Road all the way (west) until it dead ends at the boat ramp (6.5 miles from where you turn off Babcock Road). Drive until you can’t drive any further without going into the water…you’ve arrived. Park in the dirt lot next to the bridge. We’ll “sit” near the canal next to the boat ramp. Look for the “Birding with David Simpson” magnetic sign on a white SUV to find our group.

For specific questions about the Big Sit contact David Simpson ([email protected]). Any questions about registration, direct message the host (Rochelle) or email to: [email protected].