By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer
     Despite last weekend’s foggy and drizzly weather, the Mighty Marsh Muckers pressed on, counting 140 species of birds in the early morning hours.
      From 2 a.m to 9:30 a.m last Sunday, the team of birders traversed southern Maine, from Kennebunk Plains to the Belgrade Lakes. The team’s efforts were part of Maine Audubon’s Birdathon, in its ninth year. Birders from all areas of Maine and of all levels of expertise participate in the organization’s fundraiser. All of the money raised by the Muckers, from per-species pledges, will go to the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on Pine Point Road.
      With the center set to open for weekends only starting this Memorial Day weekend, Center Director and Muckers Captain, Linda Woodard said there is still a lot of work to be done. During the Patriots’ Day storm, the center was filled with ten-inches of water and part of the parking lot was washed away.
      “We’re not as far along as we had hoped,” Woodard said on Tuesday. She said when the center opens this weekend, they will really only have half a building as areas of it have rotted and wallboard remains to be put up. In addition, Woodard said a fence and the parking lot need repairs.
      Woodard said she is in need of volunteers to help complete the projects before the center opens seven days a week on June 16.
      The Muckers successful outing will certainly aid in reaching that goal as Woodard said their species count this year was higher than years past. In order for to count a species, Woodard said more than one person on a team has to either see or hear the bird.
      Woodard said the Birdathon usually has an interesting dynamic in that the team members try to catch a few minutes of sleep en route to their next stop. When they reach the next stop, however, she said, everyone jumps out in a frenzy.
      Among the species were some rare birds, Woodard said, including a White-eyed Vireo sighting at Capisic Park in Portland. Woodard said many birders have never seen the species in Maine. In addition, Woodard said the Muckers counted three endangered species including the Piping Plover, the Roseate Tern and the Grasshopper Sparrow.
      Richard Duddy of Portland, a Marsh Mucker and a birder for more than 20 years, said in the early morning hours, they had to rely completely on their ears, “listening for owls and any early risers that might start calling.”
      In his second Birdathon, Scott Cronenweth of South Portland, said the weather added to their challenge, but it didn’t dampen any spirits. He said they had to really work together as a team because they couldn’t see well and the rain quieted the birds’ activity.
      Cronenweth, who runs his own professional birding guide service, said he has been an avid birder for ten years. He didn’t encounter any “life” birds or a species he’s never come across before, but for Cronenweth, birding isn’t only about finding a rare species.
      “It’s a way to connect to the world around me, anytime and anywhere,” he said.
      Volunteers and runners are also needed for the Snowy Egret 5K Run/Walk for the Marsh and Kids 1K Fun Run, scheduled for Memorial Day, May 28. The Kids Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and it will start and end at the Pine Point end of the Eastern Trail. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Scarborough Marsh Center and will end at Peterson Field. For more information, visit www.maineaudubon.org or email smac@maineaudubon.org.