World Migratory Bird Day- Protect Birds and Be the Solution

Initiated in 2006, World Migratory Bird Day is a yearly awareness-increasing campaign to show the necessity for the protection of migratory birds and their environments. The ultimate goal of this day is to reach out to a broader audience and expand its message for bird conservation.

The day boosts global awareness about the problems suffered by migratory birds, their ecological significance, and the call for international cooperation to conserve them.

Background

As mentioned earlier, the first World Migratory Bird Day was observed in 2006. It is organized by the Convention on Migratory Species, the African-Eurasian Water bird Agreement including Environment for the Americas.

This day, these organizations plan events to support in turning the world's attention to the wonders of bird migration and the demand for their protection.

And, WMBD has brought significant results. Each year, the total number of registered World Migratory Bird Day events has steadily grown, also the number of countries has increased in which these events happened.

In the year 2018, a important change was brought in the history of WMBD. It unified the major migratory bird corridors of birds- the African-Eurasian flyway, the East Asian-Australasian flyway, and the Americas flyways. And, from 2018, the day is celebrated twice a year, on the Second Saturday in May and in October.

World Migratory Bird Day 2019 Theme

Every year, a theme is selected and the day is observed focusing on that particular theme.

"Unifying our Voices for Bird Conservation"- it was the theme of WMBD in 2018. And, according to the theme, WMBD encouraged people to celebrate the day to communicate and learn from each other, across borders, within and between the world's flyways.

In 2019, the theme is "Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!". The day will be celebrated by explaining the negative impact of plastic pollution on migratory birds and their habitats.

Today, plastic is one of the most widely used materials in the world. Its annual production is more than 300m tons. The major difficulty with plastic is that is used for a moment while its lifecycle is 20 to 500 years.

Generally, people find it easier and convenient to use plastic because it is lightweight and designed to last. But it is quickly transported into ecosystems by the forces of nature and cause serious threats to migratory species on the global level.

Sadly, birds cannot escape the threat of plastic. And, birds with stomachs full of plastic entangled and smothered by plastic rings and nets are major threats of the toll that plastic takes on wildlife.

How to Celebrate

Each year, people and dedicated organizations observe this day twice in a year. They take action and organize public events like bird festivals, education programs, exhibitions, and bird-watching and make people aware of these birds and their problems.

Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

 Let's mark the breathtaking journeys of birds and their precious role in the world's cultures, societies, and ecosystems.