My introduction to birding began in a college ornithology class. Despite the 6 a.m. Saturday starts, the experience left a lasting impression — from seeing dozens of eagles roosting along the Mississippi River to observing waterfowl in the backwaters, this first exposure to viewing and identifying birds in the wild was eye opening.

A few years later, I attended my first Christmas bird count and was in awe of all the local experts who could identify birds by their silhouettes or songs. Later, when I began mist-netting songbirds, I found out about holding a bird in your hand as you gently added a band to the leg and used the feathers to age them. I can say that I will never forget the identity of those birds that I held and carefully detangled from the net. 

Whether banding geese in the subarctic or translocating prairie chickens, all these opportunities are treasured memories. Because of these experiences, I was excited to read about the growing interest in birding among younger generations.

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor hobbies for Gen Z and younger generations with young birder clubs forming across the country. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 demographic and economic survey on birding, 37 percent of the population ages 16 and older, or about 96 million people, are birders. This is defined as anyone who tried to identify birds around their home or traveled a mile to view them. Of the estimated 96 million birders, 23 million were in the 65-plus age group, and 19 million were between 55-64, meaning 44 percent were over age 55. Still, even four years ago, participation rates among younger age groups were strong, ranging from 30-36 percent.

With so many changes in how the younger generation spends their free time, this trend is wonderful to see. Birds connect ecosystems, interest groups and people. They can be indicators of ecosystem health and a gateway to other outdoor wildlife experiences. Connecting people to the outdoors is often the first step to building a conservation ethic. Birding is for all ages and can be started on your own or by joining a local birding group. I encourage you to grab a pair of binoculars, download an identification app and see if you can identify birds around you. Summer is the perfect time to start.