Recently, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has welcomed a large number of wintering migratory birds. They inhabit and forage in the wetlands and reservoirs next to the desert, enjoying the gifts of nature to the fullest.

Photo shows flocks of wild ducks forage in the wetlands in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ababakri)

From a distance, flocks of migratory birds soar above the rice fields, presenting a spectacular scene against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds. Chen Wenjie is a bird-watching enthusiast. Every year during this season, he travels to every place where migratory birds may appear. Early in the morning, he brought his bird-watching equipment to a reservoir in Moyu County and began observing the migration of migratory birds this year.

"In recent years, the number of migratory bird populations has been continuously increasing. Just yesterday, I saw the first appearance of the demoiselle cranes. When observing the types and numbers of birds, we also provided relevant experts with relevant evidence," said Chen Wenjie.

Photo shows bird-watching enthusiast Chen Wenjie observes migratory birds in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ababakri)

For over a decade, Chen Wenjie has frequently recorded the frequency and quantity of different types of migratory birds, and provided many photos and video materials for relevant departments. These precious materials also provide valuable references for experts to record the migration routes, habitat choices, and behavioral habits of migratory birds. Now he can not only quickly analyze the type and habits of birds from their appearance, but also distinguish them through their sound.

"Look at this footprint, it indicates that there are a particularly large number of wild geese and ducks. In Hotan Prefecture, there came a demoiselle crane that had never been seen before, followed by three anser albifrons and over 100 bean geese. The largest number are the mallards and gray geese, both exceeding 2,000." Chen Wenjie told reporters.

In recent years, Hotan Prefecture has continuously increased its efforts in environmental protection. Through measures such as sand prevention and control, afforestation, water pollution prevention and control, and wetland ecological restoration, the number and population of migratory birds wintering in Hotan Prefecture have been increasing every year.

"When I came to work in Hotan Prefecture in 2000, I couldn't see any migratory birds wintering in Hotan. After years of intensified ecological protection efforts, more than 200 species of migratory birds have now come to Hotan Prefecture to overwinter, especially Mandarin ducks and flamingos, which also appear in wetland park in Hotan Prefecture," said He Zongrong, a fourth level researcher at the Forestry and Grass Bureau of Hotan Prefecture.

(The Convergence Media Center of Hotan Prefecture, Reporter Ababakri)