World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) raises awareness about bird conservation, especially the threats (both human and nonhuman) birds face during seasonal migration. During the weeks leading up to WMBD, bird-focused organizations hold events to celebrate birds, participate in conservation initiatives, and raise awareness about birds in their communities. Each year, WMBD adopts a new theme. The theme for World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2026, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observation Matter” highlights the role of public participation in collecting data on migratory bird populations and their habitats and factors that impact their populations and contribute to our knowledge about how to protect them.

Community science, ranging from backyard bird counts to large-scale coordinated surveys/schemes, provide information on species distribution, abundance trends, migration timing, and breeding success. This data is important to identify conservation priorities and inform effective conservation action plans and strategies. By engaging individuals and communities in monitoring efforts, we not only gather scientific data but also build a deeper connection to nature, raise awareness about the challenges migratory birds face, and inspire direct conservation action.

This theme will particularly resonate as it coincides with and will leverage promotional materials and visibility from a significant shorebird count happening in 2026, showcasing real-world application of monitoring efforts. It will also highlight other programs that involve the public and benefit bird conservation.

World Mirgratory Bird Day Events in Wisconsin

Madison: 12-4 p.m., Sunday, April 26, Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr. Bird & Nature Festival is free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day. See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays. Featured Speaker: WSO Executive Director Alicia King on community science and citizen engagement.

Prairie du Chien: Saturday, May 2, World Migratory Bird Day 90-minute bird walks at La Riviere Park at 8 a.m. and at Effigy Mounds National Monument at 10 a.m. Each location includes a variety of bird habitats.

Horicon Marsh: Thursday-Sunday, May 8-10, annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival; https://horiconmarshbirdclub.com/bird-festival/

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge and Village of Trempealeau: 8 a.m. to Noon, Saturday, May 9, WMBD Festival

Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park Zoo: 1-4 p.m., Saturday, May 9; celebrate migration of nearly 350 species from wintering sites to summer nesting sites. Learn about birds and bird conservation through fun activities and games.

Madison: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Picnic Point; join King and radio personality Laura Erickson for a free family-friendly bird walk; register at https://wso.wildapricot.org/event-6529873

Madison: Friday-Sunday May 15-17, WSO Annual Convention, where each field trip will contribute bird counts to eBird and a session on Saturday will share Honey Creek Nature Preserve bird counts through the years.

Honey Creek Nature Preserve: Saturday, May 30, annual Birdathon/Bandathon field day and fundraiser will focus on banding and counting birds to help with land management planning.

Port Washington: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 30, Lake Michigan Bird Observatory, which hosts Bird City Wisconsin as one of its pillar programs, will hold its native plant sale and WMBD celebration in Picnic Area 6 at Upper Lake Park.

To see events nationwide and globally, or for more information about WMBD, visit the World Migratory Bird Day website. WMBD is observed on the second Saturday in May in North America. Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean observe WMBD on the second Saturday of October.