World Migratory Bird Day

  Activities for kids brought by the UNEP-CMS, BirdLife International, the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), Environment for the Americas, the US Forest Services, the US National Parks; The Fish and Wildlife Department. Coloring pages and books offer psychological benefits for children, including enhancing mental health, boosting creativity, and providing a meditative and mindfulness experience. Plus, coloring is a great way to help children develop patience, focus, and social skills . Importance of Coloring: 8 Benefits for Kids - Creative Color Lab .

The most diverse group of organisms on the planet are in trouble,with most recent research suggesting insect population are declining at en unprecedented rate. It’s easy to think insects are doing OK. After all, they’re nearly everywhere — crawling through rainforest canopy, burrowing into soil, skimming freshwater ponds or, of course, flitting through the air. On the biological “tree of life” — which classifies organisms to describe their evolutionary and genetic relationship to one another — insects fall under the branch, or phylum, called Arthropods, one of the 40 branches of the Animal Kingdom. In terms of diversity, insects are unrivaled, representing two-thirds of the world’s more than 1.5 million documented animal species with millions more bugs likely still undiscovered, scientists say. By comparison, there are roughly 73,000 vertebrates, or animals with a backbone from humans to birds and fish — these represent less than 5% of the known Animal Kingdom, according to the Interna

Many birds’ journeys coincide with peak insect abundance in their stopover areas. Participate to this year campaign ''Protect Insects,Protect Birds'' co-organized by the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) , the BirdLife International , the United Nations Biodiversity , the BTO British Trust for Ornithology , Environment for the Americas WWF .

Insects provide nutrition for migratory birds, Insect populations are declining globally , and this phenomenon is mirrored by a decrease in populations of birds that depend on these insects for their survival. This May 11th, let's focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds and learn how to Protect Insects, Protect Birds on World Migratory Bird Day 2024 ! In her video message, Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), calls for the urgent need for global action to safeguard both insects and migratory birds.

World Migratory Bird Day 2024 shines a spotlight on the relationship between migratory birds and insects amidst alarming declines for both. The celebration of the Day is a global campaign that educates and promotes conservation efforts for migratory birds and their journeys across borders. It raises awareness about the challenges birds face and encourages conservation actions worldwide. World Migratory Bird Day triggers hundreds of educational events around the world that are united by their common goal of raising awareness and advocating for international bird protection . Each year the campaign features a central theme, prompts action, and coordinates global efforts to safeguard migratory birds and their habitats. This year, we focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds . Present in almost all the world’s ecosystems, insects are essential food sources for migratory birds on their long journeys . Migratory birds often time their migrations to align with insect abundance.

  “Insect populations are declining globally, and this is affecting many insect-eating migratory birds. While further research is needed to understand the extent of the problem, the decline of insects in many parts of the world is already having significant impacts on a range of migratory insectivorous species, especially bird and bat species. This has also recently been underlined by a  CMS Report on Insects , presented at CMS COP14 in February 2024.” -  Amy Fraenkel , Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)