Migration Magic Birdathon Rules

Lawrence’s Warbler photographed for the 2024 Photo Contest by Cody Limber.

Dates: May 1-31, 2025

Sign up HERE for the Birdathon!

The Migration Magic Birdathon is a friendly competition to spot or hear as many bird species as possible across Connecticut (and a designated area of New York) throughout May 2025—all while raising funds to support the Connecticut Audubon Society.

• You can participate for as many days as you want — there’s no minimum or maximum, as long as you’re birding in May.
• All ages and skill levels are welcome. If you see or hear 50 or more species throughout the month and submit them on an eBird trip report, and also raise or contribute $50 or more, you’ll be entered in a random drawing for this year’s Grand Prize. Your $10 Birdathon entry fee will be counted toward the $50.
• Look for birds anytime during May 2025, anywhere in Connecticut or in the section of Deer Pond Farm that’s in New York.
• Every bird you identify by sight or sound during May counts, as long as you submit an eBird checklist.
• You can also participate with a group of friends or family, although all Birdathon participants will submit individual eBird checklists.
• A great way to participate is to go on one of the dozens of bird walks we’ve scheduled. They’re in all parts of the state throughout May and are led by expert birders.  You can find the schedule here.

Mallards, photographed for the 2024 Photo Contest by Sharon Hirsh.

How To:

1. Register here. Then customize your fundraising page and share your link to collect donations. The donations will be posted to your fundraising page.

2. Accept the eBird Trip: Once you have registered you will receive an invitation for the Migration Magic eBird Trip. Log into eBird (make sure your email is the same as the one you registered with) or create an eBird account. When you accept the invitation, all eBird checklists that you create during May will automatically be added to your Migration Magic tally (retroactively as well).

3. Go out and bird! Look for birds anytime during the month of May, anywhere in Connecticut or in the section of Deer Pond Farm that’s in New York. The more birds you see the more you can raise!

4. Submit your birds to eBird for your official count and update your count on your fundraising page. You can also add your bird lists, highlights, and photos to your fundraising page.

5. Remind folks to donate and share your highlights! Share your birding experiences and your fundraising page throughout the month so people can see what you’re doing and send their support. (Don’t forget to tag us on social media: @ctaudubon (IG) @theconnecticutaudubonsociety (FB))
   Sponsors who pay by check can send checks made out to “The Connecticut Audubon Society” to: Connecticut Audubon Society, 314 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

6. Recognize and appreciate your achievements! Without your support none of this would be possible!

Rules:

1. All birds must be submitted to the Migration Magic 2025 eBird Trip to be counted towards your total. You can use a computer or the eBird app on your phone to submit checklists.
   Make sure your email address for your registration is the same for eBird. Final checklists must be submitted by midnight, Thursday, June 5.

2. All sightings must occur in Connecticut, with one exception: The section of Deer Pond Farm in New York, although you must be on the property when you make your observation. If you make an eBird checklist outside of Connecticut and Deer Pond Farm, New York), you must go into the Migration Trip Report, select Manage Checklists and uncheck the report. We cannot do this for you and if you do not do this by June 5th your lists will not be submitted. Unfortunately, eBird tallies all species submitted within the timeframe and does not sort out locations.  

3. Prizes: If you identify 50 or more species in May via the eBird trip report, and also raise or contribute $50 or more, you’ll be entered in a random drawing for this year’s grand prize. Your $10 Birdathon entry fee will be counted toward the $50. See Prizes tab for more information.

4. You can also participate with a group of friends or family, although all Birdathon participants must submit individual eBird checklists.

5. The Merlin Bird ID app is a great tool, but the Sound ID should not be the only means of identifying birds. Merlin will often detect birds that the user doesn’t detect, and it sometimes misidentifies birds. Make every effort to see or hear the birds the app identifies.

6. Rare Birds: Refer to this official checklist. If you see or hear a bird not on the list, or that’s listed in italics, it must be confirmed by a judge by photo or recording.

Prizes:

Grand Prize: The Grand Prize winner will be chosen at random from among Birdathon participants. To be entered in the drawing, sign up for the Birdathon. If you identify at least 50 species during May (and submit your eBird checklists), AND raise or contribute at least $50, you’ll be entered in the drawing for the grand prize. Your $10 entry fee will be counted toward the $50. 

Prizes will also be awarded for:

• Most species seen during May — adult participant. First place and second place.
• Most species seen during May — young birder (17 years and younger).
• Most money raised by a Birdathon participant.
  

Great Blue Heron, photographed for the 2024 Photo Contest by Olivia Vignola.

Photo Contest: 

• Best Photo taken during the Birdathon by an Adult.
• Best Photo taken during the Birdathon by a Young Birder (17 years or under) 

Prize Eligibility :

• Photo Contest participants must be registered for the Birdathon.
• “Young Birders” must be 17 years of age or younger to qualify.
• All photographs must be taken in Connecticut during May, with one exception: The section of Deer Pond Farm in New York, although you must be on the Deer Pond Farm property at all times.
• Participants may submit up to 3 images.
• Submitted by Friday, June 6, to migrationmagic@ctaudubon.org. Please include the date the photo was taken and the location in your email.
  
• (see the Photo Contest page for full rules and details)

Please go to the FAQ for more information and details.

Thank you to the sponsors of Migration Magic 2025!