Wildlife Mississippi Releases Birding Trail Plan

The National Survey on Recreation and the Environment recently reported a 155.2% growth (to 54.1 million persons) in bird watching in the United States between the 1980s and the late 1990s.

An Environmental Protection Agency survey of wildlife watchers along the Middle Platte River in Nebraska concluded that a travel party of birders consisted of about 5 persons, staying in the region approximately 3 days and spent an average of $285 per person. This travel party of birders returned approximately 3.5 times per year spending for a total of $790.17 annually per person. Respondents invested significantly in birding equipment averaging $1,505 person as measured by replacement costs. An average respondent to the survey, contributed between $1,276 and $1,814 per year to the Nebraska economy. The cumulative Total Gross Economic Output of birders is between $25 million and $53 million annually to the Nebraska economy.

Birders are a quiet, educated, conscientious and economically stable group that could contribute significantly to Mississippi's economy. The potential return in economic output of birders is great. By developing the Great Mississippi Birding Trails and promoting them nationally and internationally, birding in Mississippi could provide economic, aesthetic, wildlife and conservation benefits statewide with the most significant benefits accruing in rural communities.

Texas and Florida are the first 2 states to establish significant birding trails. Mississippi could be a new state to establish a trail, taking timely advantage of birding tourism opportunities that would benefit both rural and urban Mississippi.

Mississippi is located in the center of the Mississippi Flyway for waterfowl. In 1935, Frederick Lincoln, a former Secretary of the Interior, wrote "This route [Mississippi Flyway] is followed by such vast numbers of ducks, geese, [and other birds] that observers stationed at favorable points in the Mississippi Valley during the height of migration can see a greater number of species and individuals than can be noted anywhere else in the world."

This provides the opportunity to view over 380 species of neotropical migratory birds which have been recorded in Mississippi, including some of the most colorful birds from South America. In fact, the Magnolia State is in the center of the Mississippi Flyway for birds leaving the Canadian nesting grounds en route to their tropical winter homes.

Birding trail stops could be established around the state, capitalizing on existing, natural, historic and cultural resources. The federal refuges, state wildlife management areas, state parks and the national forest provide opportunities for every type of birding enthusiast.

The success of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail (GTCBT) helps underscore the vast potential of birding trails to provide recreational opportunities, improve support for conservation efforts and offer economic support to local economies. GTCBT travelers devoted 31.23 days to birding on the trail. On their most recent trip, they spent an average of $981.99 per person, mostly in the coastal region. If these patterns remained consistent on other trips taken throughout the year, barriers averaged spending $2,452.18 in a 12 month period.

When considering direct and indirect expenditures using a "multiplier," annual spending was probably closer to $4,900.
Wildlife Mississippi's goal to establish the Great Mississippi Birding Trails includes a series of birding trails. They are: 1) Mississippi River, 2) Tombigbee, 3) Gulf Coast, 4) Pearl River, 5) Natchez Trace, 6) North Mississippi Reservoirs, 7) Choctaw and 8) Pascagoula.
For a complete plan for the Great Mississippi Birding Trails, click here.