Hidden World of Birds in City: Moments to remember

Download

Editor's note: "Hidden World of Birds in City" is about exploring a world of birds that usually goes unnoticed in urban spaces. This episode features photographs from Wang Xiaobo, who has been bird-watching near his residential community in Beijing for the past eight years.

The busiest time for migratory birds, from the end of March to the end of May, has concluded. 104 species of birds have been recorded this year, and seven new species were added on the list, making the total spotted bird varieties to 199. Among these recorded species, six are under first-class state protection and 29 are under second-class, most of them were observed flying past or posed for a brief stay in the community. Here is part of the collection of some of this year's best moments.

A perched plain laughingthrush. This is the third time the species has been observed in Wang's neighborhood during the past eight years.

Even better news about the plain laughingthrush is a couple of this bird have decided to stay and nest in the community this year, which is rare for the laughingthrush normally only stays for a short break here in the community.

Wang said that it was the first time for him to see such a large number of Mongolian gulls in the area, even though the species is not a rare guest.

A black-winged stilt made a rare appearance in early April, which is also the second time for Wang to see in this community.

Barn and red-rumped swallows are busy picking up mud and grass from the pond bank to build their nests.

A little grebe was trying to chase away a common teal as the teal invaded the grebe's territory.

A vinous-throated parrotbill standing on a sprouting branch.

Common pheasant.

Yellow-throated bunting.

Bird migration reached a new peak on May 11 as Wang observed a record high of 625 birds of prey, including 601 eagles, flying across his community from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wang said this is the most magnificent scene he has seen since 2018.