Statement by Ms Narelle Montgomery on World Migratory Bird Day 2024

It is my pleasure to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day October 2024. I would like to both commemorate the ecological and intrinsic value of the world’s many migratory species of birds and raise awareness of the conservation challenges we must help them overcome.

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”, to recognise the importance of insects to migratory bird species. Insects, and arthropods more widely, provide valuable sustenance to migratory birds. They are also key in supporting the health and vitality of ecosystems that migratory species inhabit. Insects’ roles on the planet often go unrecognised, but they are the unsung heroes of our environment. Unfortunately, many of our insect species are declining in abundance and biomass. This is a critical concern if we are to continue to protect and conserve not only migratory birds, but all species.

I would like to applaud CMS for acting on the matter of insect decline and producing the report, Insect Decline and Its Threat to Migratory Insectivorous Animal Populations. I hope that CMS continues to support efforts to monitor insect decline and provide guidance on how to mitigate impacts to migratory birds.

There are many human drivers of insect decline such as deforestation, global warming and pollution. I hope CMS and its World Migratory Bird Day partners — African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership and Environment for the Americas — can continue to collaborate amongst international partners to mitigate the many anthropogenic impacts to insects. For example, CMS and Australia have worked diligently to create guidance to mitigate the impacts of light pollution. Light pollution can impact migratory birds directly by preventing juveniles from undertaking their first flight, but also indirectly by increasing insect mortality and reducing insect abundance.

Australia will continue to make every effort to support the resilience of migratory birds where we are able, working closely with our international partners through CMS and domestically.  Australia will also continue to support work that helps conserve insects and their contribution to migratory birds, including through the management and mitigation of light pollution.

Yours sincerely, 

Narelle Montgomery