The second Poyang Lake International Birdwatching Week opened on Saturday in Jiangxi Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, east China's Jiangxi Province.

The event aims to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting wetlands and migratory birds. The birdwatching week scheduled from Saturday to Monday has attracted both domestic and overseas bird lovers for the anticipated spectacular sceneries.

As of November 28, more than 637,000 wintering migratory birds had arrived in Poyang Lake. Of the 28 species, seven have been placed under national first-class protected species and six given national second-class protected species. After years of ecological restoration, more and more migratory birds arrive at Poyang Lake wetland during the winter months. This year, Poyang Lake is expected to have more than 700,000 wintering birds during the week, officials said at a press conference held in Jiangxi's Shangrao City on December 8.

Home to hundreds of thousands of birds, Poyang Lake not only serves as a natural reserve but is also regarded as a habitat of international significance.

On Wednesday, China's Nature Reserve Management Bureau and Russia's Kytalyk National Park signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect white cranes, with both sides agreeing to enhance future cooperation.

As two stops on the crane migration route, Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, is an important wintering ground for white cranes. Kytalyk National Park is an important breeding ground for cranes.

Ecological restoration, food availability and protection measures are key factors for the successful reproduction and survival of white cranes and other wetland waterbirds.

The nature reserve and Russia's Kytalyk National Park will work together to strengthen the protection and monitoring of white cranes, share monitoring data, and conduct publicity and education on wetlands and birds.

 (Images via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)