A team of expert birders will seek and count birds for 24 hours straight on Saturday to raise money for the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on Pine Point Road.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m., the Mighty Marsh Muckers will travel all over southern Maine to count as many bird species as possible as part of Maine Audubon’s ninth annual Birdathon, a bird-watching event in which individuals or teams secure per-species pledges and then search for and identify as many bird species as possible to support Maine Audubon’s work for wildlife conservation.

All funds raised by the Marsh Muckers will help support Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, which was severely damaged in the Patriot’s Day storm.

“We have a lot of work to do get the center back up and running before Memorial Day,” said Linda Woodard, director of Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center and captain of the Mighty Marsh Muckers. “Pledges to the Marsh Muckers are especially appreciated this year.”

Scarborough resident and avid birder Eddie Woodin has already pledged $1,000 to the team and challenges others to join him in supporting the Audubon Center.

In addition to Woodin and Woodard, who lives in Gray, the Mighty Marsh Muckers team includes Jay Adams of Augusta, Scott Cronenweth of South Portland, Peter Darling of Cape Elizabeth and Richard Duddy of Portland.

Last year the team saw 139 species; in 2005 they saw 145.

To make a pledge to the Mighty Marsh Muckers team, call 781-2332, ext. 213, or e-mail smac@maineaudubon.org.