Press releases

MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – Crested lark has been declared the Bird of the Year 2017 in Belarus, APB BirdLife Belarus non-government organization posted on its website.

The Bird of the Year 2017 will be featured on posters in the subway and, by tradition, graffitied on the wall of one of the houses in Minsk. The National Bank of Belarus and the Belpochta mail service are planning to release coins and postage stamps depicting the bird of the year. Cities and towns will organize tours “In search of the Bird of the Year”. Flower beds and parks where crested lark dwells will have signs “Attention! The Bird of the Year!” Little Belarusians will have an opportunity to take part in the drawing contest of posters “Let’s save crested lark!”. A nationwide contest Bird Art will be organized in Belarus on 5 June, the World Environment Day.

“The Bird of the Year campaign has something for everyone. It will include creative contests, educational event, and nature conservation activities. Each of these events is important in its own way. Only together we can help crested lark survive and eventually increase its populations to a safe level,” coordinator of the APB Bird of the Year campaign Karina Solovei said.

The bird is on the Red Book List of Endangered Species in Belarus. Crested Lark is one of the four species of lark that live in the country: Eurasian skylark, woodlark, and horned lark that come to Belarus to winter from the north.

APB BirdLife Belarus launched the Bird of the Year national campaign in 2000. Its main goal is to raise public awareness of the beauty of nature and the birds living around us, the need for their conservation. Events are held throughout the year to provide an opportunity to a large number of people to participate in creative competitions and in environmental activities.