WHEN winter falls, thousands of migratory birds flock south to spend the season in warmer climes, and a wetland reclamation project on Chongming Island has created a perfect stopping place for many of them. Fei Lai discovers the avian wildlife thriving in the area since it was cleaned up.

For Qiu Zhonghong, the most amazing sight is a peaceful sunset scene featuring a large concentration of migratory birds playing with each other at Dongtan Wetland Park on Chongming Island, where he has worked for a decade.

Flocks of migrating cranes and geese have inspired poets since the earliest days of literature. But to experts like Qiu, they cannot understand better the multitude of threats that birds face during migration and the responsibility to create a sound habitat for the birds.

"Migratory birds are subject to numerous threats across their ranges. They may fall victim to hazardous weather, lack of food or water, or sometimes predators," Qiu says.

"On top of this, hundreds of millions of migrant birds might be trapped and shot every year in different countries. Wintering areas are subject to human alteration - wetlands are drained, converted for agriculture use or heavily used by tourists."

Regarding the wetland environment as "the kidney of the Earth," Qiu believes it is one of the most important natural assets to humans and a vital habitat for migratory birds.

"Wetland is an ecological system featuring biodiversity," Qiu says. "It can degrade pollution and purify water, which functions similarly to the human kidney."

As a result of his concerns, Qiu was among the first group of people who tried to convert the wetlands in Dongtan into a bird-friendly venue.

In 1998, Dongtan Wetland Park, situated at the very east of Chongming Island, was cultivated merely out of water. The 24-kilometer stretch of reclaimed wetland was once a patchwork of farms, ditches and ponds very vulnerable to pollution and consequently unattractive to migrating birds.

The reclamation project has now brought a new look to the park. Since 1997, about 312 bird species have been observed in the area.

Today, the park is highlighted by the highest density of migratory birds in Chongming.

"We try to offer the birds an undisturbed natural space to rest for a while," Qiu says.

With this in mind, it is not surprising that there are several strict rules to abide by at the park - no bright-colored clothes, no noise, no flash photography and no feeding.

As the person in charge of the park, Qiu's job has seen him make visits to national parks and wetland preservation sites in North America several times. He has also hired American wetland experts to be consultants for the Dongtan site.

"The park's renovation has combined America's experience with our local conditions. But it is not a copy," Qiu says. "To raise its scientific and educational value, we are planning a World Wetland Experience Area where visitors can see how advanced technology is applied to wetland to make it more ecologically friendly."

A winding plank walkway takes visitors through marshes and across the water, where they can enjoy the wetland on either side. There are man-made hills, lawns, waterfalls, streams and gardens including more than 13,000 trees.

The park has a culture plaza, space for sports, boating, horseback riding, entertainment and picnics.

Since it opened last May, the park has received 110,000 visitors.

The park also provides the chance for visitors to learn more about birds with a hall featuring 300 bird specimens.

"Our work in the next stage is to improve the park's species habitat suitability and study biodiversity conservation, wetland conservation and eco-system management," Qiu says.

"The park makes joint efforts with local universities to evaluate and study the wetland," Qiu says.

National natural reserve

Chongming Dongtan Birds National Nature Reserve neighbors Dongtan Wetland Park. As one of the largest nature reserves in East Asia, it is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River and is an important habitat for migratory birds.

Slightly different from the park, it is more intended for scientific research on migratory birds.

It was listed in the Chinese Protected Wetlands in 1992, and was designated as internationally important under the Ramsar Wetlands Convention in 2001.

By its very nature and location, the estuarine and coastal habitat is dynamic and boasts sound biodiversity conservation and management.

According to Ma Qiang, who has been working at the reserve since 2005, almost two million migratory birds have landed and rested here.

"Most species rest at the central protection area, about two to three kilometers away from dams where visitors are unable to reach," Ma says.

"It is hard for visitors to directly see migrant birds during the migrating seasons. However, we've established a science and education base where specimen are offered."

Ma went to work at the natural reserve after getting a master's degree majoring in biology at East China Normal University in 2005. He mainly deals with bird research and protection.

To classify a bird he needs to check its look, shape, behavior and how they sing. Ma says that some homework is required before distinguishing an endangered species, including reading historical documents to learn its habits, migrating period and favorite migrating sites.

Since "seeing is believing," Ma likes to work closer with the birds.

Ma regards his career working with migratory birds the natural choice after finishing his study. As a bird lover, he was disgusted by illegal bird hunting in some areas in Chongming.

"Some people hunt for money. Some hunt for the mere fun of hunting. It is blatant killing that makes me sick," Ma says.

"They need society and the government to guide them to the right path. Also, destroying the market for eating wild birds is essential in stopping bird-hunting."

"Flying Wishes" is a bird protection campaign at the reserve for people to learn about wetlands, water birds and the significance of environmental protection.

Participants who donate 300 yuan (US$45.50) can adopt a bird at the reserve. All proceeds are used to support the management of the natural reserve.