The Yellow River Estuary in Dongying City, located in east China's Shandong Province, serves as a key habitat for migratory birds along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf coast. This nature reserve is dedicated to protecting the newly formed wetland ecosystem at the mouth of the river and safeguarding rare and endangered bird species.

Thanks to years of protection and improvement, the area is renowned as both the "Oriental White Stork Capital" and the "Black-headed Gull Capital" of China. It has also become a significant wintering ground for the globally important red-crested crane.

Recent monitoring data shows that the reserve now supports over 370 bird species. Dongying has successfully completed numerous restoration projects that have significantly improved both the benthic and avian habitats. These efforts provide essential food sources and resting places for migratory birds, bolstering international conservation efforts.

The number of rare and endangered bird species continues to rise each year. During the spring and autumn migration seasons, millions of birds flock, forage, and rest here, making it an important stopover, wintering site, and breeding ground for birds migrating through Northeast Asia and the West Pacific. Experts around the world have dubbed it the "international airport for birds."