Some ideas, but I s'pose no real answer...
Like others, how does one define 'birder' and 'birding'?
As with runners, not every jogger is a sprinter and not every racehorse will
gallop in open company.
Birdwatchers cover the full spectrum, from incidental to rabid, and there
are thousands of us.
Anyone from OS will first notice the amount of space we have in Aus, so
noticing other birders is more by accident than design.....pop/sq. km is way
down when you compare to UK. Birding in Aus is often damn hard yakka in
difficult ambient conditions and you have to travel to do it properly.
I know my local spp. well and hardly a day goes by when I dont pick up the
bino's for something. In my town of approx 10 000, I know of 4 others who
are members of 1 or more listed bird group (I belong to 2). Thats 1:2500 or
8000:20 000 000.
I know of many who know their backyard birds and can tell you which spp.
they see when they drive to Brisvegas or the Gold Coast. They wouldnt
classify themselves as birders, though. They are just curious enough to have
learnt what bird is what and no more.
Like Colin, I have often wondered how many subscribers this archive has
compared to the number who actually contribute?
Someone would know....
Regs
Chris A
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