Is birding replacing golf as a top reason attracting visitors to Sarasota?
According to County Commissioner Christine Robinson and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, it probably is. Even the county’s “Visit Sarasota” tourist bureau reports that more visitors are coming for the real eagles and birdies instead of those on the fairways. In surveys of departing Sarasota visitors conducted in 2013 from January to March, when visitors were asked what recreations they had enjoyed while visiting Sarasota, 17% checked wildlife watching while only 12% mentioned golf. Of course the beaches and dining remain at the top of that list, cited by 83% and 82% of those surveyed.
Because it’s a quiet, subtle recreation, many will be surprised that birding has a powerful economic impact. A 2006 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission determined that wildlife watching has a yearly economic impact surpassing $5 billion statewide. Bird-watching is a common motivation behind the purchase of cameras, binoculars, visors, and hiking boots, and it’s behind the record attendance figures most Florida state parks seeing. Of particular interest to bird watchers is Celery Field Park, just east of I-75 and south of Fruitville Road. In 2001, Sarasota’s Audubon Society began bird surveys at Celery Field Park, and so far, 216 species have been officially spotted there.
In fact, Florida has a more diverse bird population than any other state. More than 500 species can be spotted across the state, and half of them can be seen in Sarasota County. Endangered Florida species include the wood stork and peregrine falcon. Birders will also spot threatened species including the bald eagle and Florida scrub jay in both rural and urban parts of Sarasota County. Of course, wildlife viewing is part of the bigger “ecotourism” trend, and the area’s beaches benefit nicely. Birders flock to Siesta Key, for example, to see the threatened snowy plover, which lays its eggs in the powdery white sand. Sarasota Bay and other nearby waterways are perfect locations for spotting brown pelicans, snowy egrets, blue herons, white ibis, and roseate spoonbills.
The Sarasota community has a long record of success at balancing development needs with environmental needs. Sarasota County is the home of more than 150 city, county, state, and private parks and nature preserves. County and local government works closely with the Audubon Society to preserve threatened bird species and to enhance the birding experience for everyone.