Photo shows flocks of egrets play leisurely in Tarim River in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by correspondent Hou Xianwei)

In early winter, the Tarim River, the longest inland river in China, welcomes a large number of migratory birds that come to spend the winter. On the sparkling river, the deep red Polygonum amphibium reflects the poplar trees. The flocks of migratory birds either soar on the water, or perch on the branches and look into the distance. From a distance, the magnificent winter scenery is like a painting.

Photo shows a large number of black cormorants perch under the Populus euphratica trees in Tarim River in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by correspondent Kang Xingping)

On November 17, in the Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest Park in Luntai County, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, the Tarim River, sparkling in the sun, rippled in layers. The Polygonum amphibium in the river channel presented a deep red color under the action of temperature. From a distance, it looked like a red sea of flowers. In the Populus euphratica forest where the yellow leaves had fallen, flocks of egrets stood gracefully on the shoals, their white wings reflecting soft light in the sun, or flapped their wings and flew low, skimming over the water and drawing out fine ripples. The black cormorants rested in a line under the Populus euphratica trees, their black feathers contrasting with the golden fallen leaves. They sometimes hovered, sometimes swooped, and sometimes played in groups. The cormorants' agile and flexible figures added a different kind of vitality to the quiet winter.

Photo shows migratory birds rest on the branches in Tarim River in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by correspondent Kang Xingping)

The Tarim River is the longest inland river in China, with a basin area of 1.02 million square kilometers. Large areas of primitive Populus euphratica forest are distributed on both sides of the river channel in the middle and lower reaches of the basin. The total area of the forest area is more than 1 million hectares, which is an important ecological barrier for the oasis. Since 2000, the Tarim River has completed 26 ecological water transfers. With the continuous improvement of the ecological environment, the wild animal population has been significantly restored, and more and more migratory birds choose to overwinter and inhabit here. Today, the Populus euphratica forest and wetlands along the Tarim River are not only a green barrier to prevent the expansion of the desert, but also an important supply station on the migratory bird migration channel.

(The Media Convergence Center of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Reporter: Liu Yushan, Correspondents: Hou Xianwei and Kang Xingping)