Birding specialization and satisfaction in Australian birders–a Big Year is not a big issue

Birding as a non-consumptive, nature-related outdoor activity is becoming increasingly popular. Here, using an online survey of Australian birders, we focussed on birding as a construct of recreation specialization and considered three aspects: perceived level of skill/knowledge, behaviour, and involvement. We analysed demographic effects (age, degree and payment for birding services) in relation to level of birding specialization, as well as leisure satisfaction for the first time in Australian birders. We further studied the “Big Year”. Birders can be classified into three groups: casual/novice, intermediate and advanced. Their satisfaction with birding as a leisure activity was generally high. More highly skilled and committed birders reported higher satisfaction, as did birders who participated more frequently. We also found that paid birders reported higher skill/knowledge compared to unpaid birders. Most respondents never participated in a Big Year, but if they did, it was most often in their local geographic area. From a theoretical viewpoint, leisure activity satisfaction should be studied on the general (trait) level as well as on the situational place level in situ. As a managerial implication, institutionalizing a local Big Year in a nearby birding hotspot (with minimal travelling time and costs) may be an enhancing and satisfying task.