Birds are valuable: the case of vagrants. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Callaghan, Corey T.; Benson, Ian; Major, Richard E.; Martin, John M.; Longden, Thomas; Kingsford, Richard T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of ecotourism. Volume 19:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Ecosystem value -- birdwatching -- vagrant birds -- ecological economics; Ecotourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2019.1614010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-4049

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity values need to be appropriately quantified and thence incorporated in future land development decisions. We assessed the economic and conservation-fundraising potential of vagrant Aleutian Terns in New South Wales, Australia. We found that an estimated 375–581 birdwatchers travelled far (580 ± 522 km [mean ± SD]) and reacted quickly (22% of visits were within the first week and 47% within the first two weeks) to see Aleutian Terns in an area where they had never been seen. We estimated that the total expenditure of these birdwatchers ranged from ∼ $199, 000–$363, 000 AUD and we further estimated that birdwatchers would have been cumulatively willing to donate upwards of $30, 000 AUD to a non-governmental conservation organisation in order to have viewed the terns. These results suggest that birdwatchers highly value vagrant birdwatching and conservation campaign potential should be explored in future long-staying vagrant bird occurrences.