Migration Madness: 2019 Birdathon Winners and Prizes
Kathleen Van Der Aue, right, chair of the Connecticut Audubon Board, presents the first place prize for most species seen by an individual birder in 24 hours during the 2019 Birdathon (124) to Tina Green of Westport. The prize is a watercolor of the Sedge Wren that nested in Pomfret last year, painted and donated by Mark Szantyr.
June 4, 2019 – Almost 700 people participated in Migration Madness weekend (May 17-19)! They helped raise $30,000 for conservation in Connecticut, more than triple the amount raised last year during our first Migration Madness.
79 people participated in the Birdathon and saw more than 200 species. Individual winners and totals are below.
We send our sincere thanks. Here’s the list of Birdathon winners …
Click here to see the photo contest winners! First- and second-place winners, and three honorable mentions, were chosen by Paul Fusco.
Individual winners
Most Species Seen by an Individual Birder in 24 hours
Tina Green, Westport, 124 species. Prize: Sedge Wren Watercolor by Mark Szantyr
David Alpeter, Darien, 124 species. Prize: $25 gift certificate to Connecticut Audubon’s nature stores
Most Species Seen all Weekend by an Individual Birder
First Place: Tina Green, Westport, 177 species. Prize: Sabine’s Gull carving by Keith Mueller
Second Place: Andrew Dasinger, South Glastonbury, 163 species. Prize: White-faced Storm-Petrel carving by Keith Mueller
Most Money Raised by an Individual
First Place: Jerid O’Connell, Westport, $1,220. Prize: Flame-colored Tanager Watercolor by Keith Mueller
Second Place: Frank Mantlik, Stratford, $950. Prize: Framed Patrick Lynch print of a Grackle
Most Money Raised by a First-Time Participant
Frank Mantlik, Stratford, $950. Prize: Framed Patrick Lynch print of a Pelican
Most Social Media Posts (from May 1 through May 19).
Juliannie Cerda, Colchester, 14 Instagram posts.
Prize: Framed Patrick Lynch print of an Osprey
Young Birders
Most Species Seen by a Young Birder (18 years old and younger)
First Place: James Leone (15), Darien, 118 species. Prize: Vortex Binoculars
Second Place: Eli Holton (14), Hamden, 117 species. Prize: A Field Guide to Long Island Sound, by Patrick Lynch
Executive Director Patrick Comins, left, presents Aaron Bourque with his award for submitting the most bird identification photos taken during the 2019 Migration Madness Birdathon. Board member Ben Williams looks on. Fellow Board member and artist Patrick Lynch donated the painting of the Osprey.
Teams
Most Species Seen by a Team in 24 hours
Hope 4 Good Weather, 100 species. Prize: EcoTravel Swallow Spectacular Cruise in September
Most Species Seen by a New Team in 24 hours
Infinity Birding, 56 species. Prize: A day of birding with Milan Bull
Most Money Raised by a Team
Hope 4 Good Weather, $1,075. Prize: A day of birding with Patrick Comins
Center Prizes
Most Species Seen
Deer Pond Farm, 158 species. Prize: Half Full Brewery Tour & Tasting Certificate
Most Money Raised
Deer Pond Farm, $2,910. Prize: Pizza Lunch
Photo contest
Best Photo Taken all Weekend
First Place: Frank Mantlik, Stratford, Summer Tanager. Prize: Framed Patrick Lynch print of an Osprey
Second Place: Bill Asteriades, South Glastonbury, Immature Black-crowned night-heron. Prize: $25 gift certificate to Connecticut Audubon’s nature stores
We are happy to announce that Paul Fusco, first-rate photographer and designer of our Connecticut State of the Birds report, judged this photo competition!
Most Identification Photos Taken all Weekend
Aaron Bourque, Putnam, 70 identified. Prize: Framed Patrick Lynch print of an Osprey
Frank Mantlik, Stratford, 43 identified. Prize: $25 Gift Certificate to a Connecticut Audubon Nature Store
