On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 2:48 PM, Alan McBride<> wrote:
> Amazing numbers: can't imagine what Britain's numbers are like:-)
>
> May be just useful too to fight the "gun lobby"!
>
> http://tinyurl.com/kj5eno
>
>
> BIRDWATCHERS: THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!
> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines 1 in 5 Americans are birdwatchers
You really have to wonder how they come up with these numbers. I lived
in the US for a long time and can assure you that 20% of the
population is a wildly exaggerated figure - I'd be amazed if the
number were more than a few in a thousand. Partly, I suppose it
depends how you define "bird watcher". I'd say at a minimum:
* Has a pair of binoculars.
* Can name at least the common species in their area.
That's not a high bar but most of the 20% wouldn't be able to clear
it. I suspect they're lumping in people that have bird feeders
(feeding trays) - at which point you suddenly get a huge leap in
numbers. Shops like Costco and Wild Birds Unlimited doubtlessly move a
lot of bird seed over any twelve month period, but that hardly makes
these folks "bird watchers."
In the US I've found that, by and large, people have very low levels
of general bird knowledge. Here in Australia, I'm impressed by how
much people know. People see me with binoculars and say "Oh, you like
birds? I don't know much about them but..." and then proceed to rattle
off interesting observational details about a dozen species. Not only
that, people here often know the names and habits of a wide range of
local birds. I can't remember people having strong opinions about
birds in the US. (Okay, a lot of people don't like Rock Doves and
everyone seems to like hummingbirds.) Down here, you had best have
some time on your hands if get people started about Satin Bowerbirds,
Currawongs or Magpies!
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