Avian guardian: More birds, better 'Dongting Landscape'

As temperatures drop, the first group of winter migratory birds from Siberia and northern China have started to arrive at the wetlands of Dongting Lake in central China's Hunan Province. This year, East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve staff spotted the early arrival of a bird under first-class state protection in China, the black stork.

Song Yucheng, deputy director of Hunan East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve Administration, said: "Last week, we monitored more than 30 black storks. Typically, you would only see black storks during the peak of winter, and not in large numbers. Being able to observe them early in the migratory bird survey indicates that the conservation efforts at Dongting Lake have been effective in recent years, gradually improving the environment and attracting more migratory birds."

According to the latest data from the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve Administration, over 30,000 winter migratory birds have been monitored in the waters of Caisang Lake (a lake located in the reserve), including more than 10 species of state-protected birds. Most of these flocks are dominated by geese and ducks. As the weather gradually gets colder, sandpipers will continue to arrive here. The staff at the reserve mentioned that among the early arrivals are birds such as the black storks, the Eurasian spoonbills under second-class state protection, whooper swans and cranes, to name a few only.

This year, the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve Administration constructed 3 kilometers of new ecological embankments and reinforced 3.5 kilometers of the same, built four water control gates, and replanted water grass to restore 258.13 hectares of wetlands. They also implemented a series of measures such as building water retention facilities and restoring submerged vegetation to expand the habitat for migratory birds and improve overall water storage capacity.

Experts note that the water levels in the wetlands are currently normal. In about 20 days, sandpipers that enjoy feeding on snails in the mudflats will arrive. The reserve will, based on actual conditions, scientifically manage water levels to expand mudflat areas, allowing various bird species to safely spend the winter here.

It is estimated that the number of winter migratory birds will exceed 300,000 this year.

(Cover image via CFP)