Group 1 - The third National Birdwatching Challenge in Mingxi, Fujian, took place from the 20th to the 22nd, attracting 29 teams and nearly 100 participants from across the country [1] - A total of 165 bird species were recorded during the competition, with the champion team documenting 110 species, including new records of the spoon-billed sandpiper and the black-faced bunting [1] - Mingxi is recognized for its rich ecological environment and abundant bird resources, earning titles such as "Hometown of the Chinese Yellow-bellied Pheasant" and "Small City of Migratory Birds in China" [1] Group 2 - The local government has been enhancing birdwatching facilities and integrating tourism, research, and health industries to upgrade the birdwatching sector [1] - There are currently 349 species of wild birds recorded in Mingxi, including 77 species that are under national first and second-level protection, with 8 being first-level and 69 second-level [1]

Core Viewpoint - The activity of birdwatching is rapidly gaining popularity among young people, becoming a new trend akin to "celebrity chasing" in social media, with a significant increase in participation and engagement in this nature-related hobby [1][3][10]. Group 1: Popularity and Engagement - The topic of "birdwatching" has garnered over 700 million views on Douyin and over 440 million views on Xiaohongshu, with discussions exceeding 3.96 million [3]. - The search volume for "birdwatching" on Xiaohongshu increased by 1900% year-on-year, and the number of related posts in the past year is 1.2 times that of the previous decade [3]. - The demographic of birdwatching content creators has shifted, with users around 25 years old now being the primary contributors, compared to the previous majority of users around 35 years old [3][10]. Group 2: Social and Personal Benefits - Birdwatching provides a low-barrier, high-interest activity that allows young people to connect with nature and find inner peace [8][10]. - The social aspect of birdwatching is significant, as it serves as a medium for young people to expand their social circles and share experiences through social media [10][11]. - Young birdwatchers are increasingly sharing their experiences online, fostering a community of like-minded individuals and enhancing social interactions [11][15]. Group 3: Economic and Cultural Impact - The growing interest in birdwatching is expected to stimulate new economic growth in related sectors, including tourism, hospitality, and local businesses catering to birdwatchers [16][17]. - Birdwatching activities are contributing to the development of diverse cultural content, such as online birdwatching records and themed artistic creations, enriching the cultural landscape [15][17]. - Events like the Poyang Lake International Birdwatching Season have successfully attracted millions of visitors, generating significant tourism revenue and enhancing local ecological tourism brands [17][19].