Depending on the bin set-up, thicker, mud-like stuff at the bottom is nothing wrong - it's just wetter. Somebody suggested just turning the bin over into another and that stuff will dry out.

As for getting all the worms out, speaking personally, I wouldn't stress about it - there's always some. As you establish your 'new' bin, they'll make more.

"Even tho the the pile was in shade" . . . ?
Harvesting uses either light or some sort of mechanical sifting.
Put harvesting in the search box.
Also watch YouTube videos about vermicompost harvesting.

Can you get some burlap ? IMO that's a gentle and slow method. You do something else while the worms crawl away from light, dive through the burlap to a new bin below.

There are faster methods, aka trommels, of all sizes and complexity.

How you harvest depends on what you can make work with your preferences, skills and . . . imagination. I think it helps to realize that it doesn't quite happen by itself.

Let us know what you end up doing with subsequent harvests.
I'd like to see a picture of your bin.

I do as barbara mentioned. I have another bid ready, and lay the burlap on top of that. I spread some compost and worms over the burlap and go have a coffee. When I come back I scoop up the compost and check for any stray worms, put it in my compost bucket and then lay out another layer of worms and compost.

I too just had my first harvest and it still is not done. I continue to pick cocoons out and baby worms from the castings. I do not have the heart to let the soil dry.
Similar to your burlap idea, I put the bin to to harvested on top of the current working bin under a light and that helped me a lot.
I also heard leaving the burlap between the bedding and food while the bin is worked may also be a great help to catch both worms and cocoons. I plan on trying it as soon as i get my hands on burlap.
On another note, I am having so much fun with my pets. I love getting down and dirty and worm watching, not that they like me as much I do them, but they have grown in numbers! I started with 1000 red wigglers and one bin and now 4 months later have 2 full bins, 1 that is 1 month old started with a couple hundred worms and another I just started last week. I try different feeds in the bins and play around to see what my worms like the best. So far it has been rice and corn on the cob.. ohh dont forget they love manure.

That's the spirit !

Are you reading old posts ?
Want me to recommend particular threads ?

I put the latest scoop of cocoons between layers of burlap
so I could watch & maybe photograph the hatchlings.

I looked and couldn't find my picture of cocoons in a strainer.
C'est la vie. And it won't be on this laptop even if I saved it.
Details on request but may not be particularly interesting.