Hundreds of Oriental White Storks, which are a class 1 national protection animal, have recently been spotted feeding and roosting in Poyang Lake, reaching a new high for the number of Oriental White Storks migrating in the lake's Duchang water area.

More than 80 percent of the Oriental White Storks in the world spend winter in Poyang Lake every year. With the temperature decreasing gradually, a large number of rare migratory birds fly to Poyang Lake from the Inner Mongolia steppe, the Northeast swamp and the Siberian wilderness one after another, and a new wave of bird migration is coming.

Staff at the Nanshan Station in Jiangxi Poyang Lake Nanji Wetland Reserve say because the water level in the lake area is lower this year, it is suitable for the Oriental White Stork to roost and feed. In addition, due to the implementation of a fishing ban in Poyang Lake for 10 years, there are more fish in the lake which provides more food sources for the stork.

Duchang County, Jiujiang City in Jiangxi Province has taken many measures to protect the wetland and migratory birds resources in the Poyang Lake area, such as ecological water replenishment, releasing water, reserving rice fields and strengthening management and protection to ensure the safe wintering of rare migratory birds.

(Image via VCG)

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