@erinmarilee.bsky.socialI can’t keep my ears perked any longer. We just submitted our #BigSitToCureME official checklist with 28 species! I’ll post the full list tomorrow. Big thanks to everyone! Please consider donating $28 to @openmedf.bsky.social at this link:
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialThe sun has gone down, but there are still 4 hours left in the #BigSitToCureME. We don’t expect any more birds, but we will keep our ears perked for unlikely barred owls, great horned owls, and that one weird thrush that sometimes sings in the bushes at night. Thanks for the support! ❤️
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialAs promised: a thread of birding tips for people with ME. Please add your tips! I’m still newish and learning this hobby. #BigSitToCureME
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialHere’s a thread of tips for birding with #MECFS. Some of these are accessible for people with Severe ME, but I don’t have any tips for people with Very Severe ME. If you do, please add them to the list. #BigSitToCureME
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialAnd we’re back! And I’ve already spotted the red belly of a red bellied woodpecker! This is a slower birding time of day, so once the caffeine and afternoon meds kick in, I’ll drop some birding while disabled tips. Also thank you to those who are donating! ❤️
#BigSitToCureME
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialOk we’re taking a break for a couple hours. We’ve reached 24 species with 1 lifer and 3 migrants we don’t usually get to see. Shoutout to the hooded warbler who looks like a bright yellow medieval executioner! #BigSitToCureME
If you want to participate with us: linktr.ee/BigSitToCure...
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialThe littles have spontaneously erupted into very loud song and dance. This is poor technique for birding, but excellent technique for being 4. I’ve caught another glimpse of the chestnut sided warbler, and we’ve reached 20 species. This is defying all the rules of birding. I love it. #BigSitToCureME
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialLifer alert! I spotted two chestnut sided warblers! The littles have joined me and I was about to do a birding with kids post about how you have to make peace with the fact they’ll chase away your lifers. But lo and behold, lifers! #BigSitToCureMe
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialOooh! A swainson’s thrush sighting! That’s only the second time I’ve ever seen one of those! #BigSitToCureME
Photo credit: Audubon
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialJust 12 minutes after sunrise we hit our first 10 species! The dawn chorus is utterly delightful and I want to figure out how to do this more often. Shout out to the borbiest pair of Carolina wrens I’ve ever seen out-singing the neighbors’ wrens. #BigSitToCureMe
@wilhelminaj.bsky.socialFollow along with the Lee family’s birdwatching at #BigSitToCureME.
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialIt’s officially #BigSitToCureME time! I am in my circle, a cup of brewed cacao in hand, waiting for sunrise in half an hour.
Confession: I’ve been birding almost 2 years but I’ve never birded at sunrise because my #MECFS symptoms are at their worst in the morning. Excited for my first dawn chorus!
@erinmarilee.bsky.socialWe’ll post the total bird count on Monday. In the meantime, we’ve measured our circle, prepped our snacks, and printed bird coloring pages for the littles. If you’d like to follow along tomorrow, we’ll use #BigSitToCureME.
@erinmarilee.bsky.social1) Donate $1 per species Nate and I find
2) Donate $1 per species you find (as an event participant, or just on your own for fun)
For more information: linktr.ee/BigSitToCure...