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WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

“Protect Insects, Protect Birds,”
Zimbabwe celebrates the World Migratory Bird Day annually, a day dedicated to the incredible journeys of migratory birds and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems, shining a spotlight on the intricate and vital relationship between insects and migratory birds that often goes unnoticed. This year, our theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” highlighting the crucial relationship between these two groups. We recognise the essential role insects play in fuelling the journeys of migratory birds across vast distances. Insects are essential for migratory birds as they provide the necessary energy for these long journeys, influencing the timing, duration, and success of migrations. Migratory birds often time their journeys to coincide with the abundance of insects. This synchronization ensures they have enough food to fuel their long flights and to feed their young.
Migratory birds connect different parts of the world, symbolizing the interconnectedness of our planet. Approximately 4000 species of birds migrate around our Planet Earth with songbirds, waterfowl, waders and shorebirds in the majority.
Why? Migration is movement with a purpose. The main driver is the need to exploit the best food resources, especially during the breeding season.
When? The timing of migration is triggered by changes in day length, as yet not fully understood hormonal changes and local weather conditions.
How? We still don`t fully understand how birds navigate but several mechanisms are used: the sun, moon or stars as `compasses`, an ability to read the Earth`s magnetic field, the skill to interpret the landforms they are flying over and learnt familiarity with terrain that has been visited before.
Nine major flyways form conduits for the huge transfer of continental birds from the northern hemisphere to the tropics and beyond. The three flyways that connect Europe, Asia and Africa together make up the world`s largest migratory system.  Zimbabwe is home to 674 bird species. 140 of them are migratory. Amur Falcons breed in Mongolia and come to Zimbabwe each year flying more than fourteen thousand kilometres to reach us. They fly two and a half thousand kilometres over the sea. The Amur Falcon and its close cousin, the Western Red-footed Kestrel nests in Mongolia and comes all the way to Africa crossing the sea from India and reaching the African coast at the Horn of Africa. They use the monsoon winds in both directions to help them on their journey. On their long sea crossing, they join dragon-flies which also migrate at the same time and these insects provide them with much needed food. Amur Falcons roost at night at specially selected roosting sites usually in eucalyptus trees. At these roosting sites, birds can number a few thousand birds. In Harare, they can be seen in large numbers perched along the power lines on the main road to Ruwa at the Mabvuku turnoff.
Amur Falcon, Palaeartic Migrant, arrives in Zimbabwe in November and leaves in March.
However, their journeys are fraught with challenges facing a multitude of hazards both natural (eg. predation from other animals, the weather) and human-induced. These are: hunting and trapping, coastal development, wetland degradation, deforestation, pollution (air, water and pesticides), long-line fishing, overhead powerlines, wind farms, climate change. Insect populations are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change and this decline directly impacts migratory birds, threatening their survival. Insects provide essential proteins and fats that are crucial for the energy needs of birds, especially during migration and breeding seasons.

To protect migratory birds, we must also focus on conserving insect populations. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing pesticide use, and preserving natural habitats. By doing so, we ensure that migratory birds have the resources they need to thrive. One broken link in the chain of critical sites connecting the northern hemisphere and the tropics can impact the viability of migratory bird populations including shorebirds. Educating the public about the importance of insects and their role in the ecosystem can lead to more support for conservation efforts. There is continuous research and monitoring, essential to understand migratory patterns and the challenges these birds face. This data helps inform conservation strategies and international policies.

Zimbabwe has made significant strides in the conservation of migratory species through acceding to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 2012, an agreement that aims to conserve migratory species and their habitats across their migratory routes. Zimbabwe has been actively working on the expansion of Vulture Safe Zones, work on migratory species in transboundary areas e.g. KAZA, identifying priority areas for migratory species (OECMs) and wetlands. Zimbabwe has an active Vulture Action Plan which is being implemented across the country. Birdlife Zimbabwe and Birdlife International has been instrumental in the conservation of migratory birds.

Let us all commit to taking simple yet effective actions to protect insects and, by extension, the birds that depend on them, every effort counts. Let us commit to taking action, whether through community initiatives, policy advocacy, or personal choices, we all have a role to play in protecting these magnificent creatures and the ecosystems they depend on.

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