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Observations made by citizen-scientists are highly regarded in many fields of biology. Public participation in research leads to increased environmental stewardship, greater data-acquisition, and multi-disciplinary advances. However, to date, there is a paucity of literature that acknowledges the professional benefits we, as scientists, gain through open consultation and two-way collaboration with interested parties. Citizen scientists often have specialised interests in particular taxa or habitats. They spend much time observing their subjects/s of interest, becoming accustomed to subtle nuances in appearance, behaviour, or dynamics that are challenging to detect without a high level of familiarity. In a world where professional researchers must increasingly balance competing demands on their time, and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of their research, we stand to benefit by acknowledging the specific expertise of …