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Backyard Explorer 3 to 5 / Week 01 / Tuesday
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Week 01 · The Field Notebook

Tuesday

The sit spot
// Observe, record and wonder like a naturalist
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: The Sit Spot

Raven sits on an upturned bucket at the edge of the yard. She does not move.

Rocket tiptoes over. "What are you doing? Nothing is happening."

"Wait," Raven whispers. A sparrow lands near the fence. Then two more.

Rocket's eyes go wide. Nova dims her lights and hovers low. "The yard was always this busy," she says. "You just never sat still long enough."

What is a sit spot?

A sit spot is one outdoor place you visit again and again.

You sit still and quiet. You watch, listen and wait.

Many animals hide when a person walks up. Most come back after a few quiet minutes.

Because you return to the same spot, you start to notice changes.

A new flower opens. A bird returns at the same time each day. A puddle dries up.

Naturalists all over the world use sit spots. Now you will have one too.

Picking a good spot

  • Close to home: a yard, a porch step, a balcony or a window.
  • Safe: your grown-up can see you, and you can see them.
  • Something living nearby: a tree, a bush, grass or a flower pot.
  • A place to sit: a step, a rock, a chair or a folded towel.
  • Easy to visit often: the same spot every time is the whole point.

You do not need a forest. A single tree on a sidewalk counts.

A window spot works on rainy days or when going outside is not possible.

SIT SPOT SMARTS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What is the most important thing to do at a sit spot?
Why do you return to the same spot each time?
Which of these could be a good sit spot?

What happens when you sit still

Animals have senses too. Birds see you move. Squirrels hear your steps.

Their brains get the signal and they respond. Usually they hide or fly away.

When you stop moving, you stop sending that signal.

Little by little, the yard goes back to normal around you.

PUT A SIT SPOT VISIT IN ORDER
  • ?Walk to your spot slowly and quietly.
  • ?Sit down and get comfortable.
  • ?Stay still for a few minutes while the animals settle.
  • ?Watch, listen and notice what is happening.
  • ?Tell your grown-up what you saw.
WHY THIS EXERCISEQuiet arrival, stillness, then watching. The animals need time to return.
StatementTrue or false?
A sit spot must be in a forest.?
Animals often hide when a person walks up.?
You should visit a new spot every time.?
A window can be a sit spot on a rainy day.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEA sit spot works because you return to it. It can be anywhere safe and close.
How many sit spots does a naturalist return to again and again?
WHY THIS EXERCISEOne spot, visited often, shows you changes you would miss anywhere else.
Try it
Pick your sit spot today with your grown-up.
Sit there for five minutes. Do not talk or move around.
Count how many living things you notice. Plants count too!
Safety first
Stay where your grown-up can see you.
Look with your eyes. Never touch a wild animal, nest, egg, mushroom or unknown plant.
Some insects sting and some plants itch. Keep your hands to yourself.
Wash your hands when you come back inside.
Draw a simple map of your sit spot. Mark where you sit with an X.

Good choice, explorer! Tomorrow you learn to use every safe sense at your spot.

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