World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is celebrated twice a year, on two peak days, the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October (8 May and 9 October in 2021).
WMBD is the only international awareness day and education program that highlights and celebrates the migration of birds across the major global flyways.
The 2021 WMBD theme is ‘Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!” and the campaign is dedicated to increasing awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. This year focuses on the phenomena of “bird song” and “bird flight” as a means to motivate and unite people of all ages across the globe in their shared desire to celebrate migratory birds and to join in a collective, global effort to protect birds and their habitats.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world slowed down, and people across the globe have been listening to and watching birds like never before. For many, bird song has been a source of comfort and peace during the pandemic and a connection to others and nature.
There are several ways to get involved this year and show support for WMBD! There is an Instagram campaign where you can share your photo of birds on Instagram with the hashtag #BirdsConnectUs! (If you can – please add the species name and the location of where it was seen).
To celebrate WMBD, thousands of birdwatchers will be recording their bird sightings along all the world’s major flyways by joining Global Big Day on 8 May. This high-profile global citizen science event, powered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, brings the world’s birders together to record sightings via the eBird app and help set a new world record for the greatest number of birds recorded on a single day.
There is also a Global Events Map (https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/events-map) that shows country-specific events if you want to participate in your local WMBD event!
More information can be found at https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
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