See the 'magical' trees that serve as a winter 'owl hotel'

Download

Our contributing birdwatchers discovered three "magical" trees in east China that have attracted some special residents: over 10 long-eared owls.

Long-eared owl No. 1. /Fang Qiaoran

Fang Qiaoran was in Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province, earlier this month to photograph some migratory cranes that stopped by the wetland there, when stories about a "magical tree of long-eared owls" caught her attention. She decided to travel there to see the "magic" for herself.

At first glance, the three ordinary-looking trees in a small yard left her unimpressed, then the hidden dwellers popped into her camera frame one after another. One, two, three ... 14 altogether!

The experienced birdwatcher, who knows how hard it is to photograph a single nocturnal bird, suddenly realized how the trees earned their nickname. It then became a feast for her camera.

She later learned that the trees have served as an "owl hotel" every winter for over 10 years. One time, over 100 long-eared owls were spotted standing in the trees. What a view that would be, Fang thought to herself.

She has yet to figure out why these trees are so attractive for the owls, but she hopes the owl hotel will keep its doors open for years to come.