The state of consumer birding

For bird-watching enthusiasts and the independent garden centers that supply them, there’s reason to be optimistic about the hobby — the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, released in August 2017, indicated increases in participation in observing, feeding and photographing wildlife, including wild birds. Whether in their backyards or abroad, Baby Boomers and Millennials alike, birders are on the rise. We’ve compiled some interesting insights from the survey: