Thousands of migratory birds have added color and liveliness to a nature reserve near Hengshui City, north China's Hebei Province.

Located at the intersection of various migration routes, Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve provides an excellent habitat and access to food for the traveling birds.

The birds will restart their journey north in early March, while resident birds will start laying eggs in late March.

As the reserve's environment improves, more and more migratory birds are choosing it as a transit point.

So far, a total of 324 different bird species have been spotted at the lake, including eight species under China's first-class protection, and 49 that are under the second-class protection. 

(Cover image via VCG)

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