Overview
2020 has been a slow year for many industries, but hobbies like bird watching--safely be accomplished while mask-wearing and social distancing--have gotten a huge boost. Sales of birding supplies, like binoculars, feeders, field guides, etc... are stronger than ever.
Not only are there more birders out there this year, birding in Southeast Michigan in 2020 is better than usual due to an irruption year, where many species not normally found in our region have been sighted, due to optimal nesting success and an ensuing expansion of population territory.
The influx of new birders into the field is a boon for conservation groups that track population numbers through reported sightings by volunteers. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground, conservation, and they are calling all birders to help with counts.