World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats--come to the Environmental Center for a morning of bird-related hikes and activities.
Many of the bird species that sing to us all summer have winter homes farther south in Central or South America. Some birds pass through our region, and some settle in for the summer. World Migratory Bird Day celebrates the diversity of birds that live among us.
On Saturday, May 11, we’ll host activities at the Frick Environmental Center to engage your larger-than-bird brain and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in partnership with the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, Pittsburgh Park Rangers, Carnegie Museum of Natural History (BirdSafe Pittsburgh & Powdermill Avian Research Center), Allegheny Goatscape, BirdLab, Feminist Bird Club of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. We will have various activities for learners of all ages, from fledgling to adult, that teach ways to appreciate and help birds in our backyards.
This year’s theme for the global event is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.” Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations.
Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers. The timing of bird migration often coincides with peak insect abundance at stopover locations, supplying nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys.
