Shh! 'Bird shooters' are on the prowl
By Lu Feiran |
August 25, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THEY are called "bird shooters" in China, but they wouldn't harm a feather. Their shooting sidearm is a camera.
Bird photographers in Minhang District don't have the most ideal of environments for their favorite pastime, but there are a few pockets where observing and recording feathered friends in their natural habitats are possible.
Zou Xu has been a regular "bird shooter" for two years. The 30-year-old salesman said he has loved birds since he was very young. About five years ago, he started to learn photography, and birds became a natural focus of his lens.
Zou usually goes to the Minhang Sports Park, where birds sometimes show up around the lake. He usually uses his Nikon D90, with telephoto lenses of 30 to 70 millimeters or 175 to 500 millimeters.
"The best time for observing birds is 6-7am and 4-5pm," said Zou. "That's when birds usually leave or return to their nests during the day. Summer is the best season because the light is strong."
Rare species of birds are unusual in Minhang, but common species provide a lively scene for bird lovers. Egrets fly past boardwalks, kingfishers ply the waters for food and mynas crow from atop trees. These are enough to whet Zou's interest - and camera lens.
"Birds, especially wild birds, are easily scared," he said. "Thus, you need to be very quiet and careful when trying to get close to them. It's better if you wear camouflage clothing."
Zou said before he thinks about shooting, he spends a long time observing the birds and their surroundings, looking for the best light and the right angle.
Bird habitats
"Bird photographers need great patience in following a single bird," he said. "The camera needs to follow from certain distance for a long time, waiting for the bird to do something interesting, such as diving into water, hunting or playing with other birds. Waiting for two hours for a single picture is rather normal."
Zou said the best angle for shooting a bird is with front light, highlighting their vivid feather colors and shining eyes.
Minhang is home to at least 90 species of birds, some full-time residents and some seasonal. Among them are three national protected species and nine under Shanghai wildlife protection, according to Minhang forestry authorities.
The three national protected birds are the kestrel, the peregrine falcon and the buzzard. Herons are perhaps the most commonly seen birds in Minhang, officials said.
Birds gravitate to riverside forests in Wujing, Huacao and Maqiao towns, and to the Binjiang Forest Park in Wujing. Near 60 breeds of birds were found in the park, making it the biggest bird habitat in the district.
Birds can also be found in new parks, such as the Minhang Sports Park, and some residential areas with abundant greenery.
Officials said some breeds of birds, such as mynas, turtledoves and magpies, were rare in the past. They attribute the appearance of the birds to increased greenbelts and parklands. Water especially attracts many birds.
Birdwatching is a solitary sort of passion, but that doesn't mean it's a lonely pastime.
There are several birdwatching clubs in Shanghai for people to share their love of feathered creatures. The Wild Bird Society of Shanghai is one of the biggest. It organizes exchanges on "bird shooting" ideas and seminars on wild bird protection.
Where to watch in Shanghai
Dongtan Wetland in Chongming County
Birds can be found here throughout the year. Birdwatchers report seeing between 50 and 80 species in back-to-back viewing days.
East Wetland in the Nanhui area in Pudong New Area
The wetland is the first wildlife sanctuary in Shanghai. More than 200 breeds of birds have been spotted in the area.
Haiwan National Forest Park in the Fengxian District
Migrant birds are the main species found in the park. The birds vary from season to season.
Beihu Lake in Chongming County
This is a young bird observation resort. Water birds are the stars here.
Century Park in Pudong New Area
People can watch birds in the park all year, except for summer. About 20 to 40 birds can be spotted in just a few hours' watching.
Shanghai Botanical Garden in Xuhui District
Forest birds predominate here. Altogether, 83 species of birds have been spotted.
Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu District
This park is home mainly to forest birds that vary from season to season.
Tianma Hill in Songjiang District
This is one of the best places in Shanghai for watching birds of prey.
BaoSteel Reservoir in Baoshan District
The reservoir is the best place for birdwatching in winter. More than 120 breeds of water birds normally come during the colder months.
Jiuduansha National Wetland Reserve in Chongming County
The reserve is one of the biggest over-wintering grounds for migrant birds in Shanghai. It's suitable for bird watching all year, except in summer.
Bird photographers in Minhang District don't have the most ideal of environments for their favorite pastime, but there are a few pockets where observing and recording feathered friends in their natural habitats are possible.
Zou Xu has been a regular "bird shooter" for two years. The 30-year-old salesman said he has loved birds since he was very young. About five years ago, he started to learn photography, and birds became a natural focus of his lens.
Zou usually goes to the Minhang Sports Park, where birds sometimes show up around the lake. He usually uses his Nikon D90, with telephoto lenses of 30 to 70 millimeters or 175 to 500 millimeters.
"The best time for observing birds is 6-7am and 4-5pm," said Zou. "That's when birds usually leave or return to their nests during the day. Summer is the best season because the light is strong."
Rare species of birds are unusual in Minhang, but common species provide a lively scene for bird lovers. Egrets fly past boardwalks, kingfishers ply the waters for food and mynas crow from atop trees. These are enough to whet Zou's interest - and camera lens.
"Birds, especially wild birds, are easily scared," he said. "Thus, you need to be very quiet and careful when trying to get close to them. It's better if you wear camouflage clothing."
Zou said before he thinks about shooting, he spends a long time observing the birds and their surroundings, looking for the best light and the right angle.
Bird habitats
"Bird photographers need great patience in following a single bird," he said. "The camera needs to follow from certain distance for a long time, waiting for the bird to do something interesting, such as diving into water, hunting or playing with other birds. Waiting for two hours for a single picture is rather normal."
Zou said the best angle for shooting a bird is with front light, highlighting their vivid feather colors and shining eyes.
Minhang is home to at least 90 species of birds, some full-time residents and some seasonal. Among them are three national protected species and nine under Shanghai wildlife protection, according to Minhang forestry authorities.
The three national protected birds are the kestrel, the peregrine falcon and the buzzard. Herons are perhaps the most commonly seen birds in Minhang, officials said.
Birds gravitate to riverside forests in Wujing, Huacao and Maqiao towns, and to the Binjiang Forest Park in Wujing. Near 60 breeds of birds were found in the park, making it the biggest bird habitat in the district.
Birds can also be found in new parks, such as the Minhang Sports Park, and some residential areas with abundant greenery.
Officials said some breeds of birds, such as mynas, turtledoves and magpies, were rare in the past. They attribute the appearance of the birds to increased greenbelts and parklands. Water especially attracts many birds.
Birdwatching is a solitary sort of passion, but that doesn't mean it's a lonely pastime.
There are several birdwatching clubs in Shanghai for people to share their love of feathered creatures. The Wild Bird Society of Shanghai is one of the biggest. It organizes exchanges on "bird shooting" ideas and seminars on wild bird protection.
Where to watch in Shanghai
Dongtan Wetland in Chongming County
Birds can be found here throughout the year. Birdwatchers report seeing between 50 and 80 species in back-to-back viewing days.
East Wetland in the Nanhui area in Pudong New Area
The wetland is the first wildlife sanctuary in Shanghai. More than 200 breeds of birds have been spotted in the area.
Haiwan National Forest Park in the Fengxian District
Migrant birds are the main species found in the park. The birds vary from season to season.
Beihu Lake in Chongming County
This is a young bird observation resort. Water birds are the stars here.
Century Park in Pudong New Area
People can watch birds in the park all year, except for summer. About 20 to 40 birds can be spotted in just a few hours' watching.
Shanghai Botanical Garden in Xuhui District
Forest birds predominate here. Altogether, 83 species of birds have been spotted.
Gongqing Forest Park in Yangpu District
This park is home mainly to forest birds that vary from season to season.
Tianma Hill in Songjiang District
This is one of the best places in Shanghai for watching birds of prey.
BaoSteel Reservoir in Baoshan District
The reservoir is the best place for birdwatching in winter. More than 120 breeds of water birds normally come during the colder months.
Jiuduansha National Wetland Reserve in Chongming County
The reserve is one of the biggest over-wintering grounds for migrant birds in Shanghai. It's suitable for bird watching all year, except in summer.
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