Globally Critically Endangered Diving Ducks Spotted in Fangshan's Dashuhe River
A pair of Diving Ducks are swimming on the water.
Beijing News Report: Recently, six globally critically endangered birds, Diving Ducks, appeared in Dashuhe River in Fangshan District. This bird species exists less than 800 individuals worldwide. Diving Ducks are migratory birds, typically migrating from southern wintering grounds to northern breeding grounds in mid-March, and starting to fly south in mid-October. It used to be a common migratory bird in China, but with the destruction of habitats and human hunting, the population has declined sharply, and it has been listed as 'Critically Endangered' by the 'IUCN Red List of Threatened Species'
On April 2nd morning, at the Dashuhe River waterfront park water surface, flocks of Crowned Chicken, Red-necked Duck, and Spotted Mouth Duck were swimming on the water, occasionally diving down to pick up small fish, and occasionally flapping their wings. Because Diving Ducks are shy, they often hide in reeds, and it is difficult to find them in a day. With the help of Black Leopard Wildlife Protection Station staff, the reporter of Beijing News photographed a pair swimming on the water.
According to Fangshan District's Ecological Environment Bureau, in recent years, the water environment of Dashuhe River has improved significantly, with abundant aquatic plants, providing a comfortable place for rare migratory birds to rest and forage. Since 2017, Fangshan has attracted hundreds of bird species, including Swans, White Egrets, Black Storks, Eastern Crowned Cranes, Mountain Spotted Fowl, etc., to visit.
Black Leopard Wildlife Protection Station staff are using animal sound searchers to find the location of Diving Ducks.
Diving Ducks have black heads and necks with greenish sheen, white eyes, brownish upper body, and chestnut-colored chest.
Black Leopard Wildlife Protection Station staff are scattering corn in the reeds where Diving Ducks reside.
Dashuhe River, flocks of Crowned Chicken are playing on the water.
On the water surface, Spotted Mouth Duck are leisurely.
A Crowned Chicken caught a small fish.
Red-necked Duck are flying in the reeds.
A pair of Eastern Crowned Cranes.
Small Cranes are flapping their wings on the water.
Flying Spotted Mouth Duck landing on the water.
Flying Red-necked Duck.
Dashuhe River is known as Fangshan's mother river, in recent years, the water environment has improved significantly, with abundant aquatic plants, attracting hundreds of bird species to visit.
On the Dashuhe River bank, many bird enthusiasts are birdwatching and photographing from a distance.
Beijing News reporter Li Mu Yi Photography Report
Editor Wu Fei Hu Correction Wu Xing Fa
