Birds flying over Danjiang Wetland National Nature Reserve

Birds flying over Danjiang Wetland National Nature Reserve

丹江湿地鸟翩跹

On January 13, in the warm winter, flocks of migratory birds were spotted flying, foraging or playing in the Danjiang Wetland National Nature Reserve (hereinafter referred to as the Danjiang Nature Reserve) in Xichuan county of Nanyang city, Central China's Henan province, painting a harmonious picture with blue sky and clear water.

1月13日，在淅川县的河南丹江湿地国家级自然保护区，冬日暖阳下，湖面上波光粼粼，芦苇荡漾，成群的候鸟栖息于此，时而在空中盘旋，掀起层层瞬息万变的“鸟浪”；时而在洲滩上落脚觅食，嬉戏追逐，于蓝天碧水之间绘制成一幅丹青水墨。

Eurasian coots. [Photo provided to Henan Daily]

According to Wang Yang, deputy director of the Management Office of the Dangjiang Nature Reserve, "Good environment attracts birds. We have welcomed more than 20,000 migratory birds in this winter. Both the number and the species of birds under Class I and Class II state protection are on the rise year after year." 

“环境好了，鸟就愿意来！这个冬季来越冬的水鸟就有2万多只。国家一级、二级保护动物的数量、种类连年增长。”河南丹江湿地国家级自然保护区管理处副主任王阳介绍。

Covering an area of 64,111 hectares, the Danjiang Nature Reserve is the water source of the middle route of China's South-to-North Water Diversion project. With more than a decade of efforts, researchers of the reserve have mastered the habitat status of many rare and endangered species, such as Chinese mergansers, black storks, Baer's pochards and yellow-breasted buntings.

河南丹江湿地国家级自然保护区总面积64111公顷，是南水北调中线工程的水源地。保护区的科研人员十几年如一日，通过持续监测，系统掌握了保护区内中华秋沙鸭、黑鹳、青头潜鸭、黄胸鹀等多种珍稀濒危物种栖息状况。

Ruddy shelducks, or tadorna ferrugineas. [Photo provided to Henan Daily]

"Nature will bring us surprises as long as we make efforts in ecological conservation," Wang Yang said.

“我们有付出，大自然就会回报你惊喜。”王阳会心一笑。

Over 70 years later, in February 2023, a crested ibis, a bird symbolizing happiness and auspice, was spotted at the Danjiang Nature Reserve again.

2023年2月份，有着“吉祥之鸟”美誉的国宝朱鹮，时隔70余年再度回归淅川，来到河南丹江湿地。

On November 25, 2023, 28 oriental white storks were spotted at the Danjiang Nature Reserve again. It was an exciting natural event that for the first time they arrived in Southwest Henan.

2023年11月25日，28只东方白鹳来到丹江湿地。这种“鸟中国宝”首次飞临豫西南区域，着实让人激动兴奋。

On December 20, 2023, the Danjiang Nature Reserve was approved officially as one of the key habitats for migratory birds in China.

2023年12月20日，河南丹江湿地国家级自然保护区“官宣”入选中国候鸟重要栖息地。

"Protecting water here is our duty and responsibility, and accelerating the construction and protection of wetlands to create a livable ecological environment are the common goals and ideals of us," Wang Yang said while looking at the birds flying against sunset.

“确保一池清水入库、一泓清水北送，是我们的责任与担当；加快湿地建设和保护，打造宜居的生态环境，更是我们一代代人共同奋斗的目标和理想。”夕阳西下，水天一色，王阳望着湖面上自由翱翔的鸟儿，坚定地说。（中文来源/河南日报 记者/孟向东 编译/杨佳欣 审校/焦丹）