York County Audubon invites the community to a special program at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 21, when Ethan and Ingrid Whitaker will share the story of their 2024 Lower 48 State Big Year. Over the course of a single year, the Whitakers traveled from coast to coast and border to border, observing 708 species of birds. They will share their adventures with photographs, videos, and funny stories from the road.

Together, Ethan and Ingrid planned and executed an ambitious year of birding with an unorthodox strategy that resulted in a hundred more birds than expected. From high deserts to remote mountains, from migration hotspots to windswept coastlines, they chased rarities and regional species, often learning as much about people and places as they did about the birds themselves.

The Whitakers’ program will not only recount the species they saw and the miles they traveled, but will also share practical tips, planning thoughts, and reflections on how a year of bird-focused travel deepened their appreciation for the landscapes and communities across America. 

Ethan is a retired software developer and entrepreneur who has started and sold multiple companies. In 2021, Ethan completed a Maine Big Year, setting a new state record of 324 species. Ingrid is an award-winning teacher and science educator, recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and a Maine Teacher of the Year finalist. When she retired in 2023, she concludedforty years in the classroom. They live in Wiscasset.

Following their presentation, Ethan and Ingrid will sign copies of their book, Every Bird from Sea to Shining Sea, which captures the full sweep of their 2024 Big Year adventure in words and images. Those who own copies are welcome to bring them along. The book will also be available for purchase at the event, along with their other two books. One Man’s Journey to See Every Bird in Maine and What’s That Bird? A Kid’s Guide to the Backyard Birds of New England.

This program will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21st in the Mather Auditorium at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. It will be free and open to all ages, and no registration is required for attending the program in person. It will also be live-streamed via Zoom.  To view it via Zoom, you’ll need to register in advance.  To do so, please click on this link and enter your name and email address: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9BndbfrZSsSksZThcAz1Tw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We hope you can join us either in person, or, if not, via Zoom!