The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) proudly joins the international community in celebrating World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2025, under the theme “Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.” This year’s campaign emphasizes the urgent need for harmonious coexistence between humans and migratory birds in an increasingly urbanized world.
As a national partner of BirdLife International, SPNL stands at the forefront of Lebanon’s conservation efforts to protect migratory birds that travel through one of the world’s most important flyways—the African-Eurasian Flyway. Lebanon plays a critical role as a stopover point for millions of birds migrating between Europe, Asia, and Africa, yet faces persistent challenges from habitat loss, urban sprawl, and illegal hunting.
“Urban planning must begin to include birds as residents, not as visitors,” said Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL. “We must reimagine our cities as safe havens—not threats—for these incredible travelers.”
Why It Matters
Migratory birds undertake awe-inspiring journeys of thousands of kilometers to breed, feed, and survive. However, their survival is increasingly jeopardized by glass collisions, pollution, light disorientation, and the degradation of critical stopover habitats due to rapid and unsustainable urban expansion.
This year’s WMBD theme calls on governments, municipalities, businesses, schools, and individuals to make proactive changes—ranging from installing bird-friendly glass and reducing nighttime lighting to restoring green spaces and protecting wetlands.
SPNL’s Ongoing Efforts
SPNL has long championed bird conservation in Lebanon through its revival of the Hima community-based conservation approach, establishment of bird observatories, advocacy for enforcement of anti-poaching laws, and active participation in international flyway initiatives. SPNL’s Anti-Poaching Unit (APU), working closely with local authorities and civil society, has made significant strides in reducing threats to migratory birds during the spring and autumn migration seasons.
In line with the 2025 theme, SPNL is expanding its outreach to municipalities across Lebanon to promote urban greening, reduce hazards to migratory birds, and integrate biodiversity conservation into local planning strategies.
Celebrate WMBD with SPNL
SPNL invites schools, municipalities, and nature lovers to join a series of awareness walks, art workshops, birdwatching tours, and Hima talks scheduled across Lebanon throughout May and October 2025. These activities aim to connect communities with nature and highlight practical ways to make our cities safer for birds.
The two peak celebration days for WMBD 2025 are:
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Saturday, 10 May 2025
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Saturday, 11 October 2025
About World Migratory Bird Day
WMBD is a global campaign supported by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas (EFTA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP). Celebrated twice annually, WMBD raises awareness about the conservation of migratory birds and the shared responsibility to protect their habitats across borders.
For more about the global WMBD campaign, visit: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
Related Resources
State of migratory birds
BirdLife International – Migratory Birds and Flyways
This webpage outlines the state of migratory birds, the threats they face and current international initiatives to protect migratory birds and their flyways.
BirdLife International – State of the world’s birds 2013
This report provides a comprehensive overview of global bird conservation trends and the threats faced by the world’s birds
American Bird Conservancy – Threats to Birds
This webpage provides information on threats to birds and facts about bird conservation.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
This comprehensive database contains information on the conservation status and trends of many of the world’s plant and animal species. It is produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This report assesses the state of the world’s migratory species and outlines the case for migratory species conservation. It was produced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada
This program aims to protect migratory birds in the urban environment. The website provides information on urban threats to birds and potential solutions.
Flyways conservation
CMS Programme of Work on Migratory Birds and Flyways [pdf]
This document outlines the Programme Work on Migratory Birds and Flyways as adopted by the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). It outlines a number of actions to be taken by CMS parties to promote the conservation of migratory birds and their flyways.
The Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative (WHMSI)
The mission of the Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative is to contribute to the conservation of migratory species of the Western Hemisphere.
East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)
An international network of national governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs and private enterprise for the conservation of migratory waterbirds, their habitats and the livelihoods of people dependent upon them in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
Wings over Wetlands (WOW) – The African-Eurasian Flyways Project
Completed in 2010, WOW aimed to improve the conservation of African-Eurasian migratory waterbirds through implementing measures to conserve the critical network of sites used in the their annual cycle.
The Siberian Crane Wetland Project (SCWP)
Completed in 2010, the SCWP was a six-year project aimed at sustaining the ecological network of wetlands in Asia that are of critical importance for migratory waterbirds.
BirdLife International- spotlight on flyways
This webpage outlines a number of international initiatives on flyways conservation. It also includes fact sheets for each of the world’s eight major flyways and links to over thirty case studies on migratory birds and flyways.
Migratory bird science
African Bird Ringing Scheme (AFRING)
Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), this programme aims to improve the coordination and quality of bird ringing efforts within Africa.
European Union for Bird Ringing (EURING)
A coordinating body for bird ringing schemes in Europe.
This page outlines the key tracking activities of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It includes interactive maps showing the international pathways flown by migratory birds.
This page outlines the key tracking activities of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). It includes a time lapse map of the movements of migrating individuals over their annual cycle.
Related conventions
and international organizations
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)
The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) aims to maintain or restore populations of waterbird species in the Africa-Eurasia region at a favorable conservation status.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aims to conserve biological diversity, ensure sustainable use of the components of biological diversity and ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention)
The Ramsar Convention aims to ensure the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.
BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organizations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
IUCN is the world’s largest conservation network with the mission to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature.
International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC)
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) is a politically independent advisory body which aims to preserve wild game and hunting. The mission of CIC is to promote, on a global scale, sustainable hunting as a tool for conservation, while building on valued traditions.
Wetlands International is an international NGO dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. They work regionally, nationally and internationally to achieve the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
