WMBD_Event_Highlights_2020

WMBD Highlights in 2020

GLOBAL CAMPAIGNS

Dedicated organizations, groups and individuals around the world used the day to highlight their commitment to the conservation of migratory birds through engaging their audiences online. For example, the WWF-led #Connect2Earth initiative offered a collection of photography and facts about migratory birds for people around the world to enjoy at home.

Exploring by the Seat of your Pants led an amazing series of informative and educational online events based all over the world, from the United States to Zambia! The day was spent connecting with scientist and conservationist who study and track migrations as well as researching the challenges migrating birds face while also looking for innovative solutions to protect them along their journeys. Check out their fantastic ArcGIS StorMap and media resources!

AFRICAN-EURASIAN FLYWAY

In the African-Eurasian Flyway, vitual events took flight to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! Birdlife International hosted a webinar titled 'The Magic of Migration - Actions that keep migratory birds crossing borders.' The talks in this webinar brought us up-to-speed with some of the remarkable achievements made for migratory birds. Conservation of coastal wetlands that increase the chance of survival of the crtically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, how collaboration with beef producers is beneficial to the birds that rely on the vast grasslands of South America, and much more were dsicussed! Find out more here!

In cooperation with WWF, a hiking excursion of Baltrum island, part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, was conducted (while observing covid-19 protocol) and a guide from the national park explained the importance of this site in the East-Atlantic Flyway. Find out more here!

In Madagascar, Tropical Biodiversity and Social Enterprise conducted birdwatching with young people and students. This was followed by educational activities, a movie screening and a quiz! (while observing covid-19 protocol) Find out more here!

The Ghana Wildlife Society held a series of social media engagements on mingratory birds and an online quiz competition! FInd out more here!

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation hosted a webinar on how birds connect our world! Participants also had the opportunity to engage in educational activities, a quiz competition and a photo contest! Find out more here!

The Copernicus Climate Change Service launched a Bird Migration App! This app is intended to tell the story of how climate variation affects bird migration through scientific knowledge and traceable, quality assured data and also employing maps and visual art. Find out more here!

AMERICAS FLYWAY

Across the Americas, virtual events (such as live talks by experts, videos, quizzes, book readings and many other creative activities designed for children) planned for World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas Flyway were brought together on BirdDayLive, a new online platform developed by Environment for the Americas (EFTA). Three days of programming streamed to Facebook brought together biologists, educators, and youth in our shared passion for migratory birds and their conservation. On 8 October, partners at BirdsCaribbean discussed challenges and successes of conservation efforts in the region and Audrey Peterman shared her lifelong commitment to conservation and her new book. on 9 October, CONABIO's Programa de Aves Urbanas (Urban Bird Program) in Mexico was highlighted and 10 October featured a day of activities and presentations from partners across the Americas.

Standley Lake Regional Park and Wildlife Refuge hosted a virtual event with free, live presentations about native birds including Standley Lake's resident bald eagles as well as the 11 owl species. Self led bird-related activities were posted on the park Facebook page as well as links to Bird Day Live to engage in live animal presentations, story-times and other bilingual bird-related activities.

BirdLife International Americas hosted a webinar in Ecuador called "Connecting the Dots - International cooperation on protecting migratory birds". This webinar highlighted the importance of collaboration between partners to address conservation of migratory birds throughout the Americas Flyway.

Mini-chats "Birdwatching places in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico" - On the occasion of World Migratory Bird Day, Siruki Educación Ambiental gave short talks through their Facebook page so that people could locate urban green areas to go bird watching. The public were able to find out how to get there and what kind of birds they would be able to see (resident and migratory).

         

EAST ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN FLYWAY

Along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the #LegflagChallenge Photo Contest was launched by the  East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) to encourage birdwatchers, bird photographers and all kinds of citizen scientists to document and report sightings of migratory in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway that carry leg flags, bands and tags. This sighting information contributes to conservation! Join the campaign!

The Bowerbird Collective in Burung, Indonesia released 'On the Wings of a Godwit', a musical meditation to the end of the earth and back! This new audio work askd the listener to imagine they are a Bar-tailed Godwit for 15-20 minutes. The audio work featured spoken poetry by Kate Gorringe-Smith, as well as soundscape and music designed and performed by Simone Slattery and Anthony Albrecht. Poetic and evocative, the experience could educate, entertain and move the listener. Versions were produced in both English and Indonesian!

Birdlife International will hosted a webinar titled 'Inspiring Actions for Migratory Shorebird Conservation.' Conservationists working on the grounds to save migratory birds shared their experiences and success stories in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway to provide insight and inspriration for work elsewhere in the region. Check it out here!

The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands Inc. will be hosted a webinar - Migratory Birds and Farminung Communities in Harmony!

Nature Conservation Society Myanmar will host an online media event broadcasting an energetic migratory bird conservation MTV song (Burmese version). The tentative name for the song is "save the journey to your home". This song will be the first conservation song related to migratory bird conservation across the East-Asian Australasian Flyway. Moreover, this is meant to encourage participation from the young generation and will include public figures who are willing to be singers and actors. One ambassador will be the appointed as a public figure for promoting word migratory bird day and including information on the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Also in Myanmar, The Biodiveristy and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) celebrated WMBD 2020 through their facebook page, a painting and poems contest and an online quiz!

          

CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University hosted an online virtual discussion session on migratory birds, their issues and the need for conservation. It was held in Dhaka on October 10, 2020 with decision making leaders, governmental agencies, conservationists, environmental campaigners, and representatives of the news media. A digital art competition was held as well! Check out more here!

Green Planet is hosted a classroom presentation and birdwtching excursion at the Ocean University of Sri Lanka! Find out more here!

The Wildlife Institute of India hosted a one hour talk to raise awareness on migratory birds such as the Amur Falcon and Cuckoo, led by Dr. R. Suresh Humar! Find out more here!