Development and psychometric validation of a brief scale to measure environmental perception based on the 2-major environmental values model in adolescents and adults.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide ecological crisis, including global climate change, is leading to increased awareness and attitudes towards environmental problems. To address these problems, studies of human attitudes are needed. This study is based on the 2-Major Environmental Values (2-MEV) model, which measures two components of environmental attitudes: Preservation and Utilization. The model has been applied to both, adolescents and adults. After decades of use, it is necessary to review the psychometric scale and update the wording. Developing short or even super-short scales to measure well-established constructs is necessary due to time constraints, compliance or fatigue due to language issues. METHODS: We applied an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to a dataset containing 20 items from the 2-MEV model to reduce the scale to 6 items, 3 per dimension using parallel analysis, scree plot examination and eigen-value greater than 0 as criteria. The scale was then applied to adults and the sample was split for EFA and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was then used to assess invariance across age and gender. Finally, regression and linear models were used to examine the effects of age and gender in both, adults and adolescents. RESULTS: The 2-MEV model was replicated in the EFA and CFA and the correlated two-factor model showed the best fit. The scale showed configural and metric invariance across age and gender, and scale invariance across gender. Gender and age effects were replicated in relation to previous studies. DISCUSSION: The brief scale showed good model indices and convergent validity. IMPLICATIONS: The brief scale of the 2-MEV model can be applied in situations where environmental attitudes are important, but time constraints (internet surveys), compliance, or language problems may hinder the use of longer scales.

Big five personality and recreation specialization are related to satisfaction with life in birders.

Personality traits and recreation specialization are related to an individual's satisfaction with life. In addition, previous research has identified relationships between personality traits and recreational specialization. However, little is known about the interrelationship of the two variables in relation to life satisfaction. In this study, we addressed these relationships in birdwatchers. 555 birders (Mage = 49.11 years, SDage = 17.14; 380 males, 170 females, 2 diverse, 3 without answer) from German-speaking countries filled out an online survey. The participants rated the BFI-10, a global assessment of life satisfaction, and three dimensions of recreation specialization (skill/knowledge, behavior, commitment). Satisfaction with life was positively correlated with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and negatively with neuroticism. Concerning recreation specialization, positive relationships between satisfaction with life and skill/knowledge as well as behavior were found; especially the dimension of skill/knowledge was positively related to conscientiousness and negatively to neuroticism. Openness was negatively related to the three dimensions of recreation specialization. The mediation analyses showed that skill/knowledge is directly and indirectly related to satisfaction with life. Birding as active outdoor activity has positive relationship with life satisfaction, and this seems to be mainly based on the cognitive component, with a high knowledge related to a higher life satisfaction.

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

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.

Selection of Indicator Bird Species as a Baseline for Knowledge Assessment in Biodiversity Survey Studies.

The loss of Earth's biodiversity is accompanied by a loss of public knowledge about species. Many scientists are convinced that knowledge about species is an important prerequisite to interest and investment in species conservation. In the past, knowledge about species has mostly been assessed using birds, but there is no consensus on which birds could serve as a baseline for knowledge about species in the general public. The aim of this study is to provide a list of the 'golden 50' bird species in Germany that can be used by educational institutions, as well as studies about species knowledge to make them more comparable. The list can also serve as a basis for the selection of so-called flagship species, which are used for the protection of habitats and other species due to their high likeability. To achieve this, three consecutive steps were conducted: an analysis of bird-related databases to determine which species might be common and known and two expert panel studies. The data analysis included several factors: species characteristics, Citizen Science data, public value and importance, and scientific studies. In both the first and second rounds, experts were asked for their opinion on which species should be known by the general public in Germany. The first expert panel, which consisted of only a small group of experts (n = 6), was mainly used to reduce the number of species for the second panel. In the second expert panel, 197 ornithologically qualified experts from all over Germany were asked for their assessment. The correlations between the expert assessments and the different variables were all significant (except for the species trait "colourfulness"), which validates the selection process used here and consequently the species list that has been compiled. The selection process can also be applied to other biogeographical regions or taxa.

Psychological restoration depends on curiosity, motivation, and species richness during a guided bird walk in a suburban blue space.

Urban and suburban green and blue spaces are important places for human recreation, and the impact of biodiversity on psychological and recalled restoration has received much attention. This study addresses the relationship between bird species richness and restoration in a controlled field experiment (guided bird walk) applying a battery of individual trait scales (need for cognition, personality) as predictors of restoration. We found a significant positive relationship between the number of bird species present and recalled restoration. Personality, bird species knowledge, bird related interest as test measures, demographics and birding specialization as self-report had no influence on psychological restoration. However, need for cognition correlated positively with psychological restoration, thus providing a new predictive variable. All subscales of the intrinsic motivation scale (enjoyment, perceived competence, perceived choice, pressure/tension) were positively correlated with restoration except of pressure/tension. Learning emotions like interest and well-being were positively related to restoration, while boredom was negatively related. Therefore, we suggest research to examine the restorative function of more cognitive-oriented programs because people may also need cognition when it comes to restoration. We also suggest a broader focus on education and cognitive aspects when it comes to linking biodiversity and health within the framework of ecosystem services.

Relationship between burnout levels of nurses and their circadian preference, sleep quality, and personality traits.

Occupational stress and burnout are widely encountered among many healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, as well as among members of other professions. For example, nurses, who have disrupted circadian rhythms, are seen to have sleep problems. In addition, their personality traits are also considered to be related with burnout. This study aimed to identify nurses' circadian preference and personality traits along with their effects on sleep quality and their relationship with burnout. In this study, 211 nurses (40 male, 171 female) using the correlational model from quantitative research methods was used since the variables of morningness/eveningness, personality trait, sleep quality, and burnout were aimed to be investigated at once, without intervention, within the predictivity context of the relationship among them. When the scores obtained from the burnout scale were examined, it was observed that the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment subdimensions were so close to the median value and mean, while depersonalization was quite low compared to these sub-dimensions. The participants' sleep quality was seen to be at the lowest step of the poor sleep quality class. When the scores obtained from the MESSI scale are examined, it is seen that the scores obtained from the morning affect dimension are above the median value, and the highest average according to the Five-Factor Personality Traits Scale is obtained in the subdimensions of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Female gender, constantly work at night, having a high number of weekly working hours increased burnout level. Additionally Evening chronotype, poor sleep quality, neuroticism, agreeableness, extroversion and conscientiousness personality traits were found to be associated with burnout in this study. In the study, being of different chronotypes, having other personality traits, and varying sleep quality scores were seen to affect the sub-dimensions of burnout.

Onsite versus home-office: differences in sleep patterns according to workplace.

Background and objective: This study aimed to evaluate the sleep patterns of students and employees working onsite versus those working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic using actigraphy. Methods: A total of 75 students/employees (onsite: N = 40, home-office: N = 35; age range: 19-56 years; 32% male; 42.7% students, 49.3% employees) were studied between December 2020 and January 2022 using actigraphy, a sleep diary, and an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographics and morningness-eveningness. Independent-sample t-tests, paired-sample tests, and a multivariate general linear model adjusting for age (fixed factors: sex and work environment) were applied. Results: Overall, onsite workers had significantly earlier rise times (7:05 [SD: 1:11] versus 7:44 [1:08] hours) and midpoints of sleep (2:57 [0:58] versus 3:33 [0:58] hours) on weekdays compared to home-office workers. Sleep efficiency, sleep duration, variability of sleep timing, and social jetlag did not differ between the groups. Discussion: Home-office workers showed a delay in sleep timing that did not affect any other sleep parameters such as sleep efficiency or nighttime sleep duration. The work environment had only marginal impact on sleep patterns and thus sleep health in this sample. Sleep timing variability did not differ between groups. Supplementary Information: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11818-023-00408-5) contains supplementary material 1 and 2, which is available to authorized users.

Exploring the associations between the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale improved (MESSi) and the higher-order personality factors.

Morningness-eveningness refers to individual differences in the sleep-wake cycle. Research indicates that morningness-eveningness is associated with the Big Five (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and the Big Two (alpha-stability, beta-plasticity) personality factors. However, the latter has not yet been tested within the multidimensional approach to morningness-eveningness. In the present study, we have adapted the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale improved (MESSi) to Polish (https://osf.io/rcxb5) to explore the associations between its subscales (morning affect, eveningness, distinctness) and the Big Two personality traits in a sample of 1106 participants (559 women and 547 men) aged 18 to 55 (M = 36.26, SD = 9.90). In bivariate correlations, morning affect was positively related to alpha-stability and beta-plasticity, distinctness was correlated negatively with alpha-stability and beta-plasticity, while eveningness was positively correlated only with beta-plasticity. Furthermore, the confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor structure of the Polish version of MESSi, while the associations with affect and the symptoms of depression and anxiety attested to its validity. Overall, the present study provides the first evidence for the associations between MESSi subscales and the Big Two personality traits, as well as shows a good fit of the three-factor structure of MESSi in the Polish population.

Chronotype and sensory-processing sensitivity: A cross-sectional survey.

Here we examined the possibility of a relationship of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) with chronotype in a German-speaking sample of N = 1807 (1008 female, 799 male) with a mean age of 47.75 ± 14.41 y (range: 18-97 y). The data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire (Chronotype: one item of the Morning-Evening-Questionnaire, as well as typical bedtimes on weekdays and weekends; SPS: German version of the three-factor model ; Big Five: NEO-FFI-30) between 21 and 27 April 2021. Results. We found morningness to correlate with the SPS facet low sensory threshold (LST), while eveningness correlated to aesthetic sensitivity (AES) and marginally significant to ease of excitation (EOE). Discussion: The results show that the correlations between chronotype and the Big Five personality traits are not consistent with the direction of the correlations between chronotype and the SPS facets. The reason for this could be different genes that are responsible for the individual traits influence each other differently depending on their expression.

Using Species Knowledge to Promote Pro-Environmental Attitudes? The Association among Species Knowledge, Environmental System Knowledge and Attitude towards the Environment in Secondary School Students.

Scientists and conservationists suggest species knowledge as a possible starting point when it comes to creating deeper knowledge and awareness of nature, the environment, and biodiversity. The aim of this work was to analyze secondary school students' species knowledge of vertebrates and invertebrates. This is one of the first studies that also draws on invertebrates. Furthermore, we investigated whether knowledge of species forms a basis for the formation of environmental knowledge and attitude towards the environment. For this purpose, a questionnaire on species knowledge was developed. In addition, a questionnaire was used to measure environmental system knowledge, and the 2-MEV Attitude Scale to measure attitude towards the environment. The questionnaires were completed by 103 seventh and eighth-grade (age: 12-13) students of a secondary German school (Gymnasium, highest stratification level). The students identified more vertebrates than invertebrates (50.15% vs. 36.7%). The structural equation model with the latent variables species knowledge, environmental system knowledge, and attitude towards the environment showed that species knowledge has a highly significant influence on the two other latent variables. More precisely species knowledge explained 28% of the variance in environmental systems knowledge and 17% of the variance in attitude towards the environment. This study can therefore draw attention to the relevance of teaching species knowledge in the sense of Education for Sustainable Development, in order not to promote decreasing biodiversity through dwindling species knowledge.

Are Lay People Able to Estimate Breeding Bird Diversity?

Studies about biodiversity and well-being used different approaches to assess biodiversity, e.g., scientific counts and censuses or perceived biodiversity estimated by the respondents. Here, we assessed whether laypeople could estimate the breeding bird diversity or species richness at specific places. For comparison, we carried out bird censuses with standard methods of professional ornithologists and used citizen science data from the internet platform Ornitho (Germany). Lay people from the public (1184 respondents) were surveyed between May and July 2022 at 40 different places in southwest Germany between Rottenburg/Tübingen and Stuttgart following the catchment of the river Neckar (30 people surveyed per place). People were asked to estimate the bird species richness/diversity at this current place. Here, we show that the data from the citizen science platform does not correlate with the professional census counts nor with the perceived species richness of laypeople. Laypeople have a generally good assessment of the bird species richness, correlating with the data of professionals (r = 0.325, p = 0.041). On average, the number of species assessed by laypeople lies in between the values of the professional morning and afternoon census. People were most often surveyed in the afternoon; therefore, their assessment must be done on other factors than actual birds present. This result is valuable for future studies on the connection between biodiversity and well-being.

Motivations and Specialization of Birders Are Differently Related to Engagement in Citizen Science Projects of Different Complexity.

Citizen Science (CS) projects are an important aspect of scientific data collection and biodiversity conservation. In ornithology, various CS projects exist, and even laypersons can contribute, but advanced birdwatchers also spend considerable time and effort in data collection. Here, different CS projects for birders were analyzed and compared with respect to recreation specialization and motivations for birdwatching. Established, psychometrically valid, and reliable scales were applied in this study. N = 2856 respondents from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland were grouped into no, low, and sustained engagement clusters. Sustained engagement was related to more complex programs, such as the breeding bird census and waterfowl counting. When comparing the engagement clusters, effect sizes were considerable, ranging from 0.098 (attraction) to 0.306 (skill/knowledge). Thus, birders of the three engagement clusters differed significantly in birding specialization, especially skill/knowledge, psychological commitment, social motivations, and the psychological construct centrality to lifestyle. No differences were found in enjoyment and achievement motivations. In conclusion, low-threshold projects are needed to attract participants, but keeping people within programs or moving them to a higher level of engagement might be easier when social dimensions are addressed.

Impact of pandemic lockdown on learning behaviour and sleep quality in German students: Results of an online survey before and during the pandemic.

Background: This study addresses the effects of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) restriction measures on sleep and bedtime habits of N = 637 German university students. Methods: The questionnaire was distributed online during two different time periods in 2020 (February 27-March 21) and in 2021 (February 27-March 27). The first data collection phase was immediately before the first strict lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, and the second data collection phase was during the second lockdown. The survey was composed of validated questionnaires and additional questions regarding the changes in sleep/bedtimes and the status of lectures during the lockdown phase. Results: The average Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) score in the sample decreased during the lockdown phase, corresponding to the fact that students were less burdened with daytime sleepiness. Moreover, the sample had earlier rise and earlier bedtimes on free days during the lockdown period. Furthermore, the increase in flexible learning times brought about by the pandemic negatively impacted the students' lifestyle and increased irregularities in sleeping habits. Conclusion: Significant changes in sleeping patterns seem to be attributable to the pandemic lockdown as found in this self-reported student survey. While daytime sleepiness decreased and earlier overall bedtimes were noted, the impact on the irregularity of sleeping and learning patterns seems to be the most notable finding, as this affects overall quality of life and learning performance. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Validity of chronotype questionnaires in adolescents: Correlations with actigraphy.

There are only a few validated chronotype and morningness-eveningness questionnaires for adolescents. We evaluated three such questionnaires, namely Morningness-Eveningness Stability Scale improved; reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents; and Composite Scale of Morningness in adolescents against actigraphy. Fifty-five healthy 13- to 16-year-old adolescents completed the Morningness-Eveningness Stability Scale improved, reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, Composite Scale of Morningness, and Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and provided a 7-day actigraphy and sleep diary recording about their sleep-wake patterns. We examined the correlations between sleep-wake and activity parameters, and the questionnaires. The influence of age and sex on chronotype classification was studied using uni- and multivariate analyses. All three chronotype questionnaires showed good internal consistency and convergent validity. Spearman correlations reflected less daytime sleepiness, earlier sleep times, midpoints of sleep, and acrophase in morning-oriented participants. Evening-oriented participants had more sleepiness and later respective sleep-wake times. Chronotype classification differed significantly between questionnaires. The Composite Scale of Morningness classified more participants as morning types when compared with the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (12 versus 7, respectively), and fewer adolescents as evening types (5 versus 9, respectively). Age and sex had no significant influence on questionnaire scores. The Morningness-Eveningness Stability Scale improved, reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, and Composite Scale of Morningness are valid instruments to determine circadian preference in adolescents; however, chronotype classification from the Composite Scale of Morningness and reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents cannot be used interchangeably.

Sentiment Analysis of Comments of American Birders during Two Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic Reveal More Negative Sentiments in the Context of Birding.

Human-nature relationships are an important aspect of leisure research. Previous studies also reported that nature-related activities have a health benefit. In this study, we surveyed US-American birdwatchers at two time points during the COVID pandemic (independent samples). During the beginning of the COVID pandemic in spring 2020, we analyzed their comments with an AI sentiment analysis. Approximately one year later (winter 2020/21), during the second wave, the study was repeated, and a second data set was analyzed. Here we show that during the ongoing pandemic, the sentiments became more negative. This is an important result because it shows that despite the positive impact of nature on mental health, the sentiments become more negative in the enduring pandemic.

Animal Welfare Attitudes: Effects of Gender and Diet in University Samples from 22 Countries.

Animal Welfare Attitudes (AWA) are defined as human attitudes towards the welfare of animals in different dimensions and settings. Demographic factors, such as age and gender are associated with AWA. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among university students in a large convenience sample from twenty-two nations in AWA. A total of 7914 people participated in the study (5155 women, 2711 men, 48 diverse). Participants completed a questionnaire that collected demographic data, typical diet and responses to the Composite Respect for Animals Scale Short version (CRAS-S). In addition, we used a measure of gender empowerment from the Human Development Report. The largest variance in AWA was explained by diet, followed by country and gender. In terms of diet, 6385 participants reported to be omnivores, 296 as pescatarian, 637 ate a vegetarian diet and 434 were vegans (n = 162 without answer). Diet was related with CRAS-S scores; people with a vegan diet scored higher in AWA than omnivores. Women scored significantly higher on AWA than men. Furthermore, gender differences in AWA increased as gender inequality decreased.

Determinants of Bird Species Literacy-Activity/Interest and Specialization Are More Important Than Socio-Demographic Variables.

Biodiversity is declining, and knowledge about biodiversity declines in a similar way. Previous studies have already addressed predictors of species knowledge. Here, we studied bird species knowledge related to demographics, but also to individual differences in affinity to nature, by including (i) birding specialization and (ii) bird-related activities/interest. Data were collected from July to October 2020 via an online questionnaire, containing demographic data, birding specialization, interest/activity, and images of 28 bird species native to Germany. Participants were adult students, lecturers and administrative staff of the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen. A total of 1967 questionnaires were returned in this study (35.3% male, 53.8% students, 69% had access to a garden). Mean identification score was 16.31 ± 6.38. Thus, participants were able to identify more than half of the species (total species n = 28). Men identified more species than women, garden owners had higher identification scores than non-owners, while hometown size was not significant. A distance to the next forest patch >10 km was related to lower identification scores. Employees scored higher than students. Correlation between species knowledge and birding specialization was high, as was the correlation with bird interest/activity. Higher scores were found in older people. In the linear univariate model, birding specialization and bird interest were the most influential predictors of species knowledge, followed by distance to next forest patch and occupation (student vs employees). Other variables were not significant. We suggest including such measures (interest, attitude, etc.) into further studies and move forward from the urban-rural narrative to more complex analyses of living circumstances.

Psychometric Properties of the Turkish version of the Morningness - Eveningness Stability Scale improved (MESSi) in Adolescents.

Morningness-Eveningness Stability Scale improved (MESSi) is an assessment tool that evaluates distinctness of daily changes as well as the person's propensity for morningness and eveningness. The aim of this study is to evaluate psychometric properties of the Turkish version of MESSi and associations of chronotypes and diurnal variations with personality, affect, sleep quality as well as validity of the scale in Turkish adolescents. The sample of this study consisted of 445 students between ages of 10-19. Participants filled in MESSi, Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children, Composite Scale of Morningness, Personality Traits Scale (BIG-5), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Reliability analysis of the scale showed quite reliable internal consistency values. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test construct validity of three-factor model of MESSi. An acceptable model fit was demonstrated in CFA. There was a moderate and significant relationship between MA and DI subscale scores of MESSi. A moderate but negative correlation was found between MA and EV subscale scores of MESSi. MA and DI subscale scores of MESSi were found to be weakly correlated with conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness to experience and subscale scores of BIG-5, respectively. There was a positive correlation of positive affect subscale scores of PANAS with MA and DI subscale scores of MESSi. MA subscale scores of MESSi were found to be negatively correlated with scores of subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, disturbances, habitual sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, and global scores of PSQI. This study shows that Turkish version of MESSi is valid and reliable for use in adolescents. Three-factor MESSi provides an advantage over other chronotype scales in adolescence since it includes DI subscale as well as MA and EV subscales. Psychometric results were supported by other chronotype scales and clinical features such as sleep, affect, and personality.

Social Jetlag and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness from a Sample of Russian Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE: Insufficient nocturnal sleep is a primary source of excessive daytime sleepiness. Most previous research has focused on the disparity between sleep demands and study start times in adolescents. Fewer studies have focused on elementary schoolchildren. We hypothesize that late sleep timing is connected to excessive daytime sleepiness in a sample of Russian children and adolescents. The major goals of our study were to evaluate excessive daytime sleepiness in Russian schoolchildren and adolescents using the Russian version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and to estimate its relationship with sleep-wake parameters using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Student subjects were from public educational facilities in the Republic of Karelia. They completed both the PDSS and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire to estimate sleep parameters and chronotype (MSFsc). Five hundred and eleven students provided data for the PDSS and sleep-wake variables, and 479 for the full MCTQ data. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) in our sample was 18%. The total PDSS score was inversely correlated with sleep length on school nights and was independent of respondents' sex. Higher PDSS scores were associated with later bedtimes on school days and free days, and shorter sleep duration on school days. Late chronotype and more pronounced social jetlag were both positively correlated with high PDSS scores. A negative correlation was found between chronotype and the duration of the sleep period on weekdays (p < 0.001) and a positive correlation was found on weekends (p < 0.001). Longer average sleep duration was positively related to less daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that excessive daytime sleepiness is chronotype-dependent. School start times could be shifted to a later hour to prolong sleep and reduce EDS.

Negative social jetlag - Special consideration of leisure activities and evidence from birdwatchers.

Birdwatching (birding) is a nature-based recreational activity, often including arising early in the morning. In the present study, we tested the effect of a negative social jetlag (SJL) in birders. Negative SJL implies that people have an even earlier sleep-wake rhythm on free days or weekends. As birds' activities start before or shortly after sunrise, especially during spring and early summer, birdwatchers follow this diurnal pattern. Further, birders are not homogeneous and vary greatly in recreational specialisation. The study was based on an online survey with 2,404 birdwatchers (55% male) who responded to questions about their sleep-wake times and about their birding activities. Birders show the same differences between weekdays and weekends/free days sleep like most other people. However, birdwatching days started earlier than weekdays (14 min) and lasted longer. Thus, birdwatching days are shifted towards an earlier sleep-wake rhythm in total. Birdwatchers experience a sleep curtailment during birding. Instead of sleeping ~30 min longer on weekends, they arise ~15 min earlier, summing up to a sleep reduction of about ~45 min compared to a regular weekend. The more psychologically committed birders are, the less they sleep, the earlier they arise, and the earlier is their midpoint of sleep on birdwatching days; meaning that highly specialised birders shift their sleep-wake rhythm to an earlier time compared to their regular weekend, and even their weekday sleep. Thus, birders may suffer more from the short- and long-term consequences of negative SJL. The results might stand representatively for other nature-related leisure activities.