In Shenzhen, birdwatching is a truly satisfying activity. From egrets to black-faced spoonbills, a rich variety of birds can be spotted throughout the city. Now, it's not just about seeing the birds, but also about hearing them. Birds' chirps have become a part of the city's daily rhythm.
(Photo: Shenzhen Fabu)
Mr. Wang, a resident of Lianhuabei Village, is often woken up around 6 a.m. by the cheerful chirping of birds outside his window. "The birds have become my alarm clock," he said with a laugh.
This "natural alarm clock" has become a delightful "problem" for many people in Shenzhen. According to data from natural sound monitoring stations in the city, birdsong is now the second largest natural sound source in Shenzhen, making up 21.7% of the soundscape.
(Photo: Shenzhen Special Zone Daily)
Shenzhen's unique landscape, with mountains, sea, and numerous parks and greenways, provides an ideal ecological environment for birds, making it an important stopover point for migratory species. Recent statistics show that Shenzhen is home to 431 species of birds, accounting for nearly 30% of all bird species in China. In February of this year, Shenzhen also released the guidelines for bird-friendly urban planning and design (draft for public comments), becoming the first city in China to provide practical solutions for building a biodiversity-friendly city.
(Photo: Shenzhen Special Zone Daily)
Additionally, the city's urban development usually incorporates thoughtful details to benefit plants and animals. For instance, ecological corridor bridges allow traffic to flow uninterrupted beneath while providing safe passage for animals above; the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base planning includes three aerial corridors specifically designed for migratory birds; and the glass curtain walls of Tencent Seafront Towers were fitted with films to prevent bird collisions.
Ecological corridor bridge (Photo: Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Futian District)
The Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base planning includes three aerial corridors specifically designed for migratory birds. (Photo: Housing and Construction Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality)
The glass curtain walls of Tencent Seafront Towers were fitted with films to prevent bird collisions. (Photo: Tencent)
Author: Holly
Editor: Will, James
