Bonn/Nairobi,
8 May 2008 - The theme for this year's World
Migratory Bird Day: "Migratory Birds
- Ambassadors for Biodiversity" draws
attention to the link between migratory
birds and wider biodiversity as well as
the overall state of our environment. Birds
are considered to be some of the best indicators
for the status and trends of wider biodiversity
as they connect, and are inhabitants of,
virtually all ecosystems in the world.
Birdwatchers and conservationists
in dozens of countries will mark World Migratory
Bird Day on the weekend of 10-11 May 2008
with concerts, films and other public events
to draw attention to the rising threat to
migratory birds and global biodiversity.
The events will be focussing
on one of the world's most magnificent natural
phenomena - bird migration and the birds'
journeys of thousands of miles between their
breeding and wintering grounds. However,
the global celebrations are being overshadowed
by a series of recent reports indicating
that the numbers of migratory birds are
declining globally.
The decline in numbers
is currently being recorded for many of
the migratory bird species along all of
the world's major flyways - the main migration
systems, or corridors, used by various groups
of migratory birds in different parts of
the world.
For example: 41% of
the 522 migratory waterbird populations
on the African-Eurasian Flyways are declining
and there are reports that numbers of migratory
songbirds using the same flyways are also
decreasing. A study carried out in Australia
shows that populations of 36 species of
migratory shorebirds travelling along the
East Asian - Australasian Flyway have plummeted
by up to 75% over the last 25 years. At
the same time Boreal birds in the Western
Hemisphere, like the Canadian Warbler, which
migrate from the northern tip of Canada
to South America are declining due to the
loss of their forest breeding grounds.
While the exact reasons
for the global declines are complex and
vary from species to species and from flyway
to flyway, the overall decline in bird numbers
may be signalling a wider environmental
problem linked to the loss of habitats and
biodiversity worldwide.
Migratory birds and
in particular long distance migrants are
very vulnerable to environmental changes.
To complete their annual migrations, they
require breeding and wintering areas but
also a network of stop-over sites along
their flyways where they can rest and refuel
before continuing on their journeys. Yet
these important natural habitats and sites,
which also host numerous other threatened
species of plants and animals, are increasingly
being lost globally with agricultural, urban,
infrastructural and industrial development.
For migratory birds, this means fewer sites
are left for them to use throughout their
migration cycle and that the network of
sites they depend on to complete their annual
journeys is getting thinner.
The loss and fragmentation
of essential habitats is being further compounded
by the effects of climate change: rising
global temperatures lead to expanding deserts
and more frequent storms which impact bird
migration and subsequent sea-level rise
threaten tidal and wetland areas which are
important for many migratory birds ? all
factors scientists are also linking to their
decline.
Both the theme and the
timing of this year's World Migratory Bird
Day coincide with the forthcoming 9th Conference
of the Parties of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) to be held in Bonn, Germany
later this month. In this context, the message
of this year's World Migratory Bird Day
is a clear signal to world leaders that
more needs to be done to halt the loss of
biodiversity and to increase national and
international efforts to protect the network
of sites required by migratory birds. Protecting
these important sites for birds will be
beneficial for other biodiversity as well.
Notes to Editors
Quotes from key partners
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General
and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
(UNEP)
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General
and Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), said: "Migratory birds are
some of the most extraordinary creatures
on the planet and in many countries bird
watching is an economically important leisure
and tourism activity. But migratory birds
are more than this. Their dependence on
healthy habitats and ecosystems makes them
among the key indicators as to whether the
international community is truly addressing
the decline and erosion of the planet's
nature-based assets".
"We had a breakthrough
last year at the UN climate convention meeting
in Bali. We now need a similar breakthrough
this month in Bonn at the biodiversity convention
meeting. Otherwise we will continue to squander
and degrade the planet's life support systems
upon which countless species including birds
like the sociable lapwing to the wandering
albatross, but also Homo sapiens ultimately
depend," he said.
Robert Hepworth, Executive
Secretary of the Convention on Migratory
Species (CMS)
"Migratory birds
play a key role as biodiversity indicators.
Any impact on ecosystems resulting from
climate change, habitat degradation or availability
of prey is reflected in the migration patterns
and timing and breeding output of migratory
birds. Both CMS and AEWA work towards addressing
these threats to enhance conservation efforts
aimed at preventing further declines in
populations of these ambassadors of biodiversity."
Bert Lenten, Executive
Secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird
Agreement (AEWA)
"Migratory birds
are not only part of biodiversity they are
also good indicators of the state of biodiversity.
Many species show a long-term decline which
is caused e.g. by the transformation of
biodiversity-rich meadows into monocultures.
The message of World Migratory Bird Day
is that we need to do more to protect their
habitats and to do so both for the sake
of migratory birds and biodiversity."
Mike Rands, Chief Executive
of BirdLife International
Referring to this year's
World Migratory Bird Day theme, Dr Mike
Rands, Chief Executive of BirdLife International
said: "Migratory birds cross many borders
each year, linking different ecosystems.
Being beautiful, inspirational and international
they are excellent ambassadors for biodiversity.
By conserving the birds and their habitats,
we safe-guard biodiversity on a much wider
scale."
Jane Madgwick, Chief
Executive Officer of Wetlands International
"People, all around
the world, are not only touched by birds
and their migration, they live with them
in the same environment. Wetlands are shared
by birds and people and both depend on a
network of healthy sites and their ecosystem
services. Birds with their amazing and very
visible migration bring this home ever so
clearly. It is time that the notion of the
need to conserve ecosystems and their biodiversity,
with birds as ambassadors, becomes core
to development in our world."
World Migratory Bird
Day
World Migratory Bird
Day (WMBD) is a global initiative devoted
to celebrating migratory birds and for promoting
their conservation worldwide. This year
WMBD will take place on the weekend of 10-11
May and its central theme will be 'Migratory
birds - Ambassadors for biodiversity.'
World Migratory Bird
Day is being organised by the Secretariat
of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird
Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) together with the
Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory
Species (UNEP/CMS) - two United Nations
(UNEP) administered environmental treaties
dedicated to the conservation of migratory
animals.
People and dedicated
organisations around the world will be using
the event to help spread the idea of migratory
birds as messengers for the conservation
of biodiversity worldwide. They will be
conducting bird festivals, bird watching
excursions, exhibitions and other educational
and public events to highlight the theme
and to promote migratory birds and their
protection throughout the world.
For more information please see: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
WMBD Partners:
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
is the voice for the environment in the
United Nations system. It is an advocate,
educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting
the wise use of the planet's natural assets
for sustainable development.
Convention on the Conservation
of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS;
also known as the Bonn Convention) aims
to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian
migratory species throughout their range.
It is an intergovernmental treaty concluded
under the aegis of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). Since the Convention's
entry into force, its membership has grown
steadily to include 108 (as of 1 March 2008)
parties from Africa, Central and South America,
Asia, Europe and Oceania.
African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) is an intergovernmental
treaty developed under the CMS dedicated
to the conservation of migratory waterbirds.
The Agreement covers 235 species of birds
ecologically dependent on wetlands for at
least part of their annual cycle. The treaty
covers a large geographic area, including
Europe, parts of Asia, Canada, the Middle
East and Africa. So far 59 out of the 118
countries found in this area have become
Contracting Parties to the International
Agreement.
BirdLife International
is a global partnership of conservation
organisations that strives to conserve birds,
their habitats and global biodiversity.
BirdLife International has long been committed
to the conservation of migratory birds and
the habitats upon which they depend. The
BirdLife Partnership is engaged in migratory
bird conservation at numerous scales, from
projects focused on individual species or
key sites, to broader policy and advocacy
work to promote migratory species conservation,
and involvement in flyway-scale projects.
Wetlands International
is an independent, not-for-profit, global
organisation, dedicated to the conservation
and wise use of wetlands. Wetlands International
works globally, regionally and nationally
to achieve the conservation and wise use
of wetlands, to benefit biodiversity and
human well-being.
Examples of declining species on major flyways:
Migratory waterbirds
along the African-Eurasian Flyway
According to the latest
Conservation Status Report (CSR4) of Migratory
Waterbirds in the African-Eurasian Flyway
the overall trend status of African-Eurasian
waterbird populations is declining. Of those
internationally protected under AEWA (see
description above), less waterbird populations
are estimated as increasing (22%) and more
estimated as declining (41%) in comparison
to 1999. Of the 235 waterbird species protected
by AEWA, 19 species are classified as Globally
Threatened and a further 15 as Near Threatened;
4 species are classified as Critically Endangered
and 5 as Endangered. The four most endangered
species covered by the Agreement in the
Critically Endangered category, are Northern
Bald Ibis, Siberian Cane, Sociable Lapwing
and Slender-billed Curlew.
http://www.unep-aewa.org/about/csr4_report.htm
Migratory shorebirds along the East Asian
- Australasian Flyway
A recent study carried out in Australia
on the number of shore birds shows a dramatic
development: the populations of 36 species
of migratory shorebirds have plummeted by
up to 75% over the last 25 years. The main
reason for this loss has been traced back
to the degradation and disappearance of
wetlands and resting places along the migration
routes from Australia to Northern Asia and
Alaska.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/10/2212835.htm
Migratory songbirds
along the African-Eurasian Flyway
A yet unpublished compilation of statistical
accounts conducted by the British Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
reveals alarming declines in many migratory
bird species in Britain, especially songbirds.
Of the recorded species, almost two thirds
have experienced significant losses; some
even more than 80 per cent. Furthermore,
experts of the RSPB assume that this trend
is not confined to Britain, but appears
Europe-wide and might indicate problems
for the whole African-Eurasian migratory
system.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/the-great-migration-crisis-812640.html
Boreal birds in the
Western Hemisphere
The effects of the ongoing destruction of
the Canadian boreal forest will be felt
as far away as Central and South America.
Many migratory birds breed in these forests
? the loss of their breeding grounds brings
down their numbers. This is sadly highlighted
in the Canadian warbler, whose population
has declined by 45% over the last forty
years.
ttp://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/03/boreal_birds.html
Vultures in Asia affected
by diclofenac
Within 10 years, many migratory vultures
in Asia will be extinct in the wild unless
the sale of the veterinary drug diclofenac
is stopped. The population of the White-rumped
Vulture has dropped to one thousandth of
its population size in 1992. Similar declines
are observed in other Asian vulture species.
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/04/vulture_declines.html
The Sociable Lapwing
? one of Eurasia's most threatened birds
The population of one of Eurasia's most
threatened bird species, the Sociable Lapwing,
has shrunk to 95% of its former size during
the last 15 years. It is suggested that
this decline is caused by changes in land
use. An International Action Plan has been
set up under the African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) to prevent the
extinction of the species and to help promote
international conservation efforts.
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2004/05/sociable_lapwing.html
Lesser Flamingo under
threat in East Africa
The proposal to build a Soda Ash extraction
and processing plant at Lake Natron in Tanzania
could threaten the entire East African population
of the Lesser Flamingo. Changes in the hydrology
and water quality and the resulting degradation
of this recognized Ramsar site may lead
to the loss of an Important Bird Area and
the only breeding site of the Lesser Flamingo
in East Africa.
Examples of ongoing flyway-level conservation
efforts for migratory birds:
African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)
AEWA is an international treaty administered
by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) through which countries cooperate
to conserve migratory waterbirds and their
habitats. The Agreement Area includes Africa,
Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland
and the Canadian Archipelago. A total of
118 countries are covered by AEWA, making
it the largest Agreement concluded under
the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
AEWA's aim is to maintain or restore these
waterbird species and their populations
at a favourable conservation status throughout
their flyways, meaning along the entire
area within which the birds migrate.
East Asian-Australasian
Flyway Partnership
The East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership
is the international Framework for the conservation
of migratory waterbirds on the East Asian-Australasian
Flyway. It enhances the cooperation and
collaboration between stakeholders and has
combined site networks for Cranes, Anatidae
and Shorebirds into a single network, referred
to as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Site Network.
The Western Hemispheric
Migratory Species Initiative and the Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
The Western Hemisphere Migratory Species
Initiative seeks to contribute to the conservation
of migratory species in the Western Hemisphere.
It focuses on strengthening communication
and cooperation among nations, international
conventions and civil society and gives
political support. A network of key sites
across the Americas is established with
the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve
Network (WHSRN), following the idea that
key habitats must be protected in order
to conserve migratory shorebirds. The WHSRN
includes 69 sites in over 10 countries in
North and South America.
Wings Over Wetlands
(WOW) UNEP-GEF African-Eurasian Flyways
Project
The Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) Project is
the largest flyway-scale wetland and waterbird
conservation initiative ever to take place
in the African-Eurasian region. The WOW
is a partnership among international conservation
organizations and national governments,
which aims to improve and conserve healthy
and viable populations of African-Eurasian
migratory waterbirds. One of the key outcomes
of the project will be a new web-based tool
(information portal) that will provide better
information on migratory waterbirds and
their key sites along the African-Eurasian
Flyways. The project is being supported
by UNEP-GEF (The Global Environment Facility),
the Government of Germany and a wide range
of other donors and partners.
Siberian Crane Wetland
Project
In order to sustain a network of globally
important wetlands in Asia, the Siberian
Crane Wetland Project was launched by the
international Crane Foundation and funded
by the Global Environment Facility. The
Siberian crane, used as a flagship species
in the project, links 16 project sites in
Asia also crucial to other wetland birds
and species. The project focuses on ensuring
legal protection of the sites, building
capacity and allowing participation of local
stakeholders. For more information please
visit: http://www.scwp.info/
The 'Migratory Soaring
Birds' project
Many migratory birds of prey rely on a migration
system which means that large numbers of
birds concentrate along relatively confined
flyways; where they are especially susceptible
to threats such as hunting, habitat destruction
and collisions with power infrastructure.
The 'Migratory Soaring Birds' project will
address the underlying causes of these threats
by working with the relevant production
sectors in a coordinated 'flyway system'
approach, backed by measures underpinning
the policy, legal and legislative foundation,
to make the the eastern sector of the Africa-Eurasia
flyway safe for migratory soaring birds.
The project is being executed by BirdLife
International in Partnership with national
NGO partners and government agencies in
the Middle-East and Northeastern Africa,
and is funded through the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For More Information Please Contact:
Florian Keil, Information Officer, UNEP/AEWA
Secretariat on
Nick Nuttall, Spokesperson/Head of Media,UNEP
