Migratory birds return to Xinjiang's wetlands

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Zhao Mei) news: Recently, as temperatures continue to climb, wetlands that have been quiet all winter—such as the Tarim River Wetland, Manas River Wetland, reservoirs near Urumqi, and the Gongliu County Wetland — have begun welcoming the season's first migratory birds returning from the south. Flocks of gray cranes, gray geese, pintails, and cormorants can be seen either foraging leisurely on the water or circling in the sky, their lively movements creating vibrant scenes of life against the backdrop of wetlands and snow.

Photo shows migratory birds that have arrived at Shuimogou Park in Urumqi. (Photo by Yang Feifei)

Ma Ming, a researcher at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains that Xinjiang sits between the Siberian bird breeding area and the wintering grounds on the Indian subcontinent in South Asia, and is closely connected to three of the four major migratory bird flyways in China. Each spring and autumn, around 300 species of migratory birds pass through Xinjiang, where they stop to rest and regain energy before continuing their journey.

Photo shows a large group of gray cranes search for food in the snow in Hutubi County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yang Yong)

In Xinjiang, the birds of the Tarim River Basin wetlands may be the first to sense the arrival of spring. In early March, along the Tarim River in Luntai County, hundreds of gray geese, mallards, and great egrets were swimming leisurely among the ancient poplar forests. Their calls rose and fell in turn, blending with the stillness of the trees and the flow of the river to form a moving "spring concerto."

Photo shows wetlands in Hutubi County have seen flocks of gray cranes, gray geese, pintails, and other birds. (Photo by Yang Yong)

Compared to the wetlands in the south, those in the north appear more vibrant, even carrying a hint of "romance."

At Manas National Wetland Park, the swans that wintered there are beginning their return trip in groups, while the first cormorants to arrive have eagerly started their courtship rituals. According to a park staff member, some cormorants are now busy gathering twigs with their beaks to build nests in the poplar trees around the wetland, carefully preparing their nesting sites for the upcoming breeding season.

Photo shows cormorants busy building their nests at Manas National Wetland Park in Manas County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhao Shanbin)

Meanwhile, in the wetlands of Hutubi County, birdwatching enthusiast Yang Yong noticed that despite a sudden heavy snowfall a few days ago that blanketed the grasslands, large flocks of gray cranes, gray geese, and pintails were still resting and feeding there, waiting to regain their energy before continuing north.

Photo shows a green-winged teal was spotted at Shuimogou Park in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yang Feifei)

In Urumqi, the return of migratory birds has brought a lively touch of spring to the city. On March 17, in the waterway at Shuimogou Park, flocks of mallards and black-headed gulls were swimming peacefully. A particularly striking green-winged teal became the "star" for photography enthusiasts. Its head and cheeks were a chestnut red, with a broad green stripe around its eyes that looked like an intricate "Peking Opera facial makeup." "This bird is very cautious and always keeps its distance from people, so getting a good shot of it is no easy task," said birdwatcher Yang Feifei. Though not a rare species, this duck draws many bird lovers who patiently wait for a chance to photograph it, drawn by its distinctive markings and colorful feathers.

Photo shows wetlands in Gongliu County welcomes thousands of migratory birds, including gray cranes and gray geese. (Photo provided by Gongliu County Media Convergence Center)

Deep inside the vast reed wetlands of Gongliu County, thousands of migratory birds such as gray cranes and gray geese were feeding. Their graceful forms, set against the reeds, the blue sky, and the distant Tianshan Mountains, created a scene as serene and evocative as an ink-wash painting.

Photo shows large groups of ruddy shelducks, pintails, and other birds gather in a lake in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Nurmanbay Jetmisbay)

　Migratory birds are not only harbingers of spring but also a "barometer" for changes in the ecological environment. According to the Forestry and Grassland Administration of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region learned that in recent years, Xinjiang has been steadily strengthening its efforts in ecological conservation and promoting environmental protection across the region. By issuing the chief forest chief directive to reinforce bird protection responsibilities, carrying out key ecological projects such as wetland restoration and habitat conservation, and stepping up efforts to protect bird habitats while cracking down on illegal hunting and trading, Xinjiang has made significant progress.

Through regular bird protection campaigns and public science outreach, a positive environment characterized by "region-wide bird protection and public involvement" has gradually taken shape. According to relevant monitoring data, both the number of migratory bird species and their populations in Xinjiang have shown a steady increase in recent years.

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