Explore Top Nature Reserves as Winter Birdwatching Lands in China’s Chongqing

Chongqing- The season for watching migratory birdlife has come around once again. In recent years, the improved ecological environment has attracted varieties numbering as high as 300 to pass through Chongqing Municipality in southwestern China every year.

The latest data shows there are currently 91 species of nationally protected birds in Chongqing, including the Chinese merganser and pochard. For all migratory bird lovers out there, here are some of the top scenic spots for viewing them in Chongqing and the protection measures which have made this a reality.

Tianxian Lake: Admire the graceful dance of mergansers

On a cold December day at Tianxian Lake Park in Wanzhou District, Chinese merganser swims on the lake surface as it forages leisurely in search of food. Later, four magpie ducks splash up the water as they playfully chase each other. These rare visitors from afar have warmed the feelings of Wanzhou citizens while several photographers watch on from a distance to capture this picture of ecological serenity with their lenses.

Wanzhou District has insisted on green development with a strong focus on protecting the ecological environment, the Yangtze River waterways, and improved water quality for the region. As a result, the environment has continuously improved, and ever more migratory birds stop over in Wanzhou during their migratory journeys.

Guangyang Isle: Migratory birdlife warms the heart

Guangyang Isle has welcomed numerous flocks of migratory feathered friends, which serve to further complement the beautiful landscape of this wetland park. Blue skies, puffy white clouds, sparkling waters, and gentle sunlight provide an idyllic backdrop to the fluttering birds and bring warmth to the hearts of local people.

In order to protect biodiversity, Guangyang Isle has been divided into three distinct ecological areas – mountainous forests, level fields, and wetlands with sloped banks. Following the ecological restoration for this isle once earmarked for mass real estate development, Guangyang now attracts all kinds of birdlife who "vote with their feet." So far, 214 species of birds have thrived in this scenic location.

Yangtze River: Serene Jiangjin provides an ideal stopover

The section of the Yangtze River near Zhiping Town in Jiangjin District currently offers the most untouched natural wetlands in Chongqing, and the rich food sources and unspoiled habitat attract more than 20 species of rare birds, such as grebes, egrets, herons, and Chinese mergansers

In recent years, Jiangjin District has consolidated systems of responsibility to strictly implement the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River and its tributaries, while regular wildlife patrols have continuously strengthened the presence of wildlife. The sound ecological environment has made the Zhiping section the ideal stopping ground for eagles and a base for replenishing aquatic life.

Shuanggui Lake: Birdlife nests over winter in droves

Come winter, Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park in Liangping District brims with vitality. According to observations, a record high of more than 8,000 migratory birds have stopped here on their migratory journeys. In order to ensure they have ideal living conditions, the Wetland Conservation Center has continuously strengthened measures to protect birdlife habitats. This has been achieved through the expansion of no-entry zones so that birdlife can remain undisturbed, while aquatic plantlife has been meticulously safeguarded to ensure migratory birds have adequate sources of food.

Hanfeng Lake: Idyllic backdrop perfect for birdlife

Winter is the optimal bird-watching season at Hanfeng Lake National Wetland Park in Kaizhou District, where all kinds of water birds appear together as they search for food, stretch out their wings, or find branches to roost upon in a harmonious picture of natural ecology.

Kaizhou District has implemented a series of environmental projects inside the wetland park, which has formed an ecological landscape of willows blowing gently in the spring air, mandarin ducks frolicking on the water in summer, forest reflections on the water for boaters in autumn, and birds resting on the lakesides to a mountain backdrop in winter. This has provided an ideal habitat for wildlife and wintering migratory birds in Hanfeng Lake with plentiful food resources.

Monitoring statistics have shown there are currently 227 species of wild terrestrial vertebrates and 608 species of vascular plants at Hanfeng Lake. Among these, there are more than 20 species of migratory geese and ducks that spend the winter here, mainly represented by crested pochard. The wildlife population has remained stable here for seven years, and bird numbers reach tens of thousands during peak season.