Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Zhao Mei, Correspondent Yang Changle) news: Entering late September, the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has welcomed migratory birds heading south. Flocks of grey cranes, cormorants, wild ducks, and others can be seen either frolicking and foraging in the wetlands or soaring high in the sky, their calls echoing in a symphony, presenting a vibrant ecological scene of a myriad of birds gathering together.

The Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve is situated at a crucial node along migration routes of migrant birds. In recent years, with the improvement of the ecological environment, a large number of migratory birds pass through here during the spring and autumn seasons each year.

"From the end of August to date, while observing the migration of birds in the Jinghe area of the reserve, we have recorded thousands of grey cranes, ruddy shelducks, cormorants, gulls, black-winged stilts, greylag geese, and other migratory birds," said Tian Xiangdong, an ecological volunteer at the reserve. A few days ago, he also observed seven white pelicans here. "At the moment, migratory birds are arriving one after another, and it is expected that from the end of this month to early October, the reserve will see a peak in bird migration."

Gao Wenjia, head of the Jinghe section management station of the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve, introduced that the white pelican is a rare large waterbird that is under national first-class protection. They have high requirements for their living environment, needing a good ecological environment and sufficient food to attract them to nest and forage. "In the past four years, the reserve has welcomed several to dozens of white pelicans to roost and forage every autumn."

Since the implementation of the water system connectivity project by the Administration of the Ebinur Lake National Nature Reserve in 2022, more than 1,333.33 hectares of wetlands at the Jinghe section have been restored, providing a good habitat for migratory birds. Every autumn, with the increase of water into the lake, the population of migratory birds such as grey cranes, wild ducks, cormorants, and greylag geese can reach more than ten thousand.

"We will continue to increase efforts to protect migratory birds, deepen communication and cooperation with various research institutes, and jointly create a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature," said Shabierjiang Shadike, director of the Administration of the Ebinur Lake National Nature Reserve.

Photo shows seven white pelicans observed by ecological volunteers in the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tian Xiangdong)

Photo shows flocks of grey cranes soar over the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tian Xiangdong)

Photo shows grey cranes roost and forage in the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tian Xiangdong)

Photo shows migratory birds roost and forage in the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tian Xiangdong)

Photo shows black-winged stilts roost and forage in the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tian Xiangdong)

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