Over 60,000 birds have found refuge in the Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve in Hebei Province, northern China, according to recent reports from local authorities.
During the 2023-2024 water bird monitoring operations, reserve staff identified 70 different bird species within the expansive wetlands of Hengshui Lake, as highlighted by Zhang Yuguang, a representative of the reserve.
The diverse avian population includes several species under first-class national protection, such as the Baer's pochards and great bustards. Notably, the great bustard, a cautious species, was observed in the reserve for the first time since 2021.
An Chunlin, an expert with the Hebei Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, emphasized that despite experiencing an unusually cold winter, the reserve continues to provide a conducive habitat with abundant food sources for the wintering birds.
\"The survey results reflect significant improvements in the reserve's ecological environment and our ongoing achievements in ecological protection,\" An added.
Hengshui Lake, situated in Hengshui City, boasts the largest single water surface on the North China Plain. The reserve features a complete wetland ecosystem, including swamps, waters, mudflats, meadows, and woodlands, making it an essential stopover and wintering site for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
To date, reserve staff have observed and recorded 334 bird species, underscoring Hengshui Lake's critical role in supporting biodiversity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
