China News Network Jixi, March 21 (Wang Nina) "The Xingkai Lake area has the best rest and foraging water for geese and ducks. Compared with other places, the migratory birds here appear earlier than elsewhere." 21 Li Xiaomin, a professor at the College of Wildlife and Natural Reserves of Northeast Forestry University, said today.
This year, the overall temperature in Heilongjiang was warmer than in previous years, and the first batch of "migrating north" migrant birds was earlier than the previous year by about a week. On March 9, more than 900 migratory birds were observed. Among them, the wetland of Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve (hereinafter referred to as "protected area") is connected with the wetlands in Russia and is an internationally important wetland. Large groups of migratory birds have now inhabited it.
Thousands of ducks can be seen in the reserve. Photo by Lu Zhongxin
"When I photographed migratory birds today, I saw tens of thousands of grey geese flying in the sky, thousands of mallard ducks perched on the snow, and saw red-crowned cranes foraging by the water, as well as golden eagles, herons, and great egrets. Etc. "said Lu Zhongxin, a local photography enthusiast in Mishan.
The reserve is located in the core area of the "East Asia-Australia" migratory bird migration route. It is the most important habitat and breeding ground for migratory birds in East Asia. It comes from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Bohai Bay, Taiwan, the Japanese archipelago, and North Korea. Overwintering migratory birds such as the peninsula have moved here to the north. As the temperature gradually rises, some migratory birds will cross the border and fly to Russia for summer.
Mallard perched on snow photo by Lu Zhongxin
According to observations of migratory birds in previous years, the Xingkai Lake area is a favorite habitat for migratory birds. When there are only a few migratory birds in other areas, a large swarm of migratory birds has already appeared in the Xingkai Lake area.
Xingkai Lake is located in Mishan, the largest body of water in Northeast Asia and the largest boundary lake between China and Russia. "Due to the lake water pressure, when the other regions of Heilongjiang Province are still ice-cold in early February, a large area of thawing will appear at the Songacha estuary in the Xingkai Lake region, providing a safe water environment for bird foraging and habitat. . "Li Xiaomin said.
Tens of thousands of wild geese flying in the air
According to the staff of the protected area, there are at least tens of millions of migratory birds crossing the border in Heilongjiang Province each year, and about one million crossing the Xingkai Lake area. At the end of March, there will be a peak of "migration to the north" of cranes. In early April, cranes will build their homes here and breed their populations. (Finish)