In an exciting discovery during the 2024 winter bird survey, more than 200 Chinese mergansers were spotted in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River in central China’s Hubei Province. This rare sighting of the national first-class protected species also led to the identification of two new habitats for these elusive birds.
Yichang City, nestled at the junction of the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, has a 232-kilometer stretch along the riverbank. Recent efforts to build green ecological corridors have transformed Yichang into a model city for ecological protection along the Yangtze. These initiatives have significantly improved the environment, making the Yichang section a vital wintering haven for waterfowl.
The week-long bird survey spanned five national wetland parks, a provincial wetland park, and a provincial nature reserve in the Yichang area. In total, 9,347 birds from 112 species were recorded, including 208 Chinese mergansers and seven black storks. The survey also noted new bird records in various wetland parks, such as bull-headed shrikes, ospreys, and Eurasian wigeons.
“The number of Chinese mergansers in Yichang has increased over the past three years,” remarked Professor Li Xiang from Huazhong Agricultural University, a participant in the survey. “Their presence not only in the Yichang section of the Yangtze but also in the Huangbai River, a tributary, showcases the successful ecological restoration in the Huangbai River basin and the continuous improvement of the Yangtze River’s environment.”
This surge in biodiversity highlights the positive impact of dedicated conservation efforts in the region, offering hope for the future of these rare species and the overall health of the ecosystem.
