Daily Archives: May 7, 2015

World Migratory Bird Day, May 9-10, 2015

World Migratory Bird Day Poster, 2015

World Migratory Bird Day Poster, 2015

World Migratory Bird Day, May 9-10, 2015

by Ted Beringer

With growing international appreciation that habitat must be protected across the expansive area required for migratory birds to breed, roost, and otherwise return to their summer and winter destinations, at least two major organizations were formed to protect their habitat and educate people regarding importance of habitat for survival of these birds. For this purpose, International Bird Day was created by a coalition of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in 1993. This observation day focused on flyways across the United States. We can use the Blue-winged Teal as an example of a migratory bird with far ranging habitat requirements. Although it may breed in Kansas, it can breed as far north as Canada; and, spend its winter (non-breeding) season as far south as South America. Habitat in all these locations must remain intact for the Blue-winged teal to continue thriving.

An additional initiative called the World Migratory Bird Day was created to include African-Eurasian birds and to increase global awareness of conservation and to advance environmental education. World Migratory Bird Day has been celebrated on the second weekend of May each year since 2006. For 2015 the theme is “Energy – Make it Bird Friendly”. Relevant to this theme, one must note that the aggressive destruction of the Canadian Boreal forest to exploit tar sands located there will degrade habitat for millions of migratory birds that pass through Kansas on their way to the Boreal forest to breed including Smith’s Longspur and many types of warblers and hawks.

Visit the map of events celebrating World Migratory Bird Day all across the world at http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/events-map.