World Migratory Bird Day 2012

Bonn, 14 March 2012 - Each year on the second weekend in May, dedicated people and organizations plan World Migratory Bird Day events to celebrate migrating birds in their region and to raise awareness about the need for their protection. Since World Migratory Bird Day began in 2006, events have been carried out in 104 countries and we hope this year even more people and countries will join the global celebration.

On their epic journeys spanning thousands of kilometres, migratory birds connect continents, cultures and people along their migration routes. World Migratory Bird Day 2012 and this year’s theme Migratory birds and people - together through time highlight the vital relationship between birds and people.

Considering the cultural, social, historic, economic and spiritual connections we have with birds, it becomes clear that migratory birds and people are inseparably connected in many different ways and on many different levels. At the same time, many human activities including excessive land use and unsustainable hunting, as well as the impacts of climate change, fishing by-catch and pollution gravely threaten migratory bird populations around the world.

This year’s poster portrays the 2012 World Migratory Bird Day theme Migratory birds and people – together through time, highlighting the many connections and historic links between migratory birds and people in a truly global way. Humanity’s fascination with migratory birds is evident in the symbolism throughout history in many ancient cultural legends.

For example, in Egypt the ancient falcon-headed god Horus and in Peru the Nazca line monuments are testaments to migratory birds’ strong influences on past cultures. Also, many groups and cultures continue to rely economically on migratory birds for their livelihoods, for example through subsistence and the growing global ecotourism and birdwatching industry.

The phenomenon of bird migration is crucial to the web of life, as migrating birds act as indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem health and climate change. Migratory birds also provide essential ecological benefits and services, such as pollination, to the ecosystems we rely on to survive.

We are pleased to offer this year’s poster in English, French, Spanish and German and free poster packages can be ordered by organizers to support and help promote their events.

You can register your events and order free posters on the new 2012 World Migratory Bird Day Website at: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

Further Information:

World Migratory Bird Day was initiated in 2006 and is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. World Migratory Bird Day is organized by the Secretariats of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) – two international wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – and a growing number of partners.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us:

Mr. Sean Wright

UNEP/CMS Secretariat

Tel: +49 (0)228 815 2480

Fax: +49 (0)228 815 2449

E-mail: contact@worldmigratorybirdday.org

MNS Miri Branch has proudly been celebrating WMBD in Miri for the past 4 years, we would love to celebrate it with you again this year! Join us for a birdwatching trip around your neighbourhood and learn more about birds in your own backyard. Please contact MNS Miri Branch for details of local events in Miri.

Children in Kampung Kuala Nyalau, Bintulu getting an introduction to waterbirds and birds in general.

Pustaka Miri has graciously hosted MNS Miri and our WMBD programs since our first inaugural celebration back in 2007.

Doing the Bungai horizontal with youngsters at one of our birdwatching event.