I love birdwatching. And it seems like that love is shared with an increasing amount of people. Birdwatching has actually become the the fastest growing hobby in the United States. In 2011 there were just over 45 thousand birdwatchers in the country. That number is absolutely dwarfed by the 2020 statistics, which reveal that there were 15.23 million birders making themselves known. A staggering increase.
It's understandable that the pastime would see a resurgence. During the darkest days of the pandemic, people were eager to find new ways to pass the time - outside. Birdwatching allows for social distancing, and it's also a relaxing and quietly exciting activity that allows one to be completely present and appreciate the world and creatures around us. The new interest in ornithology has led to a wealth of memes on Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram. As a fan of both birding and memes, you know I derive great pleasure from scrolling through birdwatching memes. And now (every week), I can share them with you.