A weekend of celebration for migratory birds
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With over 10 per cent of migratory birds in danger, this weekend conservationists highlighted the extinction crisis threatening nature's global travellers.
The theme for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2010, celebrated around the world on 8-9 May, is 'Save migratory birds in crisis - every species counts!.'
Around 19 per cent of all known birds are considered to be migratory, of which 11 per cent are Globally Threatened or Near Threatened.
"The threat of extinction faced by individual bird species is a reflection of the larger extinction crisis threatening life on Earth," says Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and initiator of the World Migratory Bird Day campaign.
Migratory birds face a plethora of mainly human-driven threats: agriculture is degrading natural habitat including vital breeding areas, and imported alien invasive species are changing prey and habitat patterns. Hunting and trapping, logging, an increasingly urban world, pollution and climate change all pose significant dangers to global bird populations.
Events for WMBD in over 40 countries included bird festivals, educational programmes, presentations and birdwatching trips organized by hundreds of dedicated groups and organizations around the world.
An international photo competition - The World's Rarest Bird Photo Competition - is also linked to WMBD this year, with a focus on the world's most threatened birds.
Critically Endangered bird species are found throughout the world in all countries and territories.
"International collaboration is the only way to conserve migratory birds as they pass along their flyways", said Dr Marco Lambertini, BirdLife's Chief Executive.
"That's why the BirdLife Partnership, with over 100 national organizations across continents, can make a great difference in providing safer routes for migratory birds, as well as promoting the crucial inter-governmental efforts needed to address the growing threats along the flyways."
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