World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.

This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of designing and managing urban environments that support both birds and people, aiming to foster coexistence and protect migratory bird populations in the face of rapid urbanization, as stated on the official websites. I began to reflect on this topic of World Migratory Bird Day created by the United Nations. First, I needed to understand: what is a migratry bird? Do birds naturally migrate to warmer climates to mate and lay eggs, and then return? That question sparked my curiosity as I explored the topic further. In any investigation or research, it is essential to use the 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. My “What” was to understand what I needed to know about these birds. Migratory birds are species that travel from one place to another at regular times of the year. When and why? Typically, they migrate between breeding and non-breeding (wintering) grounds. These journeys are often seasonal and can cover thousands of kilometers. Where? Mostly to warmer regions such as Seychelles and other islands. In Seychelles, for instance, there is Bird Island, named after the migratory birds. The island is known for the birds that come to breed, and some locals traditionally collected the eggs during those times and share with the public.

Now that we've established bird migration as a natural phenomenon, it's important to note that some bird species from colder regions migrate during winter, following instincts instilled in them by the Creator.  United Nations created this theme: “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.” My question is why, is this interfering with nature? Do wildlife filmmaker simple interfered with animals who is being eaten during filming? The short answer often given is that human activity has drastically altered natural environments, especially urban areas and migratory birds cannot survive or thrive without human support. Let’s dissect that answer a bit. If you listen closely to many environmental or so-called climate activists, the message sounds like the same chant repeated over the years. But if you look under the drape, you may find an entirely different agenda at play one that goes beyond the slogans.

And yes, while the explanation holds some truth, the reality on the ground tells a different story. In places like Seychelles, entire islands have been cleared in the name of five-star developments. The same is happening in parts of the Maldives and Mauritius. So where do the birds supposed to go? Where birds were also designed to be resilient and adaptable, just as humans are, from the same creator? The question I want to raise does the Creator considered every scenario before making us in His image, for me defiantly a YES. So, is this migratory bird day really a necessary day to be recognised or is it to sympathised with a small group of bird activist.  What do you think?

D.F