Migratory birds gather at Jijiahu Lake

By Yan Wanqin

Efforts to improve the ecological environment have significantly increased the number and variety of migratory birds around Jijiahu Lake.

Flocks of birds were spotted at Jijiahu Wetland Park in Dangyang on November 23, including more than 100 cormorants and various migratory species, such as Siberian cranes, greylag geese, and tufted ducks.

Additionally, Jijiahu Lake has welcomed back migratory tundra swans, a national second-level protected species, for their sixth consecutive winter here.

Located along the middle and lower reaches of the Juhe River in Dangyang, Jijiahu Lake was once developed into fishponds and its environment deteriorating. Since 2019, local authorities have invested more than 400 million yuan (US$56 million) in systematic ecological restoration. The 2,340-mu (156 hectare) lake has been transformed into a hospitable habitat.

The number of forest and water birds has increased from just over 70 three years ago to more than 200 today, with over 60 percent under national key protection.

In a significant indication of ecological improvement, four rare white cranes, a national first-class protected species, were spotted for the first time at Jijiahu Lake.

Zhang Kai contributed to this story.