MADISON – Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites, often resting and sometimes nesting along the way. International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10 will focus on the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to a successful journey.

International Migratory Bird Day is held each year on the second Saturday in May to draw attention to the plight of migratory birds that make incredible journeys between their summer and winter habitats.

“International Migratory Bird Day is a time to reflect on the beauty and joy neotropical migrant birds bring us,” said Sumner Matteson, an avian ecologist with the Department of Natural Resources. “These long-distance migrants, especially the warblers and other colorful songbirds, are the crown jewels of the bird world.”

He noted the arrival of these birds from places as far away as Central and South America reminds us that not only do they have to contend with the rigors of flying long distances but with hazards such as the proliferation of tall structures such as cell towers, wind turbines and TV towers, and with dwindling or fragmented stop-over habitats along the way to their breeding grounds.

“Fortunately, in Wisconsin, there are many partner groups working together to address these migration issues, and there is a strong commitment to monitoring the breeding populations of many of out neotropical migrant birds,” Matteson said.