They come from around the world and all over the region, armed with cameras, flash cards and extra batteries. They book hotel rooms, eat out and purchase more equipment while they are here. The come not to visit The Mouse or to watch a professional football game. They come for the birds. Others drive from homes around the Tampa Bay region to the nearest specialty shop to purchase high-end bird feeders, water features and seeds meant to attract particular birds to their backyard viewing venues. Birding, according to a recent study released by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, added $82 billion to the nation's economy in 2006, alone, with some 17 percent of Floridians participating in the pastime. Read more from Yvette C. Hammett's piece.