Birds gather together on the rippling sea surface. Tens of hundreds of sea gulls, which show up in the Zhanqiao Pier according to appointment every year, appeal to tourists from across the country. On the east bank of Laoshan River, around ten varieties of aquatic birds and wild ducks are seen swimming and foraging in the meters-long channel section, constituting a picturesque scroll on ecology. In Jiaozhou Bay, winter birds huddle together for a nap, and rise to the sky from time to time to lead to a gorgeous scene. These fluttering creatures add ingenuity to winter days in Qingdao.

In early January this year, a Chinese merganser made its maiden appearance in Qingdao, adding a new member to the varieties of birds discovered in Qingdao. Dubbed as “giant pandas of birds”, Chinese mergansers are among both China national first-class protected animals and the most ancient wild ducks in China. Experts speculate that the merganser might be a straggler and later inhabits here because of favorable living conditions and abundant food nearby the river course.

Situated at the southern part of Shandong Peninsula and enjoying a special geographic position, Qingdao draws millions of migratory birds every year and becomes an important “post station” for birds to migrate across the Asia-Pacific Region. As the ecological environment in Qingdao increasingly improves, wild bird resources will continue to diversify. Currently, Qingdao has recorded more than 400 species of birds.

In winter, Qingdao is in name and in fact a homeland of migratory birds. As early as 1994, Qingdao launched a campaign to save sea gulls. After the lapse of three decades, more than 100,000 sea gulls fly to Qingdao to spend winter every year. Nowadays, sea gulls, whirring and fluttering on the waves, constitute a unique attraction in the coastal city.  (Liu Dong)

Winter birds cluster in Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay to rest and forage, constituting a glamorous scene.  By Liu Dong

A Chinese merganser , dubbed as “giant pandas of birds”, makes its maiden appearance in Qingdao.