World Migratory Bird Day has two dates – the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October (until 2018, the holiday was celebrated only in May). Back in 1906, the International Convention for the Protection of Birds was approved. And the holiday itself appeared in 2006 after the conclusion of an agreement aimed at improving the conditions of existence of migratory birds.

Millions of birds cross seas, mountains and plains every year to survive. Unfortunately, the population of migratory species is constantly decreasing due to human economic activity:

• Drainage of swamps.
• Construction of places for rest and feeding of birds.
• Hunting on migration routes (this is how the white crane that migrated from Siberia to India through Central Asia was exterminated).
• Large buildings illuminated at night (lighthouses, monuments, TV towers, skyscrapers).
• Power lines.

International Migratory Bird Day is one part of the campaign to save rare animals.