Light pollution is the central theme of World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated this October 8.

World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on May 14 and October 8 in 2022 to raise awareness of the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats.

This celebration has a global scope and is a very effective tool to help raise awareness about the existence of threats facing migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

Why light pollution?

Artificial light is increasing worldwide and negatively affects many bird species, causing disorientation when flying at night, collisions with buildings, and interferes with their ability to undertake long-distance migrations.

The solutions to light pollution are easy to implement, and the call this day is to dim the lights of buildings during migration phases, among others.

Migratory birds in the Magallanes Region

In the Magallanes region, at least 217 species of birds are known to be recorded and many of them are found at Parque Bahía Esperanza. Some of them are:

Chilean Swallow: Migrates north as winter approaches, reaching central Bolivia, Paraguay, and southeastern Brazil.

Black-necked Swan: In Chile is located between the Atacama region and the Magallanes region. In winter it migrates north, being more abundant in Paraguay, southern Bolivia, and Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná in Brazil.

Gaviota Cáhuil: between the region of Arica and Parinacota and the region of Magallanes. In winter, the southern populations migrate north, reaching the coast of southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, northern Chile, and occasionally the coast of Peru and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.

Diucon: the southernmost population is completely migratory; the species is present throughout most of its range throughout the year, but northward only during austral winters, from Coquimbo to south of Antofagasta in northern Chile.

Migratory birds play a very important role in the ecosystem. Among their main functions on biological diversity are seed dispersal, crop pest control, and plant pollination.

We are waiting for you at Parque Bahía Esperanza to meet these and other birds that inhabit the area. More information at www.parquebahiaesperanza.com