The second annual World Shorebirds Day is right around the corner. This global celebration takes place on September 6 and we want to encourage all shorebirders to participate!

 

Last year, the inaugural celebration connected people across the world, in over 45 countries. The flagship project of World Shorebirds day is the Global Counting Program which aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular shorebird monitoring as a core element of bird protection and habitat conservation. The purpose of the event is to encourage every birder to get involved in regular shorebird counts, while raising recognition of shorebird plight around the world.

 

 

 

“Many of the threats shorebirds face can be successfully addressed and alleviated,” said Brad Winn, Director of Shorebird Habitats Management at Manomet. “Many of these threats are also universal. From the coast of Africa to Panama Bay, beach engineering leading to habitat loss, water pollution, invasive organisms, and other human induced pressures are affecting shorebird populations. World Shorebirds Day allows those concerned about shorebirds and the world-wide losses to shorebird habitat, to connect across geographical boundaries to help raise awareness and inspire conservation action ”    

 

 

 

While Manomet will not be holding a formal event this year, many of our staff will be participating in counts throughout the Western Hemisphere and we want to encourage as many people as we can to do the same.

 

Want to get involved this year?

 

The easiest way to get involved with World Shorebirds Day is to join or start a counting event near you. You can find all of the registered counts or register a new count here. If you need extra help identifying species (and will be birding in New England), take our shorebird guide into the field with you!

 

You can also tune into our Facebook and Twitter accounts to hear stories from our shorebird researchers as they take time to celebrate their accomplishments and learnings from the field.

 

 “Raising awareness of these incredible species and the habitats that support them is critical to reversing shorebird declines. World Shorebirds Day is a special opportunity to do just that,” said Winn. “We hope you will join the global celebration this year, and bring a young nature enthusiast with you.”

 
For more information, please contact Brad Winn at bwinn@manomet.org.
 

 

All photos were taken by Brad Winn. From top to bottom: Red Knots at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, a flock of Red Knots and Ruddy Turnstones, and a Male Hudsonian Godwit displaying.