International Bird Day 2026. Where there are birds, there is water

When birds disappear, it often turns out that water disappears from the area as well. This is a relationship we are increasingly observing in the Polish landscape. Celebrated on April 1, International Bird Day is a good moment to ask what their presence (or absence) says about the state of our water resources.

International Bird Day, or a spring confrontation with reality

It is no coincidence that the International Bird Day established by the UN falls on April 1. Spring is precisely the time for our feathered friends that determines their future – will they manage to find a partner for the new breeding season? Will there be enough food for a successful brood? Will they find a suitable nesting site and a stable habitat that allows them to raise their young?

Spring also reveals who survived the harsh winter and who returned from distant journeys. Every year, bird populations fluctuate depending on dozens of factors – the most important include temperature and the availability of water and food. Unfortunately, human activity increasingly affects the spring breeding season as well: noise, land use changes, and even hunting and deliberate disturbance.

Why are birds disappearing? It is the effect of water shortages

International Bird Day 2026 coincides with warnings from hydrologists: spring in Poland is exceptionally dry, and water levels in many rivers and wetlands are declining. This deficit will be felt particularly by waterfowl, species associated with wet meadows, and migratory birds that rest in marshes and lakes.

According to data from OTOP, the populations of many species in Poland are steadily declining, and this process particularly affects birds associated with agricultural landscapes and wetland habitats. And it is hardly surprising. As Professor Wiktor Kotowski said in an interview: Poland leads the ranking of wetland degradation – we have already drained 85 percent of them.

Water retention and the presence of birds in the landscape

Retaining water and protecting its resources is not only the best strategy against droughts and floods, but also an important gesture toward birds, especially species dependent on aquatic environments – and there are surprisingly many of them.

In the Beka nature reserve, in the Reda proglacial valley, OTOP is fighting to preserve the common redshank – its population has declined by 60 percent since the 1980s. This noble wader species needs meadows with standing water for breeding. Similar conditions favor lapwings and plovers, whose numbers have decreased dramatically over the past two decades. Meanwhile, in wet areas along the Biebrza, Noteć, Odra, and Warta rivers, the Eurasian curlew has its habitats – a species listed on the Polish Red List that already requires active protection. These are just a few examples of birds that cannot build nests and reproduce without water.

It is no wonder that wetland birds are important bioindicators – observing them allows scientists to assess the sustainability of water resources, water quality, and the level of eutrophication. When it becomes quiet, it is usually dry. And vice versa.

The dunlin, which lives in wetlands, already has the status of an extinct species in Poland. However, there is still hope, as shown by the example of the aquatic warbler – a small reed warbler whose population has increased thanks to the restoration of peatlands and floodplains carried out under the LIFE program and with active support from farmers.

Small-scale retention also means the return of birds

It is not worth assuming that the initiative lies solely with strategists and authorities. For birds, every source of water matters – a pond, a puddle, a small lake, or a garden water feature. All species need to drink, and many also use water for bathing. Water also attracts amphibians and insects, which are an important part of birds’ diet. Such water support is especially important in concrete-heavy cities and during periods of drought and heat.

Investing in small-scale retention means not only a lusher garden and lower water bills, but also cheerful chirping outside your window. Who knows, perhaps one day a tired traveler from distant lands will stop by your pond, silently blessing the wise person who took care of water.

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main photo: terski/Pixabay