It is not necessary to calculate the date of Bird Day in 2024, the date is fixed, it never changes, neither in the world. It falls in the middle of spring - April 1, coincides with the period when migratory species return from the south to their native lands. The holiday is not of the state level, the day off is not allocated and the transfer is not made. Despite this, there are some established traditions of holding it.
History and meaning of the holiday
The day is dedicated to the problems of birds, their gradual extinction, illegal hunting and deliberate extermination of certain species. All of them, without exception, are important participants in the ecosystem, even their partial disappearance can cause a serious and irreversible natural disaster.This international holiday has been given the status of ecological.
Initially, the holiday originated in the USA on April 1, 1894, after which it quickly spread throughout Europe. In the spring of 1902, the "International Convention for the Protection of Birds Useful in Agriculture" appeared, it was adopted by more than 10 major countries. Later, in 1950, the previous document was replaced by the Parisian one (under the previous name), in which absolutely all types were already identified.
Now the Day of Birds is held in most developed countries of the world as International within the framework of the universal UNESCO program "Man and the Biosphere" .
In the Russian Federation, the idea to promote the reproduction and conservation of birds originated in the Orthodox Empire (the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible). Toward the end of the 19th century, more than 30 organizations were doing this. Children were involved in an important matter, May unions were created on the basis of schools to protect and study them. Schoolchildren, as a distinctive sign, were attached to their caps, hats and sailors with a badge - a swallow in flight.In 1910, a middle school teacher Peter Buzuk founded the Community of Nature Conservators in the village of Khortytsya. Its young participants made, hung feeders and birdhouses, so the bird's nest became a symbol.
In the post-revolutionary time, only memories remained of the May Unions, but their main idea was adopted by the youth organizations. In 1924, at the summer All-Union Congress, it was proposed to re-establish the holiday, the initiator was Nikolai Dergunov (a teacher at the Central Biological Station). After 2 years, this date was already celebrated throughout the territory of the USSR as official.
During the Second World War they forgot about it, in 1948 the tradition returned, but not for long (until the end of the 60s). The holiday was finally recreated in the late 90s. The founder was the Union for the Protection of Birds founded many years ago. In 2000, the Moscow government joined the celebrations and adopted this day as a citywide event.
Celebration traditions
Every year, by this date, the founder chooses the “Bird of the Year”, who it will be in 2024 is still unknown, but the title will be awarded to a species or systematic group that is common in most of the Russian Federation and needs human help.Also on this day, various city organizations, museums, educational and security centers are preparing and holding:
- seminars;
- open lessons;
- exhibitions;
- subbotniks (cleaning of reservoirs and forest parks);
- lectures;
- conferences;
- hearing.
The main theme is environmental issues, declining bird populations. On this day, they also congratulate and celebrate the importance of environmentalists who work every day and make a serious contribution to solving the problems of birds.
Especially acute and pressing issues are raised through urban flash mobs and actions. Documentary, scientific and educational films, programs are broadcast on television, radio and social networks, mainly about rare and endangered species. Schoolchildren still observe the old traditions, in anticipation of the return of birds, they hang titmouses, birdhouses, eggplants, etc.e.
Solemn and public events are not held on the squares. But this does not prevent everyone who wants to become a participant in the celebration, to help make sure that as few species as possible are in the Red Book. You can leave a donation to bird protection funds, become a member of volunteer groups involved in protection and protection, hang feeders in gardens or parks. You can also remember the old tradition - bake spring larks, make paper cranes, give them to children.
Interesting facts
In the process of observing and studying certain species of birds, interesting features were revealed:
- Mine shaft warning systems are called "canaries" because they once helped miners find gas leaks, gave danger signals.
- Some species pollinate plants. But there is a more interesting fact - the seeds of certain varieties of flowers germinate only after passing through the digestive system of birds.
- The New Caledonian raven knows how to use and make simple tools for its food.
Bird Day is also an unofficial holiday for ornithologists. They know exactly what the birds need, what and how to do to protect them. Some publications and the public annually take the initiative to celebrate the professional holiday of ornithologists on the same day, perhaps soon they will be combined into one date. In the 2024 calendar, Bird Day falls on a Monday.
