Yichang puts in additional effort to ensure migrant birds enjoy winter
2024-11-09 20:11:07
Journalist: Wan Longyun
Translator and Editor: Tan Maolin
Hubei Province has recently confirmed six migratory bird routes across the province, along with identifying 58 key areas to protect them during their migration. Two routes cross Yichang, which also hosts five protection areas. The number of migratory birds over the winter is often a direct reflection of the environment’s health.
Translator and Editor: Tan Maolin
Hubei Province has recently confirmed six migratory bird routes across the province, along with identifying 58 key areas to protect them during their migration. Two routes cross Yichang, which also hosts five protection areas. The number of migratory birds over the winter is often a direct reflection of the environment’s health.
Migratory birds in Guanzhou Island, Zhijiang. (Photo by Liu Kang)
Globally, there are nine pathways for bird migration, four of which cross through China. Three migration zones have been confirmed in China, with Hubei belonging to the central zone.
Many Yichang people have been working hard to protect the birds along these routes. On October 26, Wang Xiangming, head of the resource protection division at the Wanchaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve Management Center in Xingshan County, went on a bird observation patrol with his assistant Li Yuan. They continuously submit reports to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration - a practice that has been upheld for many years.
Wang Xiangming and Li Yuan on their daily birdwatching patrol in the Wanchaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve, Xingshan. (Photo by Wan Longyun)
At an elevation of 1,670 meters, Tudiya Peak is an ideal observation point within the reserve. Wangyueping, a flat area between two mountains, attracts several birds. Observers have noted Rufous-necked Scimitar Babblers hiding in thickets, and Grey-capped Greenfinch perched on power lines. As many as 13 birds have been spotted at the same time.
Peng Gangzhi is the head of the scientific monitoring team at Dalaoling Nature Reserve which is more than 100 kilometers away from Wanchaoshan Nature Reserve. His team has set up collision nets in the forest to capture migratory birds which are then brought back to a banding station for measurement and marking.
In 2009, Dalaoling established Hubei's first bird banding station, where a thin steel ring with a unique number is attached to a bird's leg. When a banded bird enters another banding area, animal experts then identify the bird and its previous location to draw its migration route and estimate the speed.
Bird banding remains crucial for understanding migratory patterns. Over the past 15 years at Dalaoling, ornithologists have banded a total of 5,628 birds - a modest number compared to the vast populations observed during migration seasons.
Dalaoling is recognized as a premier birdwatching destination. Located along the East Asia-Australasia migratory pathway, it is part of Hubei's six designated routes for mountain raptors and songbirds.
As November approaches, Zeng Linghong, head of the conservation management department at Yuan’an Juhe National Wetland Park, awaits the arrival of the Chinese Merganser.
This initiative aligns with another significant migratory route - the Wetland Waterfowl Migration Route in Western Hubei - which resembles a large "3" on the map. This route begins in Shaanxi Province and connects various wetlands in Hubei before extending into Hunan.
Each migratory route serves as a link between breeding grounds and wintering habitats. Bie Zhaorong, director of Wanchaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve Management Center, said that a healthy ecological environment supports a diverse array of wildlife, including the 228 bird species observed in the area. Notable migratory species include the Crested Honey Buzzard and Eastern Buzzard.
Migratory birds often have to deal with several challenges including hunger, adverse weather conditions, and human interference.
To make their journey easier, the local government has planted more than 1,200 fruit trees during the ecological restoration project along Longtan River - a tributary of Juhe River. These serve as crucial food sources for the birds. Last winter, local authorities provided grains and fish fry in critical areas to ensure adequate nourishment for wintering birds.
With favorable conditions and abundant food supplies, some Chinese Mergansers have opted not to migrate further southward. "During our winter waterbird survey in 2023, we found 99 Chinese Mergansers remaining in Juhe River until they finally migrated north in April of this year," Zeng said. To accommodate for these birds, the restoration work along Juhe River was temporarily halted for four months.
Birdwatching enthusiasts across Yichang have reported increased sightings of migratory species. On October 22, 2022, birdwatcher Lei Jiping captured images of the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting in an urban rice field.
In Jinhu Wetland in Zhijiang, water chestnuts and other floating plants are cultivated to create suitable nesting environments for various waterfowl species. Liang Huini, deputy director of Jinhu National Wetland Park Management Office, said that the office has been working on making new designs and developing the local aquatic vegetation ecosystem.
In 2009, Dalaoling established Hubei's first bird banding station, where a thin steel ring with a unique number is attached to a bird's leg. When a banded bird enters another banding area, animal experts then identify the bird and its previous location to draw its migration route and estimate the speed.
Bird banding remains crucial for understanding migratory patterns. Over the past 15 years at Dalaoling, ornithologists have banded a total of 5,628 birds - a modest number compared to the vast populations observed during migration seasons.
Dalaoling is recognized as a premier birdwatching destination. Located along the East Asia-Australasia migratory pathway, it is part of Hubei's six designated routes for mountain raptors and songbirds.
As November approaches, Zeng Linghong, head of the conservation management department at Yuan’an Juhe National Wetland Park, awaits the arrival of the Chinese Merganser.
Chinese Mergansers in Juhe River, Zhijiang. (Photo by Han Dexian)
This initiative aligns with another significant migratory route - the Wetland Waterfowl Migration Route in Western Hubei - which resembles a large "3" on the map. This route begins in Shaanxi Province and connects various wetlands in Hubei before extending into Hunan.
Each migratory route serves as a link between breeding grounds and wintering habitats. Bie Zhaorong, director of Wanchaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve Management Center, said that a healthy ecological environment supports a diverse array of wildlife, including the 228 bird species observed in the area. Notable migratory species include the Crested Honey Buzzard and Eastern Buzzard.
Migratory birds often have to deal with several challenges including hunger, adverse weather conditions, and human interference.
To make their journey easier, the local government has planted more than 1,200 fruit trees during the ecological restoration project along Longtan River - a tributary of Juhe River. These serve as crucial food sources for the birds. Last winter, local authorities provided grains and fish fry in critical areas to ensure adequate nourishment for wintering birds.
With favorable conditions and abundant food supplies, some Chinese Mergansers have opted not to migrate further southward. "During our winter waterbird survey in 2023, we found 99 Chinese Mergansers remaining in Juhe River until they finally migrated north in April of this year," Zeng said. To accommodate for these birds, the restoration work along Juhe River was temporarily halted for four months.
Birdwatching enthusiasts across Yichang have reported increased sightings of migratory species. On October 22, 2022, birdwatcher Lei Jiping captured images of the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting in an urban rice field.
Juanqiaohe Wetland park. (Photo by Huang Xiang)
In Jinhu Wetland in Zhijiang, water chestnuts and other floating plants are cultivated to create suitable nesting environments for various waterfowl species. Liang Huini, deputy director of Jinhu National Wetland Park Management Office, said that the office has been working on making new designs and developing the local aquatic vegetation ecosystem.
