"Vancouver's World Migratory Bird Day has raised the awareness of residents of the variety of birds and the international importance of habitats around the city"
– Dr. Rob Butler
In May 2011 Park Board Commissioners Constance Barnes and Loretta Woodcock read a proclamation that recognized World Migratory Bird Day, signed by Mayor Gregor Robertson, for the first time in Vancouver. On May 12, 2012 the City, along with the Stanley Park Ecology Society, Bird Studies Canada, Nature Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver and other partners, will recognize World Migratory Bird Day in a series of events being planned across the city.
World Migratory Bird Day is a United Nations initiative that recognizes the importance of birds as key indicators of the health of our environment. Better management of birds and their habitats through initiatives such as Vancouver's Greenest City 2020 Action Plan will benefit birds and residents. Since Greater Vancouver has some of the world's most important habitat and over 407 bird species, it is the perfect place to lead the country in celebrating World Migratory Bird Day.
World Migratory Bird Day Events in Vancouver
9:30 am Proclamation of World Migratory Bird Day in Vancouver
Stanley Park Heron Colony (2099 Beach Avenue)
10:00 am Bird Walks Around Town
Bird experts will lead walks in five different Vancouver parks (meeting places to be determined)
Stanley Park
Everett Crowley Park
The Sanctuary at Hastings Park
Jericho Park
Queen Elizabeth Park
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Open Bird House - Birding Fun for the Whole Family
Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library
Feature Presentation at 2:00 by Russell Cannings, the young Bird Biologist whose Big Birding Year in 2010 set a British Columbia record of sighting 373 different species of birds in one year. Visit his blog here. http://russellcannings.blogspot.ca