Spatial, temporal, and motivational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a nature-based leisure activity - A global survey of birders

• Published in: iScience Vol. 26; no. 8; p. 107483
• Main Authors: Randler, Christoph, Jokimäki, Jukka, de Salvo, Maria, de Almeida Barbosa, Renan, Staller, Naomi, Tryjanowski, Piotr, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki, Marja-Liisa, Tsai, Jo-Szu, Ortiz-Pulido, Raúl, Rahafar, Arash, Giuffrida, Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 18.08.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Physical activity; Social sciences; Physical activity; Social sciences
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107483

Birdwatchers contribute an immense amount of data to citizen science databases. Thus, birding is important from the leisure perspective and from nature conservation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we studied birdwatchers on a global scale in over 50 countries by applying the model of behavior change, which focuses on changes in opportunity (spatial, temporal), motivation, and capability (avoidance behavior). The sample consisted of 5051 participants (3437 men, 1575 women, mean age 49 years). Birders changed their spatial behavior to more local birding and to avoidance behavior by choosing different places and different clock times. Concerning motivation, being outdoors showed the highest increase and being with friends the strongest decrease. Higher specialized birders experienced a stronger shift toward regional birding. Birders that focused on new, local, or unrewarding places experienced an increase in motivation. Our study empirically supports the behavior change model and highlights the need to address the heterogeneity of the recreationists. [Display omitted] •We studied 5051 birdwatchers in over 50 countries during the pandemic•We applied the model of behavioral change on outdoor recreation•Behavior changed to more local places, more time available, and to avoidance of places•Birders that focused on new or local places experienced an increase in motivations Physical activity; Social sciences