Wetlands across China, from Henan to Qinghai and Xinjiang in the west, are teeming with life during this season as tens of thousands of migratory birds arrive to breed, transforming into vibrant havens of biodiversity.

In the misty dawn at Huaiyuan Wetland in central China's Henan Province, tens of thousands of migratory birds, such as egrets, cattle egrets, and night herons, were seen soaring through the air, perching lightly on branches or building their nests.
Currently, in the breeding season, most chicks have hatched in the nests scattered across the wetland, while some are perching with their heads out or learning to fly.
This year, the local forestry department established a protective zone extending over 500 meters around the breeding area to protect nesting birds from human disturbance.
Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland lake, located on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is another haven for migratory birds. It welcomes over 600,000 migratory birds every year.
Ongoing protection and restoration efforts have led to a significant increase in the lake's surface area, reaching 4,650.08 square kilometers by the end of 2024, a gain of 28.1 square kilometers compared to 2023, which provides more habitat for these birds.
The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Daxi Lake, situated deep within the Taklamakan Desert, has transformed into a haven for migratory birds due to sustained efforts in environmental protection and restoration.
This summer, the area has attracted a variety of rare birds and wildlife, including egrets wading gracefully and black-winged stilts foraging and frolicking in the waters.