Cause for Celebration

Each year, hundreds of thousands of

people observe International Migratory

Bird Day (IMBD). They will gather in

town squares, community centers,

schools, parks, and refuges across the

Western Hemisphere to learn more about

wild birds, take action to conserve birds

and their habitats, and simply have fun.

Like any day of recognition, IMBD exists

to focus attention on something important

and marvelous -- in this case, the journey

birds undertake between their summer

and winter homes. IMBD was created

specifically to highlight the migration of

nearly 350 species of migratory birds

between nesting habitats in North

America and non-breeding grounds in

South and Central America, Mexico, and

the Caribbean. However, the day serves

as an opportunity to celebrate all the

species of birds whose annual movements

enliven our lands, waters and skies.

Migratory birds are some of the most

beautiful, observable, and remarkable

wildlife that share our world. Many know

migratory birds as symbolic harbingers

of spring and melodious songsters of the

woods. Migratory birds are also an

important economic resource, controlling

insect pests and generating billions in

recreational dollars.

Unfortunately, research has shown that

many migratory bird species are in

decline, facing a growing number of

threats on their migration routes and in

both their summer and winter habitats.

Thus, IMBD, in addition to being a day to

foster appreciation, is a call to action.

What Exactly Is

International Migratory

Bird Day?

A Partnership for Birds

IMBD is the hallmark outreach event for

Partners in Flight (PIF)—a unique,

diverse consortium of individuals and

groups who share a vision of healthy bird

populations. Partners in this consortium

include government agencies, conservation

organizations, private businesses, academic

institutions, chambers of commerce, and

everyday citizens.

The 1993 creation of IMBD can be credited

to a PIF member, the Smithsonian

Migratory Bird Center, and the principal

responsibility for its national

coordination currently rests with two

other partners, the National Fish &

Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish &

Wildlife’s Division of Migratory Bird

Management.

In the decade it has existed, PIF has

successfully developed research

programs and management strategies to

further bird conservation, in addition to

promoting outreach and education via

IMBD and other activities.

International

Migratory Bird

Day (IMBD),

held annually

on the second

Saturday in

May, is an

invitation to

celebrate and

support

migratory bird

conservation.

IMBD Information

web - http://birds.fws.gov/imbd

phone - 703 /358-2318

IMBD Materials

web - http://www.BirdDay.org

phone - 1-866/334-3330

March 2005 IMBD celebrates migratory birds

such as the American Redstart that

travel the Western Hemisphere.
IMBD Today

The success of IMBD and other PIF

programs stems from their positive,

voluntary, grass-roots nature. A special

day for migratory birds provides

organizations, large and small, and

individuals, young and old, with the

impetus to take part in an enjoyable

activity to support migratory birds.

Activities might be a bird walk, a lecture, a

class, or a festival.

For those already involved in migratory

bird conservation, IMBD adds momentum

to the cause, raising local activities to the

level of an international movement.

In addition, IMBD provides celebrants

with a focus in the form of an annual

general theme. Themes have included the

importance of wetland habitats, the effects

homeowners have on bird conservation, the

Peregrine Falcon and its celebrated

recovery from an endangered status,

shade-grown coffee, Important Bird

Areas, and colonial bird conservation

issues.

From simply watching a bird, to hosting a

full-scale festival, there are many ways to

celebrate International Migratory Bird Day!

The IMBD 2005 annual theme is

Collisions: Clear the Way for Birds.

IMBD materials and celebrants will

focus on the human-created, often fatal

obstacles birds may encounter in flight

-- including communication towers,

vehicles, power lines, glass windows,

and wind turbines --

and explore the many ways that

agencies, industries, and citizens may

minimize the impacts these obstacles

have on bird populations.

IMBD Resources

IMBD has grown from a good idea to a

significant, annual occurrence. Successes

include:

Growth in the number of annual IMBD

events. More than 500 public events, as

well as countless club, classroom, and

individual events, will take place this year.

An expanding web presence. At http:/

/www.birdday.org and http://

birds.fws.gov/imbd.html, one can find

general IMBD information, IMBD ideas,

downloadable materials, and links to an

Events Registry and other relevant sites.

Annual development of promotional and

educational materials to help event

organizers. These include posters, t-shirts,

educator packets, and resource directories.

An on-line catalog is available at http://

www.birdday.org.

An Events Registry. An on-line database

that allows users to register and advertise

their event. Events are posted on a new

Explorer’s Map which offers up-to-date

information about festivals and more.

IMBD 2005 “officially” falls on May

14. However, IMBD should not be

viewed as a single-day observance!

Event planners are encouraged to

schedule activities on the date or

dates best suited to the presence of

migrants in their area and the needs

of their facility and audience. Every

day is Bird Day.