In Sihong County in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu Province, a vivid portrait of harmony between humans and nature is taking shape. Recently, a family of rare Oriental storks – a first-class nationally protected species – was spotted nesting atop a high-voltage transmission pole. In a heartwarming scene, the adult storks were seen carefully feeding their three growing chicks.
Since 2022, Oriental storks have chosen the county as their nesting grounds for four consecutive years, raising a total of 21 offspring. Behind this success lies sustained ecological protection efforts.
In recent years, local initiatives such as wetland restoration and pollution control have significantly enhanced biodiversity. Increasing numbers of rare bird species have now made the area their permanent home – a transformation from migratory stopover to year-round habitat.