On Saturday, 9 May 2026, we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day – a day that reminds us that birds need not only our attention during observation, but above all a safe space for living, resting, and migrating. Birds influence the functioning of ecosystems, participate in nutrient cycling, are part of food chains, and help maintain environmental balance. Some are tied to wetlands, others to fields, river valleys, or forests. For this reason, they serve as clear indicators of the condition of the landscape around us, and the idea of bird protection has a long history, dating back to the early twentieth century, when the first international agreement for the protection of birds beneficial to agriculture was signed in Paris (Poland has been a party to it since 1932).
Celebrated twice a year, on the second Saturdays of May and October, World Migratory Bird Day draws particular attention to the fact that birds do not recognise administrative borders. During their migrations, they often cover thousands of kilometres, utilising various habitats situated across different continents. Thus, bird protection cannot be limited to a single location – it must encompass migration routes, resting places, and feeding grounds.
In Poland, one of the most recognisable bird species is the white stork Ciconia ciconia. Poland is highly significant for the global population of this species – according to estimates, as much as 25% of the world population nests here in the country. The stork clearly demonstrates that effective bird protection is about more than simply securing nesting sites – it is essential to care for feeding grounds and ensure the safety of migration routes between Europe and Africa.
White stork at a feeding ground (photo: Ambiens)
White storks at the nest (photo: Ambiens)
Equally significant is the presence of migratory birds associated with open areas, such as lapwings Vanellus vanellus or geese Anser sp., Their presence is a reminder that even seemingly ordinary meadows and fields can be of immense natural value. Birds of prey, on the other hand, are important indicators of environmental health, because due to their long chick-rearing period and the small number of young, they require an adequate food base and proper habitat conditions over a larger area.
Migrating lapwings and starlings Sturnus vulgaris (photo: Ambiens)
Greylag geese Anser anser at a feeding ground (photo: Ambiens)
The main threats to birds are habitat loss, fragmentation, drainage of wetlands, removal of trees and woodland clearance, as well as increasing human pressure. For some species, collisions with buildings, power lines, and wind turbines are also a problem. In cities, additional challenges include intense lighting and the way green spaces are arranged, which does not always support biodiversity.
Good spatial planning and thorough environmental surveys before construction begins are crucial for bird protection. Preliminary screening and pre-investment monitoring make it possible to identify which species occur in a given area, when they use it most intensively, and which landscape features are most important to them.
Environmental assessments and ornithological surveys play a key role in this process, as they enable a better understanding of how birds use the area, help identify potential conflicts, and suggest solutions to minimise the impact of planned activities on birdlife. This is particularly important in the case of renewable energy projects, where an analysis carried out at an early stage can help to more effectively combine investment objectives with nature conservation.