$8,379
Raised of $10,000
Based on 151 bird species each worth $55.49
Big Day Team
Fundraiser Profile
The Migration Magic Big Day Team!
They’re doing it again! Last year’s Big Day challenge was such a success, that Deb, Matt, Stefan and Joe want to see if they can out-do themselves this year. And they have two new team members to improve their chances.
They’re banding together for a Migration Magic “Big Day” on Monday, May 19. Their goal is to spend all day birding together and try to beat last year’s total of 160 species on the way to a goal of 170.
Migration Magic is a month-long fundraiser for Connecticut’s birds. The Big Day was one of the most important components in 2024. It raised $7,500 of the $31,000 that Connecticut bird lovers donated during the month, all of which went to help protect the state’s birds.
Their challenge in 2025 is the same. So let’s all support them by making a per-bird pledge!
Funds raised by the Big Day will be used to manage Connecticut Audubon’s sanctuaries, to improve bird and wildlife habitats throughout the state, and to support advocacy work to improve the state’s bird protection laws.
Membership Director Deb Eccleston, Conservation Manager Stefan Martin, EcoTravel Specialist Matt Bell, and Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater will be out there again.
This year, Lori Lichtenauer, sanctuary manager/naturalist at Deer Pond Farm, has signed on to join them.
They will start well before dawn and end after sundown.
Their route will highlight the variety and diversity of the state’s birds and its habitats, to emphasize why those kinds of habitats need protection and restoration.
You will be able to follow their progress through the Instagram stories they’ll post along the way – @ctaudubon. Keep up with their checklists on the eBird Migration Magic Big Day 2025 trip.
If you haven’t yet made a Migration Magic contribution, the Birdathon Big Day is an exciting place to start.
Big Day Team
3 mo. ago
The team is likely resting today! 151 Bird species in 24 hours is amazing, especially considering the wind and cold yesterday! I think the smiling faces tell the story of the joys of birding and community!
Thank you all for supporting Stefan, Joe, Lori, Matt and Deb as they crossed the state chasing down any bird brave enough to show itself yesterday.
Big Day Team
3 mo. ago
105
bird species
$55.49
Per bird species
$5,826.45
Earned
What a day to be out birding! The Big Team team reported that conditions are very tough.
The blustery, cold wind is keeping birds quiet and making it hard to hear the birds that are singing.
As of 3 p.m., the team — Lori Lichtenauer, Matt Bell, Joe Attwater, Deb Eccleston and Stefan Martin — has logged 105 species.
Unfortunately that puts their goal of 170 species in jeopardy.
But that doesn't mean they're giving up.
And it doesn't mean the $10,000 fundraising goal has changed.
The Big Day has raised just about $6,000 as of mid afternoon.
Donations 106
