2025 Migration Magic: A month of fun and friendly competition raises more than $41K to help Connecticut’s birds

Thank you to the 1,150 people who participated!

Click HERE to see the winners of the Photo Contest and a gallery of dozens of great photos.

June 25, 2025—More than 1,500 people helped the cause of bird conservation in Connecticut this May by participating in Migration Magic 2025 — birding, donating, and attending walks and programs throughout the state.

Together they raised $42,388 for bird conservation — one third more than last year, making the 2025 Migration Magic Birdathon a great success.

But Migration Magic is as much about participating as raising conservation finds. And by that standard as well, 2025 was a success.

One hundred birders participated in the month-long Birdathon; 66 of those submitted sightings to eBird, logging an impressive 237 species.

More than 700 people took part in the 60 bird walks and programs organized and led by Connecticut Audubon’s centers, and 319 people made donations to support and encourage the Birdathon participants.

The Birdathon, which started in 2018 as a weekend event and was expanded to a month-long event in 2024, emphasizes both competition and the relaxed, fun non-competitive experience birding can be at its best.

This year it attracted a number of people who were participating in their third, fourth and even fifth Birdathons. Among those were Linda Olsen, Carol Skog, Jennifer Titrud, Liz Jaffin, and Connecticut Audubon Board members Kathleen Van Der Aue and George Amato, to name just a few.

Aaron Bourque and Joanne Bourque participated again—they’ve never missed a Birdathon!

Siblings Pavana and Kalel Attonito participated in the Young Birder category for the 5th time.

We also welcomed several first-timers, including Corey Leamy, Daniel Errichetti, Patrick and Christine Tamborra, Joe Sugrue and Michael Thornberg.

If competition is your thing, the contest to see the most species was tighter than ever.

Connecticut Audubon’s conservation manager, Stefan Martin, topped the list with 196 species.

However, Connecticut Audubon employees aren’t eligible for prizes. So the first-place prize in the category of most species seen went to Jo Fasciolo of Norwalk — 190. Frank Mantlik of Stratford was just one bird behind, with 189 species! Frank had won in that category in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

August Kaeser of Old Lyme, participating in the youth category, saw 89 species — an exceptional total for an under-18 birder.

2025 Birdathon Winners
Grand Prize: Sandy Schill of Sandy Hook, chosen in a random drawing of all qualifying Birdathon participants. The Grand Prize is a print of a Ross’s Goose study donated by the artist, Mark Szantyr.
Most species seen by an individual
First Place, 190 species, by Jo Fasciolo of Norwalk. Prize: Celetron Ultima 100 Spotting Scope. Second Place, 189 species by Frank Mantlik of Stratford. Prize: Nocs Provision Pro Issue 8×42 Binoculars + Woven Strap
Most money raised by a Birdathon participant
Kelly Siranko of Danbury, $3,134. Prize: 2 tickets for EcoTravel Eagle/Osprey, Swallow, and Lighthouse cruises; and a series subscription to Connecticut Audubon’s Young, Gifted and Wild About Birds presentations in 2026.
Most Species Seen by a Birder Under 18
89, by August Kaeser of Old Lyme.  Prize: Nocs Provision Pro Issue 8×42 Binoculars + Woven Strap

We send special thanks to Kelly Siranko of Danbury who led all Birdathoners in the category of most money raised—$3,134. Kelly, who saw 136 species, has been first in the most money raised category each year since 2023 and has raised more than $10,000 for bird conservation..

The Grand Prize winner, selected at random from among participants who submitted checklists and raised at least $50, is Sandy Schill of Sandy Hook, who will receive a print of a Ross’s Goose by Connecticut artist Mark Szantyr.

Congratulations to all the winners (and thank you, Mark, for contributing your artwork!)

Special thanks to the Connecticut Audubon staffers on the Big Day Team—Joe Attwater, Matt Bell, Lori Lichtenauer, Stefan Martin, and Deb Eccleston. In 18 hours of birding they saw 151 species and inspired well over 100 supporters to contribute $8,379 to the Birdathon total.

Matt Bell did a quick Birdathon comparison.

Birdathoners this year saw 234 species, one more than last year.

Which species did they see this year but not last? These 12: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Greater Scaup, Wilson’s Snipe, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Great Cormorant, Philadelphia Vireo, Loggerhead Shrike, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Nelson’s Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird and Blue Grosbeak.

Which species did they see in 2024 but not 2025? These 8: Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Upland Sandpiper, White-faced Ibis, Red-necked Grebe, American White Pelican, Bicknell’s Thrush and Red Crossbill.

Since 2020, when we started using eBird, Birdathoners have seen 253 of the 294 species that have been reported in Connecticut in May.

To everyone who birded, gave, walked, or watched — thank you!

That includes the sponsors of Migration Magic: WSHU Public Radio, Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates, Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management, the Aquarion Water Company, O & G Industires, and NOCS Provisions.

Your enthusiasm and participation helps ensure the future of birds in Connecticut!

 

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Thank you to the sponsors of Migration Magic 2025!