Bird Consrvation Nepal (BCN) marked the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2014 by organizing Birdathon (bird race) at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park on 10 May 2014. This year’s theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2014 was” Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism” which highlighted the links between migratory birds conservation, local community development and wildlife watching tourism around the world. WMBD was celebrated in over 70 countries on 10-11 May 2014 by organizing events which included bird festival, education programmes, birdwatching trips and film screening.

Forty participants including students, journalists, and members of BCN participated in the bird race. Around 55 birds were recorded in the race. Some of the summer visitor birds recorded was Large Hawk Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo, Blue throated Flycatcher and Eurasian Golden Oriole. Mr. Rajendra Suwal, Senior Bird Expert judged the bird race and the prizes were distributed by Assistant Warden of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Mr Narayan Rupakehti and Senior Journalist, Ms Krishna Tamrakar.

Pokhara BCN chapter also celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2014 in Pokhara by organizing awareness programs on migratory birds in different communities and schools of Pokhara. Both the events in Kathmandu and Pokhara were very effective in raising awareness on migratory birds and conservation of birds and its habitat.