Among the many snow-capped peaks of Yulong Snow Mountain and the tranquil waters of Lashi Lake in Lijiang, Yunnan province, migratory birds flock to feed and play as they overwinter within the heat of Southwest China.
The annual avian rendezvous in Lijiang started once more final month at Lashihai Plateau Wetland Nature Reserve, a scenic spot dubbed a “paradise for migratory birds “the place greater than 100,000 birds are noticed yearly.
The 6,523-hectare reserve hosts greater than 238 sorts of birds, together with nice crested grebes, Eurasian coots, red-fronted coots, mallards, black storks and cranes. Thirty-six species are below nationwide first- and second-class safety, in response to the reserve”s administration and safety bureau.
He Xiaoka, an knowledgeable from the bureau, mentioned a part of the rationale the reserve attracts so many birds is that it gives a great residing setting with its various panorama of lakes, rivers, marshes, farmland, forest and meadows, the place the birds discover it straightforward to relaxation, feed and shelter from hazard.
“It has various aquatic vegetation and fish to supply enough meals sources. Due to the increase in tourism, native folks have larger incomes, so their consciousness of defending the birds has been raised,” she mentioned.
“After years of environmental safety efforts by the federal government and residents, the variety of migratory birds is rising yearly.”
The migratory birds arrive in mid-October and go away from late March to mid-April. Some spend the entire winter there whereas others relaxation for a number of days after which proceed to fly south, in response to He.
A lot of the birds come from Qinghai province, Mongolia and Siberia. In recent times, one or two new sorts of birds have been noticed yearly, she mentioned.
The reserve, which lies at about 2,400 meters above sea stage, was included on the Record of Wetlands of Worldwide Significance in 2004.
It gives safety for the plateau wetland ecosystem, wetland birds and their habitats.
It’s house to 329 animal species and 566 species of vegetation, together with 150 wetland vegetation, making it one of the biodiverse wetland areas in Yunnan. It additionally gives water assets to Lijiang’s city areas.
The migratory birds entice numerous vacationers to the reserve in winter and spring.
Nonetheless, to cut back the impression of human exercise, guests will not be allowed to enter the core areas and they’re inspired to watch the birds at a distance with binoculars and cameras, He mentioned.
Zhang Suju is considered one of 25 native folks employed to patrol the reserve. “My work is to information vacationers to watch the birds in an appropriate approach and stop misconduct that will disturb the birds,” mentioned the 43-year-old, who has labored on the reserve for about 20 years.
“Up to now, the setting was not excellent, so there weren’t many migratory birds. I’ve seen numerous adjustments prior to now many years.”
Zhang added that the variety of migratory birds has risen from about 20,000 in 1998, when the reserve was established, to 100,000 in recent times.
Along with endeavor patrol work, the reserve prohibits fishing and aquatic leisure actions, undertakes the detection and prevention of infectious ailments associated to migratory birds, and builds wetland restoration areas to enlarge their habitats as a part of efforts to guard birds and nature, in response to the reserve administration.
“The wetland gives habitats for quite a few creatures. It purifies and conserves water, produces meals and is carefully linked to our lives. We must always shield the wetland like we shield our eyes,” He mentioned.
