10/10/2026
From the wetlands of Eastern Africa to distant landscapes across Europe and Asia, migratory birds undertake remarkable journeys that connect continents, ecosystems and communities. Along the African–Eurasian Flyway, wetlands provide essential habitats where birds can feed, rest and replenish their energy during migration.
From the Rift Valley lakes and inland wetlands to coastal lagoons, estuaries and mangrove ecosystems along the Western Indian Ocean, these habitats form part of an interconnected network that supports migratory birds across borders. Protecting them is essential to sustaining bird populations and the ecological connections on which they depend.
This year’s theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, highlights the role of community science in bird conservation. Through bird counts, recorded sightings and long-term monitoring, individuals, communities, researchers and conservation organisations contribute to a growing body of knowledge about migration patterns, population trends and changes in habitats. These observations help inform conservation decisions at local, national and international levels.
Birds connect us across borders. Protecting the wetlands where they stop to rest and refuel is essential to keeping their migration routes alive.
