More young people flocking to birding as their hobby of choice
CBC
A new generation of birders is embracing the hobby and making it their own.
Birding, bird watching, is the observation of birds in nature. Many participants also capture photographs or sound recordings of their sightings, and keep track of the species they've seen throughout their lives.
In Sudbury, Ont., a Facebook group is providing a platform for birders of all ages and backgrounds to share their sightings, plan meetups and get new information about all things ornithological. About 1,600 people have joined the group, which covers the Sudbury and Manitoulin Island areas.
Group administrator Anne Blondin said she's amazed with the community's growth since it launched in 2017. Blondin works for Parks Canada and previously worked as a field technician on the James Bay Shorebird Project.
"When I first joined the Sudbury Ornithological Society, I was the youngest person," Blondin said.
"In the Facebook group, I definitely am noticing a lot more young people posting. So I guess seeing that kind of shows that more young people are getting involved."
Jack Alvo, secretary of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO), said his group is also seeing more young people taking up the hobby.
"What's also impressive are the number of young people that are totally immersed in birding and who have become highly skilled and knowledgeable in a very short time," Alvo said.
However, he said, younger people seem less likely to join ornithological societies, instead connecting with their peers on social media. That makes counting their numbers more challenging.
Birding is a relatively new hobby for 24-year-old Jerri Carriere in Sudbury. She first looked closely at birds on a Bahamas trip in 2023, which led her to learn about identifying the many species abroad and at home.
Carriere said her interest expanded through the help of modern technology like Merlin, a phone app that listens for, and identifies, bird calls in the area.
"It became a rabbit hole," Carriere said.
"When I went to Fielding [Bird Sanctuary] for the first time, it was almost magical."
She said she stuck with the hobby because it offers a chance to get into nature, and the community has been welcoming and supportive.
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