Recently, flocks of black-faced spoonbills have appeared in Haifeng Wetland, Shanwei City, Guangdong Province. Thus far, more than 100 black-faced spoonbills have been recorded in this nature reserve in 2023.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
The black-faced spoonbill is a species of wading bird with a long, flat, and spoon-shaped bill. It is China's first-level protected animal. Due to its graceful posture, it is also known as the "black-faced angel" or "black-faced dancer."
According to the staff at Haifeng Wetland, they have observed groups of black-faced spoonbills foraging in the wetland many times since October, and the number of birds has exceeded 100.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
The black-faced spoonbills were first spotted on March 2, 2004, in Haifeng Bird Provincial Nature Reserve with a population of 27 birds. In 2023, 423 black-faced spoonbills were recorded, of which 8 were wearing ring signals on their feet, setting a record for the highest number of black-faced spoonbills in Haifeng since 2004.
As the cold air sweeps across China, migratory birds gradually arrive in Guangdong after flying over numerous hills and streams. In October, the Nansha Wetland in Guangzhou welcomed great egrets, herons, grass herons, spoon-billed ducks, and other birds. In mid-October, the first batch of water pheasants appeared in Zhuhai Hengqin Erjingwan Wetland Park. In November, Huizhou welcomed different species of migratory birds, including two cygnets. These rare birds are deeply loved by local residents and photography enthusiasts.
In recent years, Guangdong has promulgated measures to protect migratory birds, prevent and severely crack down on the illegal hunting and selling of wildlife, and build ecological corridors for waterfowl in the Pearl River Delta. A complete network for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats has been formed, according to the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province.
The population of wild birds in Guangdong is growing. So far, 584 species of wild birds have been recorded, including 136 national-level key-protected bird species and 107 provincial-level key-protected species.
Reporter: Ariel
Editor: Nan, Will, James
