More than 2,000 white cranes returning to Siberia stopped over at the Zhenlai County reserve to eat and rest for about a month. They will set off for their destination in May, leaving their fledglings to grow on the wetland. In order to protect the area, the local government has taken protective measures, including regulating the water level. The China Wildlife Conservation Association organized volunteers to aid locals in bird conservation while they're there. One way whereby they help is by spreading corn where migratory birds are likely to stay.