Benefits of birding
It is interesting just how many people are involved in birdwatching in some manner. From setting up a basic feeder to joining the “600 Club,” it is a hobby for enthusiasts at all levels. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 48.6 million Americans now include birding as one of their hobbies. One of the greatest attractions of this hobby is that little cost needs to be involved to get started. But that does not mean that people do not find a way to spend money.
Birders may not need expensive equipment, but they have money to spend. Americans spent $45 billion observing, feeding and photographing wildlife in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey. USA Today
Businesses and states are beginning to recognize the importance of this growing market and are catering directly to birders. Luckily, we seem to be leaving a favorable impression.
“…And they are a very thoughtful group that believes in leaving no trace, so they don’t require a lot of municipal services to clean up after them.” Ibid.
Birding, like any wildlife activity, instills an appreciation for nature and a curiosity in the natural world. It emphasizes basic values, such as cleaning up after yourself, respect for the environment and basic conservation. It invigorates the mind and relaxes the body. What other benefits do you see in birding?
backyard birding, birding, birdwatching
September 20th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
I think that it helps you escape form stress.You are so focused on finding and watching birds that you can’t think about much else!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I went on my first real birding trip over the weekend in the mountains in Colorado. I’ll write more about it later after I look to see if any of my pictures turned out.
But the exercise was nice…light, and you are focused on something else so don’t really notice.
And there is something of the thrill of the hunt without actually having to shoot at anything. I would starve as a hunter, I think.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
I have only been birding for about 2 years now and I love it. It gives an extra dimension to your holiday or day trip. I now have 319 species on my life list (from across Europe, The Gambia and Florida).
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Congratulations! I would think those would all be interesting places to go birding. And in Florida, you can even see “wild” budgies which are native to Australia. I do not know why that fascinates me so, but I have always wanted to go see them.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:53 am
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