The White Swans Have Returned! Over 200 White Swans Descend upon Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park
A gentle breeze brings warmth, and the spring buds are gradually blossoming. On February 19th, over 200 beautiful white swans descended upon the Henan Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park, they were often in the water, playing together, and sometimes soaring through the sky, adding a brilliant landscape to the Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park in early spring.
Wetlands are an important ecological barrier in the natural environment, known as ‘the lungs of the Earth’. According to reports, the Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park, established in February 2013 with a notice of approval from the State Forest Administration, has a wide water surface and a stable water level, with clear and transparent water without pollution. The favorable ecological environment has attracted many birds to inhabit and stay, with a large number of migratory birds staying over the winter, and 20 or more species of birds have settled and bred here, including the black-headed duck, which is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union, with approximately 160 individuals observed in the Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park and have been dwelling and breeding there.
Recently, February 2nd was the 24th World Wetlands Day, and China has newly designated 7 international important wetlands, among which Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park is one, and it is also the first provincial wetland to be designated as an international important wetland.
It is reported that migratory bird habitats require high ecological standards, and only clean water and fresh air will attract them to visit or settle. White swans have been visiting the Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park for consecutive years. To create a good habitat for these ‘white angels’, the wetland management department of the county has intensified publicity, educating surrounding residents on the importance of loving and protecting birds. The surrounding residents have consciously loved and protected birds, providing a ‘protection umbrella’ for the swans and other migratory birds, and the area has gradually become a ‘migratory bird paradise’. The sight of flocks of migratory birds flying and dancing has become a normal landscape.
‘The ecological environment of my county’s Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park is getting better and better, and more and more rare and precious birds are ‘settling’ in the Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area. We not only take patrol protection measures for these birds, but also regularly feed the birds and care for them. Loving and protecting birds has become a conscious behavior of people in Minquan.’ Li Jie, Director of the Minquan Yellow River Gobi Scenic Area Wetland Park Management Center, introduced.
Source: Hubei Daily Client
Editor: Zhang Zhihui
