China News Service, Jilin, March 22 (Reporter Shi Hongyu) On the 22nd, reporters learned from Huadian City, Jilin Province that the first batch of Chinese Mergansers arrived as scheduled this spring and were foraging in the red stone forest area. Animal protection experts predict that by mid-to-late May, a family group consisting of 70 to 80 members may all arrive.
The Chinese Merganser is a national first-level protected animal and is known as the "living fossil" of birds. Since the observation record was recorded in 2016, this rare bird has visited the red stone forest area for the eighth consecutive year.
"We have currently observed two females and three males." Jiang Rui, director of the Forest Resources and Environmental Protection Management Department of Jilin Forestry Group Hongshi Forestry Co., Ltd., said that Chinese mergansers, mandarin ducks, mallards, etc. live near the Hongshi Hydropower Station. We had a great time together.
Chinese Mergansers swim in the water. Photo courtesy of Hongshi Forestry Co., Ltd.
It is currently the migration season for migratory birds, and local animal protection staff continue to observe the activities and habitats of the birds. It is understood that after arriving in the forest area, the Chinese Merganser often dives into the water to catch fish and shrimp, and dozes and rests on the shore.
Jiang Rui introduced that Chinese Mergansers generally move around the Changbai Mountain area. After years of observation and recording, it has been basically confirmed that this family group has settled in the red stone forest area.
Since spring, Hongshi Forestry Co., Ltd. has organized multiple batches of animal protection staff to visit key observation areas such as Hongshi Hydropower Station, Baishan Hydropower Station, and Yanjiang Village Heron Habitat to monitor the migratory waterbird populations and habitat environment in the jurisdiction. As the weather gets warmer, the number of birds "settling" gradually increases.
It is understood that the red stone forest area has a total area of 300,000 hectares, with more than 1,300 species of plants and more than 350 species of wild animals. It is more than 300 kilometers away from the core area of bird habitats in Changbai Mountain and is one of the passages for bird migration. (over)