2026/017: World Migratory Bird Day 2026 – 10 October 2026

The CMS and AEWA Secretariats are pleased to invite Parties, Non-Party Range States, partners and stakeholders to take part in the second peak day celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2026 on 10 October under the theme: “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” 

This year's campaign highlights the vital role of community science (also referred to as citizen science) in the conservation of migratory birds. Around the world, millions of people contribute valuable observations that help track migration patterns, monitor population trends, identify threats and inform conservation action and policy. The campaign also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the International Waterbird Census (IWC), highlighting six decades of volunteer-based waterbird monitoring and its contribution to bird conservation worldwide. 

Together with campaign partners, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA), the CMS and AEWA Secretariats encourage Parties, partners and stakeholders to use World Migratory Bird Day as an opportunity to raise awareness of migratory birds and the importance of their conservation at the national, regional and international levels. 

The Secretariats would like to invite CMS and AEWA National Focal Points to engage in promoting World Migratory Bird Day through their national networks and to encourage relevant institutions and stakeholders to organize or support activities to mark the day. Whether through public events, educational activities, media outreach, social media campaigns or official statements, every contribution helps demonstrate a shared global commitment to conserving migratory birds and the habitats upon which they depend. 

Campaign materials, including key messages, communication materials including sample social media content and guidance on organizing and registering events, are available through the World Migratory Bird Day website: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

About World Migratory Bird Day 

World Migratory Bird Day is a global awareness-raising campaign organized by four international partners: the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA). 

The importance of World Migratory Bird Day has been formally recognized under both CMS and AEWA. Through CMS Resolution 11.9 (Rev.COP13) on World Migratory Bird Day, Parties are encouraged to celebrate and support the campaign and to use it as an opportunity to raise awareness of migratory birds, the threats they face and the importance of international cooperation for their conservation. Similarly, through AEWA Resolution 9.6 on Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA), Parties and partner organizations are encouraged to use World Migratory Bird Day and other international observances to undertake awareness-raising activities in support of migratory waterbird conservation. 

For further information, please contact: 

Florian Keil, Information Officer and World Migratory Bird Day Coordinator, CMS + UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, Bonn, Germany. Email: [email protected] | Tel: +49 228 8152451 

World Migratory Bird Day 2026 Global Poster (available for download here).