Rare migratory birds have been spotted in the natural wetlands of the Chinese mainland, serving as crucial stopovers and wintering grounds for these species.
Among them, black-necked cranes—a species under national first-class protection—begin their southward winter migration from northwest China's Qinghai Province in mid to late October each year.
An extensive wetland on the border of Wulan and Gonghe counties in Qinghai provides an ideal environment for these cranes to stop, forage, and rest during their migration. Once well-fed, the cranes continue their journey southward.
According to the provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the population of black-necked cranes in Qinghai has risen to over 2,600, marking an increase of more than 1,400 over the past decade.
In Jiangsu Province on the eastern side of the Chinese mainland, various rare migratory birds, including the oriental white stork and the Eurasian spoonbill, have been observed at their wintering grounds in a coastal wetland in Lianyungang City.
Situated along the East Asian-Australasian flyway, this 233,000-hectare wetland boasts abundant natural and ecological resources, making it an ideal winter habitat for birds. In recent years, local authorities have intensified their efforts in ecological restoration of coastal wetlands, successfully attracting a large number of migratory birds to the area.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
