On the 9th of May, we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! WMBD is a global campaign to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. This year the theme of World Migratory Bird Day is “Birds Connect Our World” and was chosen to highlight the importance of conserving and restoring the connectivity and integrity of ecosystems that support the natural cycles that are essential for the survival and wellbeing of migratory birds._
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Connectivity is essential for migratory species, and important for a wide variety of ecological functions. With one million species facing the risk of extinction within our generation, connectivity has become a major topic for biodiversity and sustainability. Migratory species move across the globe, running, swimming, or flying, connecting countries, people and continents through their migration routes. This migration can only be accomplished when animals are able to access the different sites and habitats that they rely upon along their pathways. These pathways transcend national borders, naational plans and conservation priorities of any single country and the conservation of these species and pathways therefore require cooperation between countries and across national boundaries. _It’s quite a feat to make this happen (or not as the case often is) across a world with hard borders and often nationalistic tendencies._
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Global action through environment treaties such as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) is essential to protect migratory birds on their international journeys. Creating protected habitat corridors would be of great benefit to migratory birds and other migratory wildlife. In addition, networks of critical sites key to migration need to be safeguarded and managed. _
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Keep an eye out on the birds this week!_
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P.S. If ever you want the best birding spot in the world, Lis hasn’t beaten Black Rock Lodge in Belize. That place is magic and will make even a non-interested birder fall in love!
