Local teen hits goal of seeing 275 bird species in one year

A teenager from this region is celebrating a remarkable year as 2023 comes to an end.

Markus Legzdins set a record that took perseverance and dedication from the first day of the year right up until the last day of 2023.

Legzdins’ goal was to see 275 different species of birds in one year, in the Hamilton area, within 40 kilometers of Dundurn Castle.

Something never done before by a 17-year-old in this area.

“I just wanted to take on a challenge for a year,” says Legzdins.

Legzdins hit his goal two days ago, with a list of birds from Golden Eagles to Goldeneyes, Kestrels to Kittiwakes, all of which he spotted around Hamilton.

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In birding or birdwatching, it’s called a big year, and Legzdins’ big year of 275 species is impressing other birders.

“Dedication, going out every single day, and pure passion. You have to love this to get to that,” says birder Wendy Robins.

Legzdins says it wasn’t easy. “I spent several hours each week out in the field.”

But he says it’s worth it, like the memory of seeing a Franklin’s Gull, his 275th species.

Legzdins had the support of his family, who are proud of what he’s accomplished.

“Just to have that drive to keep on the entire year. It’s one thing to say you’re going to go for that 275, and then drop off, but he just kept on going no matter what, the weather, school, everything, he just kept going,” says his mother.

This is also the time of year for the annual Christmas bird count when people count the number of birds in their area.

Experts are concerned that year after year, the bird count has been going down steadily.

But Markus raised almost five thousand dollars for the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club with his big year and says he plans to keep studying birds as he starts college next fall.

As for the record of 275, he was still watching for birds, hoping for that next rare sighting.

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