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Birding: Big Business in Parks Great Lakes Park Training Institute

February 2005 Speaker-John Schaust

Workshop Description for Program: Learn about the basics and benefits of incorporating bird and birder friendly experiences in your parks. We’ll include a few bird identifications tips as well.

Program Outline INTRODUCTION

• Speaker’s Background and Experience • Overview of Topic • Benefits the program may have for audience

BIRDING BIG BUSINESS – STATISTICS

• USFWS Report – PowerPoint • Economic Impacts

THE VALUE OF BIRDING TO PARKS / SOCIETY

• Educate Public about pressures facing birds / habitats • Place more value on the importance of birds with local community • Potential Value to Parks / Properties:

o Increased Funding – Increase in local/national support for the protection of bird habitat and biodiversity (Potato Creek)

o Resource Management Benefits - Birders are typically conservation minded, willing to volunteer to help. Birdwatching has less impact on resources than other forms of tourism

o Land Acquisition - Can lead to the protection of unprotected areas favored by Birders (Gary – Migrant Trap, Goose Pond)

o Public Relations /Education – Increases the value of local natural history expertise…recognized interpretive resource for visitors and media.

o Research Support – Formal and informal research about population trends and management practices

WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING IN THEIR PARKS? Events, programs and activities that agencies have tried INCORPORATING BIRDS AND BIRDERS FRIENDLY EXPERIENCES

• Birding Festivals • Weekend Theme Interpretive Events • Birding Trails • Habitat Plantings, Nesting Box Trails and Feeding Stations • Golf Course Habitat Enrichment

BIRDING FESTIVALS

• International Migratory Bird Day Festival Video • Case histories and Regional examples • ABA Birding Festival Organizational Manual • International Migratory Bird Day Planning Guide • Project Flying Wild Planning Guide

THEMED INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS

• Eagle Weekend • Bluebird Festivals • How to feed and house

BIRDING TRAILS

• Multi-property partnerships to promote birding • Partnerships with organizations and business

NESTING BOX TRAILS, HABITAT PLANTINGS AND FEEDING STATIONS

• Bluebird trails • Wildlife Plantings • Birdfeeders and other nesting boxes

GOLF COURSE HABITAT ENRICHMENT

• CD Video • Smock Golf Course • Audubon International • Kalamazoo Nature Center

A LITTLE BIRDING FUN TO WRAP-UP Top 20 Feeder Birds in the Midwest

Birding:Birding:BIGBIG Business in ParksBusiness in Parks

John SchaustJohn SchaustChief NaturalistChief Naturalist

Wild Birds UnlimitedWild Birds Unlimited

Birding in the United States:Birding in the United States:a Demographic and Economic a Demographic and Economic

AnalysisAnalysis

Addendum to the 2001 National Survey of Addendum to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and WildlifeFishing, Hunting and Wildlife--Associated Associated

RecreationRecreation

A A ““BirderBirder””(As defined by the USFWS)(As defined by the USFWS)

• Anyone traveling over one mile primarily to observe birds

• Anyone closely observing /identifying birds at home

• 16 years of age and older

Birders Birders -- 20012001

•• 46 million birders in USA46 million birders in USA

•• > 1 out of every 5 people> 1 out of every 5 people

•• 40 million 40 million ““at homeat home”” BirdersBirders

•• 18 million 18 million ““away for homeaway for home”” BirdersBirders(some do both activities)(some do both activities)

What Birders Like to WatchWhat Birders Like to Watch

78

70

68

56

43

0 20 40 60 80 100

Waterfowl

Songbirds

Birds of Prey

Shorebirds

Misc.

Percent of Bird Watchers

Participation by Age GroupsParticipation by Age Groups

14

9

17

2426

28

24

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Per

cent

of

Age

Gro

up

16/17 18/24 25/34 35/44 45/54 55/64 65+Age of Birder

Participation by IncomeParticipation by Income

21

18

21

21

22

20

24

24

27

27

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

-10

20-24

30-34

40-49

75-99

Inco

me

(Tho

usan

ds o

f $)

Percent of Income Group

Birders by Gender

Female54%

Male46%

BirderBirder’’s by Location of Residences by Location of Residence

2218

28

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Per

cent

of

Bir

ders

NationalAverage

Urban Rural

Location of Residence

Participation by EducationParticipation by Education

14

19

23

26

33

0 10 20 30 40

High School 1-3

High School 4

College 1-3

College 4

College 5+

Educ

atio

n

Percent of Birders by Group

Birders by StateBirders by State

35

29

2318 20 22

05

10152025303540

KY IN MI IL OH USA

State

Per

cen

t o

f B

ird

ers

in P

op

ula

tio

n

Birders by State Birders by State residents and nonresidents [avg. 9%]residents and nonresidents [avg. 9%]

0.8

1.4

1.9 1.8 1.9

00.20.40.60.8

11.21.41.61.8

2

Bir

ders

(M

illio

ns)

KY IN MI IL OHState

Economic Impact of Birders: Economic Impact of Birders: Selected States 2001Selected States 2001

TRAVELTRAVEL EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT TOTALTOTAL(in Millions of Dollars)(in Millions of Dollars)

•• IllinoisIllinois $85$85 $240$240 $325$325

•• IndianaIndiana $118$118 $216$216 $334$334

•• KentuckyKentucky $49$49 $105$105 $154$154

•• MichiganMichigan $282$282 $284$284 $566$566

•• OhioOhio $130$130 $279$279 $408$408

Amount that birders spent on all wildlife watchingAmount that birders spent on all wildlife watching

Economic Impact of Birders: Economic Impact of Birders: USA 2001USA 2001

•• Retail SalesRetail Sales $32 billion$32 billion•• Overall ImpactOverall Impact $85 billion$85 billion•• Salary/WagesSalary/Wages $25 billion$25 billion•• State Income TaxState Income Tax $ 5 billion$ 5 billion•• Federal Income TaxFederal Income Tax $ 7 billion$ 7 billion•• Jobs Jobs 863,406863,406

Amount that birders spent on all wildlife watchingAmount that birders spent on all wildlife watching

Economic Impact of Birders: Economic Impact of Birders: Selective Product CategoriesSelective Product Categories USA 2001USA 2001

•• $3.1 billion on food for birds and other wildlife$3.1 billion on food for birds and other wildlife

•• $733 million on bird houses and feeders$733 million on bird houses and feeders

•• $2.6 billion on cameras and associated $2.6 billion on cameras and associated photographic equipmentphotographic equipment

•• $507 million on binoculars and spotting scopes$507 million on binoculars and spotting scopes

Summary Summary

Nationwide:Nationwide:

•• 66 million Americans actively participate in wildlife 66 million Americans actively participate in wildlife watching watching (USFWS 2001 data)(USFWS 2001 data)

•• 46 million Americans are birdwatchers46 million Americans are birdwatchers

•• Birdwatching is the fastest growing form of outdoor Birdwatching is the fastest growing form of outdoor recreationrecreation---- a 236% increase in participation from 1982 a 236% increase in participation from 1982 to 2001, from 21 million to 71 million to 2001, from 21 million to 71 million (National Survey on (National Survey on Recreation and the Environment 2000Recreation and the Environment 2000--01). 01).

SummarySummary

Adding revenues to local economiesAdding revenues to local economies——

•• Wildlife watchers spent $38.4 billion in 2001Wildlife watchers spent $38.4 billion in 2001---- resulting resulting in a $95.8 billion contribution to the nationin a $95.8 billion contribution to the nation’’s economy s economy and producing more than one million jobs.and producing more than one million jobs.

•• Birdwatchers spent $32 billion in 2001 that in turn Birdwatchers spent $32 billion in 2001 that in turn generated $85 billion in economic benefits, produced generated $85 billion in economic benefits, produced $13 billion in tax revenues and 863,406 jobs $13 billion in tax revenues and 863,406 jobs (USFWS, 2001)(USFWS, 2001)

Other Potential Positive Impacts of Other Potential Positive Impacts of BirdwatchingBirdwatching

•• Increased FundingIncreased Funding –– Increase in local/national support Increase in local/national support for the protection of bird habitat and biodiversity for the protection of bird habitat and biodiversity (Potato Creek)(Potato Creek)

•• Resource Management BenefitsResource Management Benefits -- Birders are Birders are typically conservation minded, willing to volunteer to typically conservation minded, willing to volunteer to help. Birdwatching has less impact on resources than help. Birdwatching has less impact on resources than other forms of tourismother forms of tourism

•• Land AcquisitionLand Acquisition -- Can lead to the protection of Can lead to the protection of unprotected areas favored by Birders unprotected areas favored by Birders (Gary (Gary –– Migrant Trap, Goose Pond)Migrant Trap, Goose Pond)

•• Public Relations / EducationPublic Relations / Education -- Adds value to local Adds value to local natural history expertisenatural history expertise……recognized interpretive recognized interpretive resource for visitors and media.resource for visitors and media.

•• Research SupportResearch Support –– Formal and informal research Formal and informal research about population trends and management practicesabout population trends and management practices

How is Your Park or Agency How is Your Park or Agency Incorporating Bird or Birder Incorporating Bird or Birder

Friendly Experiences?Friendly Experiences?

Methods to Capture Birders at Your Methods to Capture Birders at Your ParkPark

•• Birding FestivalsBirding Festivals•• Weekend Themed Interpretive EventsWeekend Themed Interpretive Events•• Birding TrailsBirding Trails•• Habitat Plantings, Nesting Box Trails and Habitat Plantings, Nesting Box Trails and

Feeding Stations Feeding Stations •• Golf Course Habitat EnrichmentGolf Course Habitat Enrichment

Birding FestivalsBirding Festivals

•• Large, Medium and SmallLarge, Medium and Small•• Festival VideoFestival Video•• International Migratory Bird DayInternational Migratory Bird Day

May 14, 2005May 14, 2005•• American Birding AssociationAmerican Birding Association•• Flying WildFlying Wild

http://birds.fws.gov/imbd.html

http://www.americanbirding.org/index.html

http://www.flyingwild.org/

Themed Interpretive EventsThemed Interpretive Events

•• Eagle Watch WeekendEagle Watch Weekend

•• Lake Erie Wing WatchLake Erie Wing Watch

•• Mohican Wildlife WeekendMohican Wildlife Weekend

•• The Southern Illinois 2005 Birding FestThe Southern Illinois 2005 Birding Fest

http://www.eaglesatlakemonroe.com/Events.htm

http://www.dnr.ohio.gov/news/mar04/0331wingwatch.htm

http://www.mohicanwildlifeweekend.com/

http://www.birdingblitz.org/

Birding TrailsBirding Trails

•• Birding Trails in North AmericaBirding Trails in North America

•• Bird Watchers DigestBird Watchers Digest

•• Pine to Prairie Birding TrailPine to Prairie Birding Trail

•• John James Audubon Birding TrailJohn James Audubon Birding Trail

http://americanbirding.org/resources/birdingtrails.html

http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/travel/trails_list.aspx

http://www.mnbirdtrail.com/

http://www.thinkwestkentucky.com/birding/

Nesting Box Trails, Habitat Nesting Box Trails, Habitat Plantings and Feeding StationsPlantings and Feeding Stations

•• Visitor Information Visitor Information –– USIUSI

•• Bluebird TrailsBluebird Trails

•• TransTrans--Kentucky Bluebird TrailKentucky Bluebird Trail

http://www.evansvillecvb.org/visitor-information/attractions-detail.tpl?ID=107

http://nabluebirdsociety.org/start.htm

http://www.biology.eku.edu/KBS/tkbtinfo.html

Golf Course Habitat EnrichmentGolf Course Habitat Enrichment

•• Smock Golf CourseSmock Golf Course

•• Audubon InternationalAudubon International

•• Kalamazoo Nature CenterKalamazoo Nature Center

http://www.smockgolf.com/

http://www.audubonintl.org/programs/acss/golf.htm

http://www.naturecenter.org/research/CWP-GolfCourses.htm

Quiz Time!Quiz Time!

BrownBrown--headed Cowbirdheaded Cowbird

W. J

ohns

on

Regional Rank #20• Seen at 43% of feeders • Average flock size = 4.1

Continental Rank #25

Food Preferences• Mixed seed

Hairy WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerRegional Rank #19

• Seen at 49% of feeders• Average flock size = 1.3


Miln

e

Food Preferences• Suet

WhiteWhite--throated Sparrowthroated SparrowRegional Rank #18




M. M

cCal

l

Song SparrowSong SparrowRegional Rank #17



L. E

lliott


Carolina WrenCarolina WrenRegional Rank #16



R. E

lliot


Common GrackleCommon GrackleRegional Rank #15



M. D

uttw

eile

r

Food Preferences• Mixed seed• Suet

Tufted TitmouseTufted TitmouseRegional Rank #14

• Seen at 63% of feeders • Average flock size = 2.0


L. B

arke

r

Food Preferences• Striped sunflower seed• Black-oil sunflower seed

American RobinAmerican RobinRegional Rank #13



Miln

e

Food Preferences• Fresh and dried fruit

WhiteWhite--breasted Nuthatchbreasted NuthatchRegional Rank #12



H. K

ey

Food Preferences• Suet• Sunflower seed• Peanuts

RedRed--bellied Woodpeckerbellied WoodpeckerRegional Rank #11



L. B

arke

r


Blue JayBlue JayRegional Rank #10


Continental Rank #6

L. B

arke

r

Food Preferences• Striped sunflower seed• Peanuts in shell

European StarlingEuropean StarlingRegional Rank #9


Continental Rank #9

S. W

right


House SparrowHouse SparrowRegional Rank #8



L. E

lliott


BlackBlack--capped / Carolina Chickadeecapped / Carolina Chickadee

Regional Rank #7• Seen at 87% of feeders• Average flock size = 2.2

Continental Rank #2

Food Preferences• Sunflower seed

I. Jeklin

Black-capped Chickadee

Carolina Chickadee

Downy WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerRegional Rank #6


Continental Rank #3

A. T

oppi

ng


American GoldfinchAmerican GoldfinchRegional Rank #5


Continental Rank #5

Winter plumage Summer male

C. R

ay

L. W

orth

ingt

on

Food Preferences• Nyjer seed• Black-oil sunflower seed

House FinchHouse FinchRegional Rank #4


Continental Rank #7

Food Preferences• Black-oil sunflower seed• Hulled sunflower seed

T. F

auce

glia

DarkDark--eyed Juncoeyed JuncoRegional Rank #3


Continental Rank #1

H. K

ey


Mourning DoveMourning DoveRegional Rank #2

• Seen at 96% of feeders • Average flock size = 4.9

Continental Rank #4

C. J

ohns

on

Food Preferences• Mixed seed• Cracked corn

Northern CardinalNorthern CardinalRegional Rank #1


Continental Rank #8

Female

Male

Food Preferences • Striped sunflower seed• Black-oil sunflower seed• Safflower seed

A. T

oppi

ng

L. B

arke

r

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