CT Audubon Big Day Team

They’re doing it again! The last two years' Big Day challenges were such a success, that Membership Director Deb Eccleston, Conservation Manager Stefan Martin, EcoTravel Specialist Matt Bell, Conservation and Education Coordinator Joe Attwater, and Lori Lichtenauer, sanctuary manager/naturalist at Deer Pond Farm want to see if they can out-do themselves this year.
 
They’re banding together for a Migration Magic “Big Day” on Monday, May 18. Their goal is to spend all day birding together and try to beat last year’s total of 151 species. Their 2026 goal: 170 species!

Migration Magic is a month-long fundraiser for Connecticut’s birds and the Big Day was one of the most important components in 2025. It raised $8,379 of the $42,388 that Connecticut bird lovers donated during the month, all of which went to help protect the state’s birds.

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 2026 trip.

If you haven’t yet made a Migration Magic contribution, the Big Day is a perfect place to start!