Wichita ? Millions of birds flock to Kansas during spring migration. Now, tourism officials are hoping a growing number of birders will follow.

Last month, the state Travel and Tourism division sent an e-mail to 7,000 people who have an interest in bird-watching.

“Now is the perfect time to start making your travel plans for a spring birding adventure in Kansas,” it read.

Tourism officials hope money from birders will supplement the millions hunting and fishing bring to the state annually.

The division has no specific data on birders, but a state study done in 2001 estimated animal watchers, including birders, brought in $129 million to the Kansas economy, said Richard Smalley, marketing manager for the Travel and Tourism division.

“We realize this is a big market and with all the migratory birds that go through Kansas, we thought we’d take advantage of that in drawing people in,” he said.

“The demographic profile of birders fits exactly the type of people we know we are interested in coming to Kansas,” Smalley said. “We know they are a little older. They are upper-middle-aged boomers who are well educated and have above-average income.”

Birders also may have other interests, such as photography, hiking, camping or shopping for antiques.

Because of the Central Flyway migratory route, Kansas can boast sightings of 470 species of birds within its borders, more than surrounding states.

During spring migration from March through May, native Kansas birds mingle with millions of migratory birds on their journey north.

That’s the breeding season, when each tree offers a concerto of life from songbirds and open fields teem with turkey, pheasant and quail.

The birds are drawing people, who spend money in rural areas buying gas, food and lodging.

“Until now, we haven’t really gone for the birding market,” said Cris Collier, director of the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Now, she is touting nearby Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, coupled with the new National Kansas Wetland & Wildlife Scenic Byway, a 76-mile road.

In its e-mail, the state tourism department cited the wetlands, along with the Cimarron National Grasslands outside Elkhart, the birding festival in Wakefield, near the Milford Lake area, and the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge as key birding destinations.