Migration Magic Photo Contest Winners and Gallery

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 – Prairie 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!