2022 World Migratory Bird Day Celebrations in Aceh, Indonesia

Group photo of Bird Watching Activity Participants ©️ Aceh Bird Club

Aceh Bird Club celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2022 with a series of events that were carried out offline and online. The Aceh Bird Club also collaborated with the Himpunan Mahasiswa Biologi (HIMABIO) with the aim that more and more young people care about migratory birds and their habitats. The series of events started on 16 – 22 May 2022, over 100 students, the public, bird watchers and lecturers participated in the campaign activities, including poster design competition, short video competition, seminar, and bird watching.

Closing Ceremony of the Seminar ©️ Aceh Bird Club

The first activities were a poster design competition and a short video competition to introduce the younger generation to the impact of light pollution on migratory birds and the small steps that can be taken to save birds and their habitats. This competition was held from 16 – 22 May 2022 which was conducted online, namely by registering on the online form provided by the committee and given time to submit the results of the painting. The winner was announced on 22 May 2022 via Instagram. The best works that become winners received prizes in the form of cash and certificates. The assessment was taken from the number of likes on Instagram and the judge’s score. The winners with the best posters were:

The winners of the Best Poster Design Competition ©️ Aceh Bird Club

1st Place ©Cut Naura Fahira Rahmi	2nd Place ©Ulfa Salsabila
3rd Place ©Aqlima	Favorite Winner ©Mawadah

The winners with the Best Short Videos ©️ Aceh Bird Club

The winner with the best short videos:

1^st Winner: Mawadah (link)

2^nd Winner: Sandi Ginting (link)

3^rd Winner: Aqlima (link)

The next activity was the 2022 WMBD seminar which was held on 21 May 2022 at the Auditorium FKIP Syiah Kuala University, with over 100 participants from various backgrounds. This seminar was led by 3 presenters, Dr, Abdullah M. Si from the Universiry of Syiah Kuala, Tedi Wahyudi from Kelompok Studi Lingkungan Hidup, and Yuri Gagarin M.Pd from Research Center for Elephant Conservation and Forest Biodiversity, who are experts in their fields. Speakers presented on the “Basics of Animal Conservation,” “Types of Migratory Birds in Aceh and their Threats,” and “Research Funding Opportunities” respectively. The purpose of this seminar was to educate students, college students, the public, and bird lovers, so that we are aware of how to maintain the habitat of migratory birds to maintain its sustainability. Participants were very enthusiastic about listening to the material given by the lecturer, as well as asking questions to the presenters. Participants with the best questions were also given souvenir clothes and all participants were given e-certificates.

Presenters with gifts ©️ Aceh Bird Club

Best Seminar Participants ©️ Aceh Bird Club

The last activity of the series was field observations which were carried out in Gampong Pande which is the location for the migration of migratory birds, this activity was carried out on 22 May 2022 from 06.30-10.00 WIB. Students and members of local communities who were active around the observation location participated. The participants were very enthusiastic to watch birds. In addition to bird watching, the participants also learned bird watching techniques from speakers who are experts in their fields. The observations were made to coincide with the spring migratory season, when the migratory birds are already heading to their breeding grounds. From the field trip, people could see Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, and Lesser Sandplover, etc.

All activities carried out aim to provide education to the public so that they love and care more about nature. Event publications are published in the university’s online media, as well as published in several other online media. so that it can be read by the general public who do not know about migratory birds.

Article prepared by Aceh Bird Club.

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