Restoration brings birds flocking ...
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The delta of the Yellow River, China’s second-longest waterway, has become a paradise for wild birds thanks to restoration of the environment.
At least 368 species of birds have been spotted in the delta, including red crowned crane, oriental white stork and Saunders’ gull, said ornithologist Wang Lidong.
Located on the Yellow River estuary at Dongying in east China’s Shandong Province, a reserve covers 153,000 hectares. In 2000, only 283 species were recorded, Wang said.
He attributed the increase to conservation work at the reserve in recent years. A rising number of fish, frogs and snakes provide food for birds, he said.
Reserve staff have set up 35 15-meter poles to provide safe alternatives for the storks and, since 2005, a total of 741 oriental white storks have been bred on the delta, roughly 25 percent of the entire world population.
A staff of 40 at the reserve protect birds from poachers.
Eight artificial islands have been built in reed beds in the delta with 2,000 birds on each island, Wang said.
A more reliable water supply has played an important role. The river came close to silting up in the 1990s, with about 100 dry days each year. The shortage of water resulted in groundwater recession and sea water encroachment.
Water from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir has flown into the wetland since 2008. The operation has increased both surface water and groundwater in the area while reducing soil salinity. The project has also helped clear up sediment in the lower reaches of the river.
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