Several World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2007 highlights took place at some of the most critical sites required by migratory waterbirds across the African-Eurasian region. A number of these activities were also conducted at wetlands, which have been chosen as demonstration sites for best-practice of wetland management across the African-Eurasian Flyways under the 4-year Wings over Wetlands project.

Haapsalu-Noarootsi Wetland, Estonia: Field excursion on WOW Estonian demonstration project site

On 10th May 2007 the State Nature Conservation Centre organised a Field Excursion to the "Wings over Wetlands" Estonian demonstration site to celebrate the WMBD 2007. This event was organised for environmental specialists and school teachers to demonstrate the importance of the Haapsalu-Noarootsi Wetland. The main aim of this event was to inform these target groups about demonstration project activities and achieve better cooperation with local schools and environmental organisations. [read full report]

Wakkerstroom wetlands, South Africa: Importance of water for migratory birds

Several Members of the Wakkerstroom Youth Organisation, the Wakkerstroom Primary School Environment-Club, community members and local bird guides participated actively in the WMBD event on the 12-13 May 2007. The celebration included theory and bird watching sessions. The presentations dealt with the impact of climate change on migratory birds, the significance of birds in nature and the importance of local precious wetlands. During the bird excursion, the participants sighted 35 bird species in the Wakkerstroom wetlands, one of the most important wetlands in South Africa. [read full report]

Hadejia-nduru wetlands, Nigeria: Migratory birds in a changing climate

The world Migratory Bird day was celebrated at the Hadejia Nguru Wetlands - Dagona Waterfowl Sanctuary Yobe State Nigeria on Thursday 10th of May 2007. It was an educational awareness programme with over 500 people in attendance which included students (Conservation Club members) from 3 schools within the wetlands, teachers, representatives from Local Government Office, representatives from community based organisations, and staff from the Lake Chad National Park. A presentation was given by Ms. Anu Akinola, from the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). Interpretation into the local language was provided. A question and answer session followed and education awareness materials were distributed to the attendants. [read full report]

A wide range of educational activities and field excursions, organised by the WOW partners at these sites, helped highlight the importance of each of the wetlands to schools and to members of the local communities living near these wetlands. Beyond these sites, multipliers at other WOW demonstration sites and at the WOW Sub-Regional Centres received WMBD materials as well as a briefing from the WOW Project Coordination Unit (PCU), during their official visits to the sites and regional centres in the run-up to the WMBD weekend.

The many WMBD activities which took place in the African-Eurasian region and the wide ranging public support WMBD received from the WOW Partnership and beyond it, proves that a growing network of dedicated organisations, governments, NGOs and people in Africa and Eurasia are active and ready to work together to help highlight and raise awareness about trans-boundary activities focusing on migratory birds and their conservation, such as WMBD, at local and at international level.

World Migratory Bird Day 2007 was also promoted by many of the leading international WOW Project partners, such as Wetlands International, BirdLife International, The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) through a series of WMBD related announcements on their perspective websites.

"The UNEP-GEF Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) Project is based at the Headquarters of Wetlands International in Wageningen, The Netherlands. Wetlands International, the senior lead contractor for the Wings Over Wetlands Project, together with BirdLife International, and with support form UNOPS, are jointly responsible for the technical supervision, institutional oversight and coordination of WOW in the AEWA region, and of the eleven WOW demonstration projects being implemented by local executing partners in each country."

For more information on WOW please see: www.wingsoverwetlands.org