Birdwatching is a rising hobby across the United States — especially in Utah.
Hundreds of different bird species call Utah their home, and thousands of individuals have made it their hobby to record and find every single one of them.
"Utah itself is impressive because it’s part of a flyway. We got the Great Salt Lake. (The) Great Salt Lake is one of the top birding stopovers," Paul Jaussi said.
Jaussi is the director of the Red Cliffs Audubon in Saint George and has been birdwatching for the past 22 years. He’s spent the past eight years in Utah.
"In my 20-plus years of living in Washington County, Oregon, I saw 172 different species of birds. I moved here and after one year, I had 180 (birds)," Jaussi said.
Max Malmquist, the engagement manager for the Saline Lakes Program in Salt Lake, is a personal witness to how much the general public has become involved in birdwatching.
"Birding in general, or birdwatching, has just skyrocketed. And, to me, one of the things I love about it is anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter your skill level, where you are, how much money you have," Malmquist said. "Birds are incredibly accessible. You can, you know, put up some bird feeders in your backyard and watch them through your window. You can go to any local park and see birds."
Utah is a great place to start birdwatching. At the conjunction of four different ecological regions, birds of all different shapes and sizes call Utah their home.
"Utah is very unique for birding because we do have different eco regions and different habitats. And that’s one of the things living on the Wasatch Front that is super unique," Malmquist said.
Birders all across the country are welcoming newcomers to join them in the field.
No skills are required, and seasoned veterans are more than happy to aid new birders.
"Get outside and get in the field, that’s the best way to get better at birding. But also get out with other people," Malmquist said."You won’t find a more welcoming group of people than birders. It really is a social, a good reason to get together."