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Bird Day included in North Dakota Century Code

John James Audubon

North Dakota has its very own Bird Day. Darned if it isn’t included in the Century Code, 1-03-08:

“To promote and encourage the conservation and enjoyment of one of nature’s most attractive features, and to honor the birth and work of naturalist John James Audubon who made America’s birds known to the world through his drawings and vivid prose, April twenty-sixth of each year is hereby designated as “Bird Day” in the state of North Dakota.”

The recognition of Bird Day, House Bill 1319, was passed into state law in 1975. Included among the co-sponsors of the bill was Oscar Solberg of Rolla and Karnes Johnson of Sentinel Butte. North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger finds the Bird Day designation a fascinating and somewhat forgotten bit of legislative history.

“I’m just a guy that gets caught up in some things unique,” said Jaeger. “It’s really kind of neat looking at the legislative journal from when it became law.”

Minot’s delegation at the State Legislature were unanimous in their approval of Bird Day legislation. Minoters voting “yea” in the House were Art Ekblad, Brynhild Haugland, Marge Kermott, James Peterson, Roy Rued, Michael Timm, Janet Wentz and Gary Bye. Hal Christensen, Chester Reiten, Rolland Redlin and Jerome Walsh, all Minot, voted “yea” when the roll call was sounded in the Senate.

Jaeger says he is not a serious bird watcher, but is a long-time resident who has acquired an appreciation for the North Dakota outdoors.

“A sound that I really, really, really miss is driving out in the country and hearing the meadowlarks. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard one,” said Jaeger.

While songbirds have been on the decline for several years, Bird Days have not. World Migratory Bird Day is May 9. National Bird Day is Jan. 5 of each year and USA Bird Day is May 4. USA Bird Day is an old observance. It was established in 1894.

North Dakota’s Bird Day, as included in the Century Code, coincides with the birth date of well known naturalist John James Audubon. Audubon was born in Haiti, on April 26, 1785, moved to the United States in 1803, and died in New York in 1851. His paintings and observations of birds are considered among history’s most notable studies of birds in their natural habitat.

The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge near Coleharbor and Lake Audubon, a portion of which is included in the refuge, were both named in honor of John James Audubon.

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