On October 14th World Migratory Bird Day
October 14th is World Migratory Bird Day. I’m glad there is a day to recognize the importance of this topic. Birds have been migrating since forever, but in recent times, they are facing so many disruptions. It’s unprecedented, and all due to direct or indirect human actions,
I live in California, and in autumn, I often see V-shaped flocks of birds flying. I have seen migratory birds in the marsh, estuary, and beaches of Southern California. Among others, avocets, plovers, sandpipers, terns, and gulls congregate to forage and breed.
Let’s learn how migration is being affected by human actions. For ages, migratory birds have used the sun and geographical locations to reach their destinations. With building, urbanization, agriculture, damming, and other human activities, migratory birds are suffering. Birds often collide with man-made structures, such as skyscrapers, wind turbines, airplanes, and power lines, leading to fatalities. Just the other day, I read the sad news about a thousand birds perishing by colliding into a Chicago building. Bird strikes involving migratory birds during their seasonal migrations are common occurrences, too.
Birds are losing their breeding, wintering, and stopover habitats. I often read about birds dying due to falling into acid sewage from industries or pesticide exposure. If wetlands are contaminated by chemical pollutants, the birds will be poisoned. Migratory birds, particularly waterfowl, are often overharvested. The illegal trade of migratory birds persists. As food insecurity rises and economic conditions are in shambles, there’s an added threat for migratory birds.
If natural predators like coyotes and bobcats attack the birds, that’s nature. But when humans attack them, it’s greed and selfishness.
We don’t want the food chain to collapse. We don’t want spring to be silent. We don’t want the ecological balance to be disrupted. We’ve got to be the voice of the birds.
Let’s pledge to facilitate and protect the migration of birds.
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