At the beginning of October, we celebrate the European Bird Day. This occasion draws attention to the extraordinary role that birds play in our lives and reminds us that our responsibility towards them is just as important as their presence in the natural world. Birds have accompanied us since the beginning – they have inspired art, music and literature, but above all they perform key ecological functions that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.
Northern wheatear (photo. Ambiens)
Common linnet (photo. Ambiens)
Birds are natural allies of humans and nature. Swifts and swallows can eat thousands of insects in a single day, thus reducing populations of mosquitoes and flies that are troublesome for us. Jays and thrushes contribute to forest regeneration by dispersing the seeds of trees whose fruits they feed on. Ravens, crows and gulls act as natural cleaners, removing organic waste and carrion, which helps limit the spread of diseases. It is not without reason that birds are called the “barometer of the environment” – a decline in waterbird numbers indicates deteriorating water quality, while the disappearance of farmland birds signals that intensive agriculture and the use of chemicals are seriously altering ecosystems.
Mute and whooper swans (photo. Ambiens)
Common sandpiper (photo. Ambiens)
The modern world is not easy for birds. The greatest threat remains habitat loss – meadows and wetlands are disappearing, forests are being fragmented, and traditional rural landscapes are vanishing. Many species also suffer from pesticides, which reduce insect populations, their primary food source. Added to this are collisions with infrastructure – each year millions of birds die in collisions with windows or power lines. Cities pose further dangers in the form of artificial lighting, which disorients nocturnal migrants, and noise, which disrupts their natural communication.
Common buzzard (photo. Ambiens)
Western marsh harrier (photo. Ambiens)
Despite these challenges, we can support birds in many ways. The most important thing is to take care of their habitats – preserving wetlands, meadows, old forests, and mid-field tree stands. In urban areas, good solutions include putting up nest boxes and leaving patches of greenery in their natural state. In gardens, it is worth planting native ornamental plants that provide food for birds, such as hornbeams or yews. It is also important to limit the use of chemical plant protection products and to cover windows with special stickers visible to birds, which reduce the risk of collisions. In the context of developing renewable energy projects, preliminary studies are essential. They make it possible to identify areas and periods particularly valuable for this group of animals in the planned locations of such undertakings.
Raven (photo. Ambiens)
Little ringed plover (photo. Ambiens)
More than 900 bird species have been recorded in Europe, and almost 500 are observed in Poland, of which around 230 breed here regularly. This makes our country particularly important for bird conservation on a continental scale. European Bird Day reminds us that by protecting our feathered neighbours and their habitats, we are also protecting the environment – and our own health and well-being.