April 1 — International Day of Birds

On April 1st, the entire world celebrates one of the "oldest" environmental holidays. On this day, we welcome spring, rejoice in the arrival of birds, and remind ourselves how to protect and help our feathered friends.

Bird Day is the "oldest" holiday in the ecological calendar – it has been celebrated since 1906.

Bird Day is the time when feathered birds return from their wintering grounds. Rooks open the season, followed by wild geese, ducks, cranes, and gulls. In April, thrushes, robins, greenfinches, chaffinches, and finches arrive.

Traditionally, at this time, in anticipation of the arrival of feathered birds, birdhouses, duck nests, and other "bird homes" were hung. The ancient tradition of making birdhouses and other nesting sites had a deep meaning: people not only helped birds but also became closer to nature through this act.

At the same time, people celebrated the arrival of spring, symbolically experiencing the awakening from winter hibernation along with nature. An old custom was to bake larks made of dough on this day and sing special calling songs.

On this day, we not only welcome spring and rejoice in the arrival of birds but also remember the monstrous mistakes of the past – the extermination of birds.

Environmental pollution poses an equally serious threat. Birds find themselves in a precarious situation primarily due to human actions, which have brought their populations to the brink of extinction through uncontrolled hunting, pesticide use, or fundamental transformation of natural habitats.

Many species that require wetlands or mature forests face threats to their existence due to the destruction of large numbers of such habitats. For instance, wetlands are vital for moorhens, bitterns, marsh wrens, and many other feathered birds.

The Rossonsky District Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection asks everyone to join in this initiative in honor of International Bird Day.