World Migratory Bird Day is a special day to celebrate these incredible birds and help protect them. This year, we’re focusing on making our cities, villages, towns, and communities, from rural to urban, more bird-friendly. In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.
“Bird-friendly” means making our environment safe and welcoming for birds. We can do this by planting native plants, providing clean water, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. By creating and protecting shared spaces, we can help birds on their long journeys and make our communities more beautiful and healthy. Throughout the year, we will explore the many actions communities can take to make their spaces more bird-friendly. We’ll provide more news about these activities! Join us to learn seven ways you can make your community more bird friendly.
NVBA sponsors a World Migratory Bird Day count to help scientists working to protect migrating birds. Held at the height of spring migration, these counts can average over 100 species for the count circle. Teams of volunteers conduct an area search, counting species and individuals. Data is submitted for inclusion in a hemispheric database used by Partners in Flight to chart the status and population trends of resident and neotropical migratory species. This year’s count will be on Saturday, May 10, 6:00AM - 1:00PM. To help with the count, send a message to Jim Waggener from our website.
Dr. Wood is an Associate Professor at George Mason University with a research focus on conservation studies, ecology, and education. He was the founding director of the Smithsonian Mason Center for Conservation.
