Migration Magic 2025: Photo Contest Winners, Plus A Gallery of Great Shots from the Birdathon
Click HERE for a wrap up of the 2025 Birdathon!
June 25, 2025 — Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Migration Magic Birdathon Photo Contest, Roger Vogel and Pavana Attonito!
Roger’s photo of a Tree Swallow perching on a pole was chosen as the best photo in the adult birder category. Pavana’s shot of a Killdeer on a rock outcropping was chosen as best photo in the Young Birder category. You can see all the Birdathon prizes here.
Roger is a Norwalk resident; this is his first time participating in the Birdathon Photo Contest.
The contest judge, Richard Freeda, said of Roger’s Tree Swallow photo: “A good image is one that makes you feel something. And this image made me laugh. This Tree Swallow with what appears to be an expression of defiance is endearing. The nice bokeh of the muted green background helps focus the attention on the expression of the swallow, which is adorable .”
Pavana Attonito, on the other hand, is a young veteran of the Birdathon. She and her brother, Kalel, have competed each year since 2021. Pavana won the Young Birder Photo Contest in 2022 and Kalel won in 2021 and 2023. They live in Darien.
Richard said of Pavana’s photo: “A really nicely composed image of the killdeer that has all the elements of a nice photo. Isolated subject, soft light and a background that compliments the subject.”
In addition to the two winners, Richard also chose two honorable mentions — a Blackburnian Warbler by Steve Nunez and a Bald Eagle, also by Roger Vogel.
Our thanks to Richard, a Stamford resident. Richard Freeda has 30-plus years of experience doing commercial portraiture and documentary work for clients that include Dunkin’ Brands, Food Network, GE, NBC Universal, SKYY Vodka, Gatorade, Paramount Pictures, WWE, RBS and BusinessWeek.
You can see his work at richardfreeda.com and on Instagram @richfreedaphoto.
Thank you, Richard! And thank you to all the great photographers. There were so many wonderful photos that we’ve created a gallery of at least one from every contestant, below.
Thank you as well to the Migration Magic sponsors, which we’ve listed below.
Pavana Attonito – Killdeer. Best Photo: Young Birder
Roger Vogel – Tree Swallow. Best Photo Adult Birder
Steve Nunez – Blackburnian Warbler. Honorable Mention
Roger Vogel – Bald Eagle. Honorable Mention
Vincent Florentino – Osprey
Steve Nunez – Piping Plover
Sharon Hirsch – Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Sandy Schill – Yellow-Throated Warbler
Sandy Schill – Bobolinks
Sami Centore – Wood Ducks
Sami Centore – Double-crested Cormorant
Sami Centore – American Robin
Sal DeFini – Bobolink
Sal DeFini – American Redstart
Pavana Attonito – Tree Swallow
Mitzi Fuller – Northern Cardinal
Michelle Babyak – Northern Cardinals
Michelle Babyak – Magnolia Warbler
Michelle Babyak – Black-capped Chickadee
Michele Rybos-Mattiace – European Starling
Liz Jaffin – Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Liz Jaffin – Common Merganser
Liz Jaffin – Bay-breasted Warbler
Lisa Jarosik – Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Lisa Jarosik – Eastern Screech Owl
Linda Olsen – Cedar Waxwing
Linda Olsen – Bay-breasted Warbler
Kim Pettella – Song Sparrow
Kelly Siranko – Tree Swallow
Kelly Siranko – Chipping Sparrow
Katy Brewer – Yellow Warbler
Kali O’Conner – American Oystercatcher
Kalel Attonito – Mallard
John Borowski – Purple Martin
Joe Sugrue – Saltmarsh Sparrow
Isabel Chenoweth – Piping Plovers
Isabel Chenoweth – Mallards
Erin Mahoney – Eastern Bluebirds
Corey Leamy – Wilson’s Phalarope
Corey Leamy – Black-and-white Warbler
Claire Mitchell – House Sparrow
Chitradeep Das – Yellow Warbler
Chitradeep Das – Bald Eagle
Chavie Sandman – Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Carol Skog – Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Carol Skog – Tree Swallows
Brian Willet – Tree Swallow
Brian Willet – Mallard
Bob Gerard – Wilson’s Phalarope & Greater Yellowlegs
Barbara Scavotto – Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Barbara Scavotto – Prarie Warbler
Barbara Scavotto – Field Sparrow
Balint Toth – Orchard Oriole
Balint Toth – Mourning Doves
Ava Burns – Red-tailed Hawk
Ashley Cumberledge – Yellow Warbler
Amy Porter – Red-winged Blackbird
Amy Porter – Barn Swallow
Thank you to the sponsors of Migration Magic 2025!
