The Migration Madness Birdathon, May 20 – 21: Fun for bird lovers of any skill level!

The Connecticut Audubon Society is inviting everybody to join in the fun later this month at the 6th annual Migration Madness birding weekend.

It’s a great way to help celebrate Connecticut Audubon’s 125th anniversary, and to make a contribution to bird conservation.

The highlight is the Migration Madness Birdathon, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22. The Birdathon is a fundraising event that benefits bird conservation throughout the state. It’s open for all ages and for all skill levels.

Over the years, almost 500 people have participated or donated to the Birdathon and raised approximately $100,000, all of which went directly to help protect Connecticut’s birds.

Birdathon participants can also enter the annual Birdathon Photo Contest. All the Photo Contest details are here.

Migration Madness includes a full schedule of bird walks and family events, including a bird banding demonstration, at Connecticut Audubon Sanctuaries and elsewhere. Many of the bird walks are ideal ways to learn about birds and to add to your Birdathon lists. Expert guides will help.

The schedule of events is here, with more to be added.

Migration Madness kicks off with a historical presentation on Zoom about the most important bird law ever, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the U.S. Senator from Connecticut who sponsored it. The Zoom program is free for people who register for or donate to the Birdathon.

Some programs are free for members; all are reasonably-priced.

The Birdathon itself costs only $10 for registration. It’s designed to be a fun and friendly competition to see as many species of birds in Connecticut as possible over that weekend.

Some participants search for birds all weekend, but others participate for a day or for a few hours. The rules are here.

Participants who see at least 40 species and raise a minimum of $40 (including the $10 registration fee) will be entered in the grand prize drawing. This year’s prize is a beautiful and valuable wood carving of a Rock Ptarmigan by Connecticut artist Keith Mueller.

The adult participant who sees the most species over the weekend will win an original watercolor of a Green-tailed Towhee by artist Mark Szantyr. Last year’s winner, Frank Mantlik, saw 145 species.

There are also prizes for young birders (17 and younger), for the most money raised to support conservation in Connecticut, and for most school spirit. For more information about prizes, click here.

2023 Migration Madness Birdathon Sponsors