Birding & Gardening:

paradise in the making

John C. Robinson, Scotts Ornithologist
Birds and Birders are Everywhere
 Topics

• How is birding defined?  
• How many birders are there in the US?
• What is the birder profile?
• How are birding & gardening linked?
• How can your garden be a paradise for birds…and 
for you?
• What is Scotts doing to help create this paradise?
 What is a Birder?

• Government agencies have conducted surveys 
to estimate the size of the birder population, 
using different definitions/questions:  

– During the past 12 months, did you view, identify, or 
photograph birds outdoors? (NSRE, 2008)
– Did you take a “special interest” in wildlife around your home, 
or take a trip for the “primary purpose” of wildlife watching? 
(USFWS, 2006)

Sources: Birding In The United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2006; American Birders, Part 1: Their Numbers and Outdoor Activity Profiles;
Internet Research Information series, National Survey on Recreation and the Environment, U.S. Forest Service & other government agencies
 How Many Birders?

• Age 16+: 21%; 48 million

people (USFWS)

• Age 16+: 35.4%; 81.8

million people (NSRE)

• Whatever it is – it’s a LOT!

Sources: Birding In The United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2006; American Birders, Part 1: Their Numbers and Outdoor Activity Profiles;
Internet Research Information series, National Survey on Recreation and the Environment, U.S. Forest Service & other government agencies
 Birder Demographic Profile

• The government studies suggest that birders
– Are somewhat more likely to be female
– Tend to be middle‐aged or older
– Average age 50 (USFWS)
– Skew toward Northeast & Midwest regions (NSRE)

Region Percentage
Northeast 38.3
Midwest 37.6
South 34.4
West 33.0
 Passion for Birds
and “Viewing” Levels Vary
Birding Segments Based  Share Of Days Watch/View 
On Number Of Days  By Segment
Watch/View
1% 8%

33% 34% Occasionals (1 Occasionals (1

to 6 days) to 6 days)
Actives (7-60 Actives (7-60
days) days)
Enthusisats Enthusisats
(61-365 days) (61-365 days)

33% 91%

Sources: NSRE
 Birders Love  Nature…
and Enjoy Gardening!
Occasional Birders Active Birders Enthusiast Birders

Definition Go Birding 1 to 6 days  Go Birding 7 to 60 days  Go Birding 61 to 365 days 

annually annually annually

% Of Total Annual  1.1% 7.9% 91.0%

Birding Days
% Who Garden: 78.1% 85.3% 85.1%

% Who Walk: 91.2% 92.3% 90.6%

% Who View Natural  83.0% 87.0% 84.4%

Scenery
% Who View Other  69.8% 79.5% 78.7%
Wildlife
Source: NSRE 2004‐2007
Wild Bird Food Users Enjoy Gardening

74% of Wild Bird Food Users Participated in Gardening in the Past 12 Months 
versus 40% of Non‐Birders
Wild Bird Food Users Non‐Birders

Favorite Activities/ Hobbies  Favorite Activities/ Hobbies 
(Rated in the top 3) (Rated in the top 3)

Gardening                     53%
Surfing Internet            37%
Reading                           34%
Traveling in the US     33%
Hiking / Camping         30%
Playing Sports                 55%
Craft Projects                  44%
Exercise/Fitness              42%
Gardening                        39%
Traveling in the US        39%

Which are your top 3 favorite activities or hobbies? Source: Scotts Proprietary Research, 2008
How Are Birding & Gardening Linked?

• Birding and Gardening bring  nature & the joy of life closer
• Enhancing the garden experience
– Colorful flowers are natural bird attractants
– Color & Beauty
– Decor
– Nature
• People both garden & bird watch
– Relaxation
– Enjoyment
– Escape
– Create a “vacation destination” at home
 Some Wild Bird Food Users Grow 
Plants To Attract Birds
Nearly 40% of wild bird food users do something else to attract wild birds in 
addition to feeding
Things Done To Attract Wild Birds*
Grow Plants That Provide
Fruit, Seeds Or Nuts For 67
Wild Birds

Provide Bird Baths 65

Landscape To Provide
60
Shelter

Provide Bird Houses 57

Grow Any Other Types Of

51
Plants That Attract Birds

Other 6
•Source: Scotts Proprietary research, 2008

Source: BASES Study, 2008

What Can Gardeners Do To Attract 
Birds?
• Create habitats and cover

• Provide water and 
hydration

• Ensure food or source of 
nourishment 
 Create Cover Habitats
• Objective: meet foraging, reproductive, 
and survival needs of birds 
– Attracts more birds by providing shelter, food, 
habitat, hydration
– Makes home birding environment more enjoyable 
for birders
– Sources for nesting and natural foods                      
(e.g., fruit)
• 15‐20 feet from bird feeders
• Bird‐friendly plantings, flowers, trees, shrubs, 
• Examples: oak, hawthorn, nut trees, holly, cedar, 
dogwood, cherry, berry shrubs, red tubular flowers 
(columbine or trumpet vine)
 Water

• Objective: provides a 
source of water for 
drinking or bathing 
purposes 
– Examples: bird baths, 
water drip system, 
waterfall or fountain in 
pond
– Keep water circulating 
with a pump or refresh 
on a weekly basis
 Food
• Objective: provide a source of food year‐round for 
the birds in your yard 
– Bird Feeding – wildly popular
– Year‐round opportunity
• Seasonal needs
– Options for different species and/or season
• Traditional bird seed
• Suets
• Pressed seed and snacks
– Look for field‐tested, scientifically formulated products that 
contain only high‐quality ingredients:
• Scotts® Songbird Selections®
– Bird Smart ™ blends
– All Purpose Blends
Profiles of gardeners: who are they?

• Thomas J. Cleaver, Jr.
– Master naturalist, avid 
gardener, and bird watcher
– Helped inner city youngsters 
to appreciate nature and 
sports
– Died on 9/15/2004 at age 57
– “No man never stands so tall as 
when he stoops to help a child.”
Profiles of gardeners: who are they?
• Marloe Woollett
– Professional gardener, bird 
enthusiast
– “Your garden becomes twice as 
alive and many times more a 
joy & delight”
– “Birds are your singing, flying 
flowers – as much a natural 
part of your garden as your 
plants!”
 The Scotts Solution

• Birds are all around us 
– Universally, one of the most visible of all creatures
– There are over 9000 different species of birds in the world today

• Birding and gardening complement one another

• Natural extension of the lawn and garden experience so 
familiar to each of us
 Our Data is Supported by Extensive Field Studies and 
an Industry‐leading Scientific Approach

• Five geographic testing locations spanning 
more than 15,000 acres across the US
• At least four Stations in each geographic 
location
• Data Assimilated in 2007 to 2008: 
– 45,900 Individual Birds Tallied
– All results statistically analyzed …
• Fifteen partnerships with outside consultants, 
technical advisors, and trade organizations
The Magic of Birding
Creating a Memorable Experience

Scotts® Songbird Selections®

 Background on Scotts Ornithologist

John Robinson, Chief Ornithologist, The Scotts Company
• Over 30 years in wildlife biology
• BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Iowa State University
• Served with U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service
• Professional affiliations with Audubon Society, American Ornithologists’
Union, American Birding Association, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, 
Tennessee Ornithological Society 
• Conducts birding and natural history tours, authored six books, service on 
wildlife organization boards, participated in environmental initiatives and 
worked at wildlife refuges across the country. 
To arrange an interview with John Robinson,  detail on his 
presentation, or for more information on Scotts Wild Bird 
Food, contact:

Keri Butler
keri.butler@scotts.com
937.644.7410

http://www.scotts.com/smg/brand/birdfood/birdfoodLanding.jsp?camp
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