Beijing has become one of the world’s most biodiverse major cities, with 531 recorded bird species now found in the Chinese capital, accounting for more than one-third of all bird species recorded in China.
Located along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Beijing has strengthened wetland restoration, afforestation, ecological corridor construction and public participation in bird protection, helping make the city an increasingly important habitat and stopover site for wild birds.
At Changzinying Wetland Park in Beijing’s Daxing district, clear waterways, dense greenery and wetland vegetation have created a favorable environment for birds. So far, 162 species of wild birds have been recorded in the park, including 25 species under second-class or higher national protection.
More than 5,000 migratory geese and ducks spend the winter in the park each year.
In March this year, park staff spotted several common pochards feeding and resting in the wetlands. The appearance of the species was seen as an important sign of ecological improvement.
Chen Zhihui, a forestry official with the industrial development service center of Changzinying township, said common pochards are highly sensitive to habitat conditions and usually live only in clean waters with high water quality and abundant aquatic vegetation.
“Their appearance shows that the park’s water quality has improved significantly and that the ecosystem can now provide sufficient food resources,” Chen said.
The park has worked to create a self-sustaining habitat through several ecological measures. These include expanding green ecological spaces, planting food- and nectar-producing species such as hawthorn, mulberry, alfalfa and wild roses, and preserving large areas of reeds and wetland grasslands.
A three-stage water purification system combining sedimentation, biological treatment and cascading water filtration has also helped improve water quality.
“With the upgrading of the forest-lake-grassland ecosystem, more and more rare bird species that once appeared only temporarily are now staying year-round and even breeding here,” Chen said.
To reduce human disturbance, the park has established dedicated biodiversity conservation zones. Artificial shelters made from stones and fallen branches have been placed around forest edges and wetland areas, while ecological monitoring systems allow wildlife to be observed with minimal disruption.
Beijing’s wider ecological restoration efforts have also supported the growth of bird populations.
Since 2012, the city has launched two large-scale afforestation campaigns covering more than 667 square kilometers. It has also built more than 100 urban and suburban parks, established 79 nature reserves and designated 47 municipal-level important wetlands.
These protected areas provide birds with stable conditions for feeding, nesting and migration.
The city has also developed natural ecological corridors and installed artificial nests to provide shelter for birds. Vegetation belts and fish restocking programs have strengthened local food chains and improved habitat quality.
At key points along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including Miyun Reservoir and Yeyahu Wetland in Yanqing district, Beijing has intensified habitat protection. These areas provide safe stopover sites for nearly three million migratory birds every year.
Bird conservation is also being integrated into urban planning and infrastructure development.
Jiang Hongxing, director of China’s National Bird Banding Center, said the Yongding River restoration project was adjusted to protect nesting habitats for sand martins. As a result, the local population grew from just dozens to more than 300 birds.
At Cuihu Wetland, planners preserved dense trees on an island in the middle of a lake to create nesting grounds for grey herons and cormorants. The site now contains more than 300 nests and is known locally as a “heron community.”
Public interest in bird conservation has also grown as bird populations have increased.
At Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park in Fengtai district, birdwatchers often gather early in the morning with cameras, waiting quietly to photograph birds flying across the water.
Guo Wei, an operations manager at the park, said most birdwatchers are nearby residents who enjoy birdwatching and bird photography. The park invited 15 of them to form a volunteer birdwatching team and established a long-term cooperation mechanism.
The volunteer team has offered suggestions on park construction and ecological protection while reminding visitors not to disturb birds.
During this year’s bird protection week, districts across Beijing organized various awareness activities. Changping district held themed publicity at Baifuquan Park, released birdwatching maps, organized science lectures and arranged bird nest donation events.
Huairou district carried out science outreach and legal awareness campaigns on bird protection, while Shunyi district hosted birdwatching competitions for primary and secondary school students to encourage environmental awareness among young people.
Wild birds are widely regarded as an indicator of a city’s ecological health. Beijing’s expanding bird diversity shows how wetland protection, urban greening, habitat restoration and public participation can support biodiversity in a modern metropolis.
