I easily spend $20 a month on seed and suet, maybe another $5 month (average) on sugar for the hummers; I belong to Seattle Audubon ($18), and WA Audubon ($20); subscribe to Birder ($18?), participate in Cornell's Bird Watch yearly ($15), and I haven't even left the yard yet ($371). I do a minimum of five day trips a year, so figure gas $50 each trip ($250.00), hot drinks,lunch and/or snacks $15 ea trip--[I pack lunch usually] ($65). I usually do a weekend trip that involves birding part of the time ($120 lodging), plus lunch, dinner, breakfast ($80+), plus gas while in the area (another $75).[I try to take 4-6 days vacation where I can bird--so I spend even more when I have the money.]
I try to upgrade my birding equipment each year--right now I'm saving for a scope, but I have three pairs of binoculars (different powers, different ages), six bird feeders, three suet feeders, and several bird houses (I just bought a replacement one after Christmas)($20). I bought three new birding books this year ($60) My friends give me bird-related presents on my birthday and for Christmas--who knows what they spend?
A conservative estimate of my yearly expenditure=$1021. [and I don't think I'm a big spender when it comes to birding.] And it's worth every penny. When I can afford to, I spend more.

Bird seed is bought by lots of people who only watch birds in their yards; lots of bird books are bought by those who are armchair birders, and enthusiastic birders are always looking for the best new book that will help them become more expert birders. Lots of people stay over-night somewhere while birding, and food and gas add up fast. If it's colder/wetter than expected, warm clothing might be bought, or other incidentals. So there is lots of trickle down economic spending by birders.
Now if we could just get governing entities aware of this potential bounty... Income can be had by preserving wildlife areas and advertising (more birding $), in birding magazines, etc. Then, maybe there will be a chance that enough habitat will remain for the birds.

Christine Southwick
N Seattle / Shoreline, WA

mailto:clsouth at u.washington.edu