TIANSHANNET   ›   News   ›   Xinjiang News

Many wetlands in southern Xinjiang become paradises for migratory birds

Shiliyun- Xinjiang Daily (Correspondent: Zhao Mei) news: In winter, flocks of swans and wild ducks play and forage in lakes, wetlands and farmlands in southern Xinjiang. Gray cranes and greylags sometimes fly in line, and sometimes walk leisurely in wetlands and farmland. The lake, wetland, sky, snow and migratory birds enhance each other’s beauty, showing a unique scene in winter.

Photo shows a large number of wild ducks inhabit around Yingairike Reservoir in Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Chen Wenjie)

On February 2, 2023, many wild ducks inhabit around Yingairike Reservoir in Hotan County. And two aquila heliacas were waiting for the opportunity to prey. Chen Wenjie, a bird-watcher, told reporters: "Aquila heliaca is under first-class national protection, and is rarely seen in Hotan Prefecture. In recent years, as the number of wild ducks increases, they can be seen here every winter." This year, the variety of migratory birds coming to the reservoir for overwintering has increased to more than 30.

Photo shows flocks of grey cranes fly over the wetland around Nanping Reservoir in Moyu County, Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Chen Wenjie)

With the improvement of the ecological environment in Hotan Prefecture, the number of migratory birds in local reservoirs and wetlands has increased significantly, especially wild ducks, gray cranes, greylags, bean geese and other birds.

Photo shows a great flock of grey cranes inhabit around the Nanping Reservoir in Moyu County, Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Chen Wenjie)

On February 2, 2023, flocks of wild ducks, cormorants, great black-headed gulls played in the water or hovered in the sky in Alar wetland near Alar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang. “In particular, the number of wild duck species has increased to nearly 10, and the number of wild ducks is significantly higher than what it was a few years ago," Ma Guangyi, a bird-watcher said.

Photo taken on February 2, 2023 shows flocks of wild ducks and cormorants play in the water in Alar wetland near Alar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Sun Qiang)

More than 10 days ago, four barnacle geese which are rare from the Arctic appeared in the wetland of Muzat River Basin in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang, attracting many bird-watchers to take photos," Ma Guangyi said. The wetland of Muzat River Basin is located in the northern edge of the Tarim Basin. Due to the suitable climate, the food around the wetland is relatively rich. More than ten species of migratory birds, such as gray cranes, bean geese and white-fronted geese, have overwintered here for many years.

Photo taken on February 2, 2023 shows there are nearly ten species of wild ducks inhabiting in the Alar wetland near Alar City, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Sun Qiang)

The scenery of swans playing and foraging in Kongque River of Korla City, northwest China’s Xinjiang has become the unique landscape of Korla City. Every winter, hundreds of swans come here to play and forage, attracting people to watch and take photos.

Photo shows flocks of gray cranes and bean geese inhabit around the wetland of Muzat River Basin in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Ma Guangyi)

“Swans have overwintered here for more than 10 years. At first, there were only a few or a dozen swans, but in recent years, there have been more than 400 swans,” Min Gensang, head of the Business Section of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Management in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang, said that in recent years, in order to attract swans, the government has organized people to take turns to stand guard and patrol. In winter, when the river is frozen, people will break the ice to ensure that swans can overwinter safely.

Photo shows a variety of water birds inhabit around the wetland of Muzat River Basin in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. (Photo by Du Xinmin)

(A written permission shall be obtained for reprinting, excerpting, copying and mirroring of the contents published on this website. Unauthorized aforementioned act shall be deemed an infringement, of which the actor shall be held accountable under the law.)