World Migratory Bird Day 2024: ‘Protect Insects, Protect Birds’

Tradewinds staff
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World Migratory Bird Day is the perfect occasion to plan a birding outing with students, friends, and family. It marks peak migration activity — which means that birds will be everywhere! It’s a wonderful time for both beginner birders and those with more experience to enjoy our magnificent Caribbean biodiversity. (Photo by Natural History Museum of Jamaica)

Birdwatchers and nature lovers across the Caribbean are invited to marvel at the incredible migratory journeys that birds make to reach their wintering grounds here in the region on Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) Saturday. Peak migratory activity is expected and birds will be everywhere, the organization BirdsCaribbean announced.

The Caribbean islands play a critical role in the survival of millions of migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometers in search of safe places to spend the winter. The territory’s gardens, forests, wetlands, and coastlines become essential “all-inclusive” rest stops, providing food and shelter to sustain birds on their long journeys, according to the press release.

The striking Back-and-white Warbler also visits the Caribbean during migration season! Black-and-white Warblers can be found in a wide range of habitats. As well as forests and woodlands, they can be seen in gardens, shade-coffee plantations, wetlands, and mangroves. (Photo courtesy BirdsCaribbean)

The theme of WMBD 2024, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” highlights the crucial role insects play in supporting migratory birds. As food gets scarce on their breeding grounds in North America, these birds travel south to the Caribbean and Central and South America, relying on abundant insect populations for nourishment. The success of bird migrations depends on the availability of insects at stopover sites, making insects vital to the survival of migratory species, the press release stated.

One of the incredible migratory birds that comes to the Caribbean is the Peregrine Falcon. Able to achieve speeds of upwards of 320km when diving, the Peregrine Falcon is famous for not only being the fastest bird in the world — but being the fastest animal in the world! (Photo by Chuck Hantis)

Insects are also indispensable to the ecosystems and benefit humans in numerous ways. They pollinate crops, control pests, and help decompose organic matter. Despite their importance, insect diversity and populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution. This decline threatens the birds and ecosystems that depend on them, the release stated.

Tens of thousands of migratory birds, like these Sanderlings, will visit our islands during migration season! Wetlands and coastal habitats are especially important for these birds to rest and refuel — for migratory birds, the increasing degradation and loss of these habitats in the Caribbean is a matter of life and death. (Photo courtesy BirdsCaribbean)

This October, Caribbean islanders can participate in safeguarding both birds and insects. Simple actions like reducing pesticide use, planting insect-friendly gardens, and participating in local conservation events can make a lasting impact on our ecosystems, it said.

Visit www.birdscaribbean.org and find BirdsCaribbean on social media for more migratory bird facts, tips to help insects and birds thrive, and free fun activities to get involved.