As the temperature gradually warms up, more than 10 species of migratory birds have started to arrive at the Qilihai Wetland from the south, marking the beginning of this spring's migration.
Migratory birds rest on the water surface.
On the shimmering surface of the Qilihai Wetland, more than 20 elegant swans are gracefully swimming. Many rare birds, such as the black-headed gull, wild ducks, and white-naped cranes, are play and chirp on the side or leisurely forage.
In the sky, early returning migratory birds such as the oriental white Stork, geese and herons soar with outstretched wings, creating a magnificent spectacle of thousands of birds gathering, showing the boundless vitality of the spring day at Qilihai.
Migratory birds fly over the Qilihai Wetland.
"The first group of around 200 oriental white storks, a national first-level protected animal, already arrived at Qilihai around the 10th of the month. There are also about a hundred swans and over 700 grey herons wintering at Qilihai. The number of geese and wild ducks can reach around 17,000 to 18,000," said Han Kewu, a staff member of the Qilihai Wetland Management Committee.
Qilihai Wetland is the only national-level nature reserve in China where ancient coastline and wetlands coexist in the same area, and it is an important hub on the "East Asia to Australasia Migratory Bird Flyway".
In recent years, Tianjin's Ninghe district has vigorously promoted the protection and restoration of Qilihai Wetland, leading to continuous improvement in the natural environment of the area.
Each year, over a million migratory birds pass through here. To welcome these distant "guests", the Qilihai Wetland Management Committee has significantly expanded its monitoring and patrol efforts. With the aid of advanced monitoring equipment and unmanned aerial vehicle inspection systems, it monitors the types, numbers, and habitats of migratory birds in real time to ensure that the transiting birds have a safe and comfortable habitat.
"Until April, the number of migratory birds passing through Qilihai can exceed 250,000. Subsequently, a large number of oriental white storks are expected to arrive, and some species of gulls and sandpipers will also gradually fly here. Qilihai can ensure the food supply for migratory birds," said Han.