Common cranes stop at Manas National Wetland Park on migration route

The current period coincides with the migratory season, and Manas National Wetland Park in Manas County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has welcomed large numbers of common cranes, a species under second-class national protection in China. The cranes stop at the wetland to forage and replenish their energy reserves, building up sufficient physical condition for the next stage of their long-distance migration.

In the shallow-water areas of the wetland park, flocks of common cranes can be seen gathering together. Some lower their heads to feed on aquatic vegetation and insects, while others stand quietly in the shallows preening their feathers, or spread their wings and circle above the wetland, adding vitality to the wetland in autumn. The clean water, abundant food resources, and secure habitat provide the principal conditions that attract these cranes to rest and regain energy during migration.

Zhang Jiankun, director of the Manas National Wetland Park Administration, said, "According to preliminary monitoring, the number of common cranes in the park has approached 3,000. Common cranes prefer to inhabit shallow-water areas, so we cleared and managed surrounding weeds and reeds to create a safe and suitable habitat for the cranes. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen patrols and management throughout the park, provide timely rescue to injured cranes, and rigorously implement bird conservation measures, so as to ensure that various species of waterbirds can inhabit and breed safely and undisturbed within the wetland park."

Manas National Wetland Park lies on the third global migratory bird flyway and serves as an important "energy supply station" for birds during migration. Every spring and autumn, large numbers of migratory birds stop at the wetland to rest and regain energy. At present, common cranes have already entered an early peak period of migration. In the coming weeks, various other migratory bird species are expected to arrive successively at the wetland park, when the wetland will present a spectacular ecological scene of tens of thousands of birds taking flight across the landscape.

(The Media Convergence Center of Manas County, Reporter: Warisjan, Correspondents: Zhang Yuqing and Zhou Huimin)