Photo Credit: Quinta Mazatlan
There’s a multigenerational group of people who spend billions of dollars in pursuit of their hobby, passion, or vocation. They may travel hundreds and thousands of miles in their pursuit, yet will frequent local parks almost religiously. They are armed with a variety of tools, but nearly all are distinguished by two identifying features: binoculars and a keen attentiveness to the avian world. These are birdwatchers.
For a birdwatcher, a single bird can be cause for celebration. In December 2017, a Blue Bunting appeared in the South Texas thorn forest of Quinta Mazatlan. Because it was only the 52nd of record for the United States, hundreds of birdwatchers from around the state and country flocked to the site. One 5-inch bird increased park visitation from out-of-town visitors by over 500 percent during a roughly two-month stay (337 visitors in 2016-17 jumped to 2,303 in 2017-18). The birdwatchers’ travel costs—flights, car rentals, hotel nights, food, etc.—ended up having an economic impact worth roughly $1 million.
While individual sightings of the Blue Bunting are rare, sightings of rare birds across the United States and Canada are regular occurrences. These birds are considered rare because they are discovered far away from their normal range; the Blue Bunting is a non-migratory species found in Mexico. Depending on when they show up and where, they can generate a considerable economic impact.