World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) occurs every year on the second Saturday of May in the northern hemisphere and the second Saturday in October in the southern hemisphere.  The campaign is a joint effort of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), t he African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird AGreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas and the EAAFP. The addition of the EAAFP to this Partnership will strengthen engagement and awareness for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. 

Each year brings a special focus for WMBD. In 2023,  the first year that Evanston participated in the program, the focus was on migratory birds and water.  In 2024, the focus is on birds and insects.

From the WMBD website:

"The decline in the global insect popularion has enormous consequences for migratory birds.  Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory birds species, not only dudring the breeding season but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affects the timing, duration and overall success of bird migrations. 

Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers. The timing of bird migration often coincides with peak insect abundance at stopover locations, supplying nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys.  The loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and along avian migration routs threaten bird survival and well-being. Natural spaces like forests and  grasslands that have been transformed or endangered by intensive agriculture and urban development and its effects such as light pollution can result in a decline in insect populations. Pesticides and herbicides designed to protect crops harm insects that birds rely on for food.  A scarcity of energy-and protein-rich insects can hinder bird migration and breeding, leading to weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.

Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts  these ecosystem functions.  Overpopulation of certain insects, without natural predators from birds, can also causse outbreaks that damage plant health and agriculture."

Evanston has been a Bird City Illinois since 2023. All Bird City Illinois cities are required to write a proclamation declaring WMBD by the City Council, as well as presenting programs that celebrate migratory birds and suggest how people can appreciate birds and, in 2024, how they can improve Evanston's habitat so insects can flourish.

Mayor Daniel Biss will read the Proclamation at the City Council meeting on April 29.

Evanston's WMBD covers a week of activities, culminating on May 11, and continuing to one activity on May 13:

Sponsored by Evanston North Shore Bird Club: FIELD TRIPS  to Evanston and nearby bird hotspots:

Tuesday, May 7: Harbert Payne Park, Evanston Look for early spring warblers and other migrants in one of Evanston's newest ecologically managed sites along the North Shore Channel. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the intersection of Bradley Place and McDaniel Ave, enter from Main St.

Wednesday, May 8: West Ridge Nature Park, Chicago We will look for warblers and other migrants, local raptors and more. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at WRNP main entrance (5801 N. Western Avenue) Free street parking available on Western Avenue.

Thursday, May 9: Perkins Woods, Evanston This is a hotspot for warblers and other migrating birds. We will look for spring wildflowers, too. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Ewing Ave. and Grant St.

Friday, May 10: Skokie Lagoons, Winnetka This trip promises a great list of warbler species during spring migration. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Erickson Woods Forest Preserve parking lot. Turn North into the parking lot from Willow Road, just east of the Eden's Expressway.

Saturday, May 11:

Field trip to Northwestern University.  Evanston NU’s campus is a stopover for migrants of all kinds headed North. Meet at 7:30 a.m. on the lakeside of the upper deck of the NU South parking lot, located off Sheridan Rd. and Clark St., North of Clark Street Beach.

Sponsored by the Ecology Center:

Birding By Boat, 10am-noon, Class Code112129 Dammrich Rowing Center- 3220 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076 Register here:

Sponsored by the Evanston Public Library Crown Center Branch

Grab your Bird & Bug Windchime Craft Kit anytime between May 6 and 11.

Watch "Why do Birds need Bugs" on our TV all week long!

Attend our Toddler Storytime focusing on migratory birds and insects on Monday 5/13 at 10:30am

Sponsored by Evanston North Shore Bird Club

Saturday, May 11th: Drawing Birds with the Field Museum From 1:30-3:30 at the Levy Center.  Be inspired by looking closely at real bird specimens. John Bates will tell of each bird's travel and family experience. Peggy Macnamara will give you simple tips on how to represent each bird correctly. Art supplies will be provided. All ages welcome. Children under 18 must come with an adult chaperone. Registration here: