Birding- or bird watching- is booming. 

The US Fish and Wildlife service estimates there are 96 million birders in the United States. That’s one in three adults in this country. And even if you aren’t one of them- you may just be birdwatching by default.

On this episode, Florida Matters executive producer Gracyn Doctor takes you on a bird walk at Lettuce Lake.

And you'll hear about the appeal of birdwatching- and why young people in particular are flocking to the hobby.

Joining the conversation- Ann Paul,  President of the Tampa Audubon and Florida Ornithological Society; Kara Cook, Suncoast Rooftop Biologist with Audubon Florida; and WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan.

Sheridan has reported on efforts by birders in Sarasota to protect a popular birdwatching site from development, and on young Floridians taking up birdwatching.

Cook and Paul also share tips on what you need to get started on birdwatching and how to get involved in monitoring bird populations and conservation efforts.