BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- With binoculars in hand and a camera with a long-focus lens over his shoulder, Fang Chun travels about 17 km every day around a wetland, observing migratory birds and recording their names and species.
As a bird observer and protector, the 53-year-old man has repeated this routine work for the past 15 years at the Beijing Wild Duck Lake Wetland, the largest wetland nature reserve in the Chinese national capital. Covering an area of 6,873 hectares, the wetland has become a key habitat for migratory birds in northern China.
"Observing migratory birds can be important as it helps keep track of their health conditions and evaluate the ecological performance of the wetland as well," Fang said ahead of the World Migratory Bird Day which falls on Saturday.
To identify bird species, the former physical education teacher started off with the help of related books and numerous pictures and sometimes turned to professionals with photos of certain birds he had taken.
Over time, he has become an "expert" on migratory birds, able to discern their species even at a glance from afar.
"Look! Over there are two spot-billed ducks, four egrets and a black-winged stilt," he said while wandering around the lake.
Thanks to the improved environment, as many as 348 species of migratory birds have been spotted at the reserve, of which 11 are under China's top protection.
"So far this year, the wetland has seen a total of 246 migratory swans and over 200 nests with newly hatched herons," said Fang. "I am so excited to see a growing number of birds stop there for breeding, nesting and rearing young."
Year-round observation, however, is not easy.
Spring and autumn are the busiest times of the year for Fang. He always leads a group of young colleagues to observe birds and teaches them how to identify different species.
In summer, the observers have to confront enormous swarms of mosquitoes, while in winter, they always brave the freezing cold walking amid withered plants to provide corn and sorghum for birds and save injured and sick ones.
In 2012, the wetland was hit by a snowstorm on a winter day, and the snow depth reached over 70 cm.
"My colleagues and I managed to make our way to the habitat of cranes and get them fed," he recalled. "Severe weather could pose challenges for migratory birds. We must do all we can to help them get through."
Fang's love for the birds defies any challenge.
"Whenever I see birds coming back to this place, I just could not be happier," said Fang, adding that he also feels a sense of comfort as the birds' stay at the reserve means his hard work and effort have paid off.
Fang hopes more people can take good care of the environment and birds. "With more birds coming to rest, the environment will get better, which will ultimately benefit human beings," he said. Enditem
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May 09, 2020 at 03:36PM
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