World Migratory Bird Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. (Representational Image: Shutterstock)
This year’s World Migratory Bird Day campaign will have a new focus on water and its importance for migratory birds
World Migratory Bird Day is a day for all bird lovers to come together and pledge for the survival of migratory birds for generations to come. This bi-annual global event aims to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. It was launched in 2006 by the Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
The event is celebrated worldwide and usually takes place on the second Saturday in May and October every year. This year, the day will be marked on May 13, here is all you need to know about the day:
World Migratory Bird Day 2023: Theme
This year’s World Migratory Bird Day campaign will have a new focus on water and its importance for migratory birds. According to the announcement on the official website, water is vital to life on Earth, and most migratory birds depend on aquatic ecosystems throughout their life cycle.
They use rivers, lakes, wetlands, ponds, swamps, and streams for food, drink, nesting, and rest during their long journeys. However, due to increasing human demand for water, pollution and climate change, aquatic ecosystems and migratory birds are under threat worldwide.
The upcoming campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of water for migratory birds and the need to take specific actions to protect water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
World Migratory Bird Day 2023: History
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of migratory birds and the need for their conservation. The AEWA and CMS secretariats started the campaign in 2006.
The idea to set aside a day for migratory birds began in the United States in 1993 with International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), which was successfully celebrated in the Western Hemisphere.
In 2005, the AEWA Secretariat introduced Migratory Waterbird Days (MWD) in Africa, Europe and parts of Asia to address the lack of similar events in the rest of the world. The MWD was well received in the Afro-Eurasian region, which led to the decision to expand it into a global commemorative day celebrating all migratory birds.
The first WMBD was launched in Kenya on the weekend of April 8–9, 2006. The launch’s central event – called Wings – was attended by international celebrities from the worlds of art, business and conservation. Since then, WMBD is celebrated every year and is growing in popularity every year. The global campaign continues to be organized centrally from Bonn, Germany by CMS and the AEWA Secretariat.
In 2018, the IMBD and WMBD campaigns formally united to strengthen global recognition and appreciation of migratory birds and to highlight the urgent need for their conservation.
The new joint campaign adopted the single name of “World Migratory Bird Day” and major events to celebrate the day are held twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and in October. This campaign has been successful in drawing attention to the plight of the birds. Encouraging action to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
World Migratory Bird Day 2023: Significance
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual global campaign that aims to raise awareness of the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. The campaign highlights the ecological importance of migratory birds, the threats they face and the need to take action to protect them.
Migratory birds play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature and the functioning of ecosystems around the world. They also provide important cultural and economic benefits to many communities. WMBD provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and governments to come together and take action to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
It encourages people to learn more about migratory birds, their migration routes and the challenges they face. By raising awareness and taking action to protect migratory birds, we can help ensure their survival for generations to come.