Thousands of black-headed gulls dance trippingly in Qianhai Zhanqiao Pier scenic spot. In the intersections of Moshui River and Baisha River, pied avocets whirl about in a light and graceful manner, and mallards and shelducks forage quietly. In early winter, such migratory birds add vitality to the ecological landscape in Qingdao.

Blessed with exceptional geographical position and natural resources, Qingdao, a coastal city in the southern part of Shandong Peninsula, draws millions of migratory birds to stop by every year, and is known as an important “resting-place” for migratory birds in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is estimated that Qingdao is home to 398 species of birds, where Chinese crested terns, a “mythical bird” once considered as extincted across the globe, as well as four kinds of extremely endangered wildlife, including Chinese merganser, red-crowned crane and black-faced spoonbill, have been found inhabit.

China’s first batch of 789 significant habitats for terrestrial wildlife, which was unveiled in 2023, includes four wetlands in Qingdao, namely, Dagu River Estuary Wetland, Shaohai Wetland, Tangdao Bay Wetland, and Chengyang Baisha River and Moshui River Estuary Wetland.

In such conventional habitats for migratory birds as Jiaozhou Bay Dagu River Estuary Wetland, Laixi Jiangshan Wetland, Taiping Mountain, Fushan Mountain, Wushan Mountain, Xiaozhu Mountain, Dagong Island and Changmenyan Island, new records of birds and globally valuable and rare bird species are chalked up one after another.

11 islets in the intersection of Baisha River and Jiaozhou Bay are ideal habitats for tens of thousands of migratory birds in more than 160 species. As shown by monitoring data, the number of Reed Parrotbill, a second-class national protected animal in China, which can now be frequently seen in Baisha River Wetland, has rocketed from only a dozen in 2017 to more than 600,

It is noteworthy that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Qingdao launching the campaign to protect seagulls. The number of seagulls overwintering in Qingdao has ballooned from the initial 2,000 to 100,000 in over 20 species, which compose a captivating scene by the sea.  (Liu Dong)

Clusters of waterfowl perch in the Baisha River estuary. By Zhao Jianpeng