world migratory bird day 2026 ~ key messages & Calls to Action

The theme for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2026, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observation Matter” highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats and factors that impact their populations and contribute to our knowledge about how to protect them. Community science, ranging from backyard bird counts to large-scale coordinated surveys/schemes, provide information on species distribution, abundance trends, migration timing, and breeding success. This data is important to identify conservation priorities, and inform effective conservation action plans and strategies. By engaging individuals and communities in monitoring efforts, we not only gather scientific data but also build a deeper connection to nature, raise awareness about the challenges migratory birds face, and inspire direct conservation action. 

This theme will particularly resonate as it coincides with and will leverage promotional materials and visibility from a significant shorebird count happening in 2026, showcasing real-world application of monitoring efforts. It will also highlight other programs that involve the public and benefit bird conservation.

Key Messages - Community Science for Bird Conservation

  1. Community Science Makes Conservation Possible
  • Data Collection at Scale – Volunteers can gather information across vast areas and in places professionals can’t always reach. This large-scale participation is critical for understanding biodiversity and tracking environmental change.
  • Community Scientists Matter – Your observations matter. Whether you are recording information about the birds that are present where you live, the vegetation that they use, or other aspects of their life cycles, such as the quantity of plastics in the places where they are found.

  1. Understanding and Addressing Threats
  • Spotting Vulnerable Populations – Community science can help to reveal when and where birds are most at risk from habitat loss, pollution, or building collisions.
  • Turning Data into Action – Your contributions inform conservation policies, guide habitat management, and help direct protection efforts where they’re most needed.

     

  1. Accelerating Access to Science
  • Faster Discoveries – By sharing your data, you help researchers detect trends and respond more quickly to conservation challenges.
  • Science for Everyone – Community science welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, making the scientific process accessible and empowering.

     

  1. Collaboration Without Borders
  • Global Effort for Global Travelers – Migratory birds cross continents, so protecting them requires cooperation across countries and communities.
  • Local Action, Global Impact – Partner with neighbors, schools, and organizations to create bird-friendly spaces and address threats in your own community.

     

  1. Tools That Make It Easy
  • Technology is at your finger tips – Apps like eBird, iNaturalist, Observation.org, Ornitho, BirdTrack, and BirdLasser make identification and data sharing simple.
  • Gateway to Nature – Using these tools not only aids research but reconnects people with the joy of birdwatching and nature.

 

  1. The Power of Long-Term Data
  • Detecting Subtle Changes – Years of consistent observations reveal trends and shifts in populations that short-term studies miss.
  • Better Predictions, Better Protection – This long-term evidence strengthens conservation strategies for the future.

     

  1. Ethics and Quality Matter
  • Be a Good Birder – Follow ethical birding practices to protect birds, minimize disturbance, and make sure your data remains reliable.
  • Quality Data for Policy – High-quality, verified data is essential for decisions at the local, national, and flyway scale.
  • Connection with Nature – Attention and participation in community science foster a deeper appreciation, and understanding of nature. Noticing the birds around you can inspire curiosity, joy, and a sense of connection to your local environment.

Calls to Action

  1. Become a Community Scientist: Help protect the incredible journeys of migratory birds by observing, recording, joining an effort to gather information, and sharing what you see. Whether you’re 10 or 100, you can make a difference from your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, or local park.
  2. Participate in Global, Regional, and Local Counts: Encourage participation in events like eBird,  International Waterbird Census (IWC), Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), Global and European BirdWatch, the Great Backyard Bird Count, Christmas Bird Count, and local breeding bird surveys.
  3. Contribute Observations to the Platforms that support Conservation Efforts: Promote regular submission of bird observations to global data collection platforms like International Waterbird Census (IWC), Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), Global and European BirdWatch, the Great Backyard Bird Count, Christmas Bird Count, and local breeding bird surveys.
  4. Adopt a Monitoring Site: Encourage individuals or groups to regularly monitor a specific location for migratory birds whether in their local area or in other regions.
  5. Join a Banding Station: Highlight opportunities to volunteer with bird banding operations. Even if you can’t handle birds directly, you can help with data entry, photography, or public outreach.
  6. Report Sightings of Marked Birds: Educate the public on how to report color-banded or marked birds. 
  7. Advocate for Data-Driven Policy: Encourage communities to use monitoring data to support local and national conservation initiatives. Write to local leaders, share findings on social media, or attend public meetings. Encourage governments to actively support, encourage and use community science in their efforts to conserve birds and nature. 
  8. Support Community Science Programs: Encourage donations or volunteer time to organizations running bird monitoring projects. Donate to programs that train young birders, support monitoring projects, or manage bird data. Volunteer your time to help with education, outreach, or organizing local events like World Migratory Bird Day.
  9. Learn About Nature: Build your knowledge by talking with other naturalists and helping others. Teach others what you know—especially kids and new birdwatchers. Learning together builds a community of informed, motivated community scientists.
  10. Use Respectful Birding Practices: Help birds stay safe while you observe them: Don’t disturb nests, resting, or feeding birds. Avoid using playback sounds unless allowed. Respect habitats and leave no trace. Keep noise low and movement gentle.
  11. Learn About Birds in your Area: Learn about the birds where you are at your school, your home, and throughout your community. Pay attention to which birds are present today and return over time to notice change. Create your own community science project to better understand birds in your area by observing, recording, and sharing what you see. Following the example of Joseph Grinnell and the Grinnell Survey, these local observations become lasting records that inform conservation decisions. Start where you are, keep watching, and help build the knowledge birds need for the future.

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