World Migratory Bird Day 2020

World Migratory Bird Day 2020

On Saturday, 9 May 2020, people around the world will celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) – a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. 

This year, the theme of World Migratory Bird Day is “Birds Connect Our World” and was chosen to highlight the importance of conserving and restoring the ecological connectivity and integrity of ecosystems that support the natural cycles that are essential for the survival and well-being of migratory birds.  The theme also underlines the fact that migratory birds are part of our shared natural heritage and they depend on a network of sites along their migration routes for breeding, feeding, resting and overwintering.

“World Migratory Bird Day reminds us that now, more than ever, we need to step up our actions to protect migratory birds and their habitats. Many bird species are in decline around the world, and the continued loss and destruction of nature has also been linked to the kinds of infectious diseases we are now combatting,” said Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), “We can use this time to reflect and re-connect with nature and commit to helping migratory birds wherever they are found.”

“Nature is carrying on as usual, the cycles and rhythms of nature, including those of migratory birds, continue on their normal course,” highlighted Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), “Not only are they connecting us to other people, but they are also reminding us that this crisis also provides an opportunity - an opportunity for humankind to revisit our relationship with nature and to rebuild a more environmentally responsible world.”

Last year, over 870 events were registered, including many gatherings of school groups and other public events which took place in city parks, wetlands and other places around the world often frequented by migratory birds. In comparison to past years, the global celebration will look very different this year because of the unprecedented global health crisis the world is facing from COVID-19. Read here how you can still participate in the celebrations of World Migratory Bird Day 2020.

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