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5 Things You Can Do For Birds Today

This year is the year — and today is the day.

2018 has been designated the “Year of the Bird,” with a goal of bringing attention to the needs and threats facing wild birds. And today, the second Saturday in May, is “World Migratory Bird Day.”

It is also the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — landmark federal legislation that has provided crucial protections to hundreds of species of birds.

If there were ever a day to take action on behalf of birds, this is it. Here are five easy-but-important ways you can show your support for birds and Maine’s wildlife:

1. Sign our petition to Congress
We will soon be delivering a letter to Maine’s Congressional delegation asking them to protect the Migratory Bird Treaty Act from recent attacks. Add your name to our letter and make the message more powerful.

2. Pledge a Bird-a-thon Team
Next weekend, on May 19th, teams of birders will spend 24 hours traveling around the state to see how many different species of birds they can find in this friendly annual competition. You can pledge one of our teams today.

3. Go on a bird walk
This week, join me at Evergreen Cemetery (Monday-Thursday) or Capisic Pond (Friday) for our free “Warbler Walks.” I’m also leading an evening walk at Kennebunk Plains listening for Eastern Whip-poor-wills on Wednesday and hosting a “Birding By Ear” workshop on Thursday night.

4. Contribute sightings to the Maine Bird Atlas
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has launched the “Maine Bird Atlas” this year to learn more about the distribution of Maine’s breeding birds. You can help! Have you seen a phoebe building a nest on your porch? Or a robin carrying nesting material? Let us know!

5. Donate to Maine Audubon
Thanks to your memberships and contributions, we are able to make every year a “Year of the Bird.” Your support helps us protect Piping Plovers, improve road crossing for terrestrial animals, educate the next generation of wildlife stewards, and advocate for wildlife-friendly public policies.

At Maine Audubon, we work all year, every year to connect you with Maine’s natural environment. Thank you for being part of a community of people who understand that when Maine’s wildlife thrives, Maine thrives.