Four news bird species found in central China's Dongting Lake

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Dongting, the second-largest freshwater lake in China, has welcomed a great number of migrantory birds coming from Siberia and northern China for wintering. This year, four new species have been recorded by the Eastern Dongting Lake Nature Reserve Administration – Dendrocitta Formosae, Pericrocotus Flammeus, Pericrocotus Solaris and Eophona Personata.

Pericrocotus Solaris. /VCG Photo

An investigation conducted in early 2018 showed that migration rose by 20 percent from last year, with over 226,000 birds spending the winter in this wonderland. Gao Dali, the deputy director of the Eastern Dongting Lake Nature Reserve Administration, said more and more birds are spotted in the area as the local ecological environment is being improved, with continuous efforts being made to protect the migration.

Swans are seen in an ecology remediation demonstration area in Dongting Lake area, central China's Hunan Province. /Xinhua Photo

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have been based at Dongting Lake wetland since 2009 for such seasonal efforts as collecting soil samples in spring, testing lake water in summer, investigating plants in autumn and observing migratory birds in winter. The scientific researchers have been praised as the doctors of Dongting in providing better environmental protection and biological diversity.

Geng Mingming (L), a scientific staff member, takes a sample of lake water in the Dongting Lake area. /Xinhua Photo

Dongting Lake, in Hunan Province, is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in China as well as the world.

Here are some other watching wonderlands in China for bird lovers:

Jiaozhou Bay Wetland, Shandong, E China

An egret searches for food in Jiaozhou Bay, east China's Shandong Province. /VCG Photo

Jiaozhou Bay is a famous inlet of the Yellow Sea with abundant fish and nutrition. Every year, a great number of migratory birds gather in Jiaozhou Bay Wetland for foraging and resting. It is a significant station for migratory birds in the Asian-Pacific region.

Yancheng Coastal Wetlands, Jiangsu, E China

Flamingos land on the water. /VCG Photo

The Yancheng Coastal Wetlands in eastern Jiangsu Province is the largest coastal wetlands nature reserve in China. The best time to watch birds in Yancheng is from the end of October to the early April, where you can find 381 species of birds. And it's the home to red-crowned cranes.

Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, E China

Kenaf ducks take off at Duchang Wetland, Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, east China. /VCG Photo

Poyang Lake, in eastern Jiangxi Province, is the largest freshwater lake in China, and bird lovers should not miss this hotspot for winter birding. It is the world's largest gathering place for white cranes and swans in winter. The best time to watch birds is from November to March.

Caohai Nature Reserve, Guizhou, SW China

Black-necked cranes fly to the Caohai, Guizhou Province, southwest China. /VCG Photo

The black-necked crane, the only plateau crane worldwide, pass their winter time in the lovely wetland in southwestern China. Every year there are more than 100,000 migrant birds of over 300 species. The best watching time is from January to March.

Yunnan Province, SW China

Residents feed red-billed gulls in Dianchi, Kunming, SW China. /VCG Photo

Yunnan Province located in the southwest of China has dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views. It not only attracts a lot of tourists every year but also many birds. The winter in Yunnan is warm and humid, which makes it the best place for many birds to spend their winter. There are many places for birding such as Dianchi Lake in the provincial capital Kunming, Nianhu Lake in Huize County and Lashi Lake close to Lijiang. The best time to watch and, of course, feed the birds is from November and March.