World Migratory Bird Day is being celebrated today – for the second time this year

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is celebrated bi-annually on the second Saturday in May and in October.  Migration is described as the long-distance movement of animals migrating in response to local climate, food availability, seasonal changes and for breeding purposes.  WMBD is led by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and aims to raise awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and highlight the need for their conservation and of their habitats.  In a combined AEWA/CMS media release,  Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary, says “Conserving migratory birds requires cooperation and coordination along the entire flyway between countries and across national boundaries. Only by working together can we make sure they will survive and thrive.”

“This year’s theme is “Birds Connect Our World”, 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.”  As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, events marking World Migratory Bird Day 2020 this week are predominantly occuring online with 'virtual' talks and the like (click here).

A Wandering Albatross flies the Southern Ocean crossing international boundaries as it does so, painting by Brett Jarrett

All the 31 ACAP-listed species of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters are migratory in terms of the WMBD definition: even those species endemic as breeders to a single country cross international boundaries when travelling at sea, moving between territorial waters and exclusive economic zones of different countries and into the high seas (click here).  On 19 June in between the two WMBD celebrations, ACAP took the lead in initiating and marking the first World Albatross Day (WAD2020).  In February, the CMS held its 13th Conference of Parties, with the theme “Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home”.  CoP13 in Gandhinagar, India was attended by ACAP’s Executive Secretary, Christine Bogle, who in her statement to the body informed attendees of the Agreement's plans for WAD2020.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 October 2020