Reed Robinson from Portland, Maine (above) and Zita Robertson from Canton, Missouri (below) are the ABA Young Birders of the Year!

Each year the American Birding Association (ABA) names 2 Young Birders of the Year, one between the ages of 10 and 13, the other between 14 and 18. The 2022 winners have just been announced: Zita Robertson, 13, from Canton, Missouri, and Reed Robinson, 17, from Portland, Maine. The Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program is used to guide, encourage, and provide expert advice that aids young birders in developing their skills and talents. The program began in 1998, and as it enters its 25th year it continues to inspire up-and-coming leaders in the birding community.

Participants can adapt the program to suit their interests by choosing among 5 modules: Field Notebook, Conservation and Community Leadership, Photography, Illustration, and Writing. Field work is conducted from July to March, and participants foster friendships in a private and secure online workspace where they can offer support to one another and seek guidance from the dedicated panel of mentors.

Congratulations to Zita and Reed, and to all the young birders who participated during the past year! Great thanks to all the program mentors, and a special thank you for the generous support of the program sponsor, Zeiss Sports Optics!

To learn about more about all of the young birders involved and their personal strengths among the 5 program modules, see 2022 ABA Young Birders of The Year - American Birding Association Are you a young birder who is interested in participating in the ABA’s Young Birders Program?