Birding in Urumqi City
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is the largest city in Xinjiang and now serves as a regional transport hub and commercial centre in this province. Established in 1850s, Urumqi is a relatively young city compared with other provincial cities in China and has total population of over 2.5 million people, of which 24.6% are ethnic minority people.
As an inland city in China, Urumchi has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the remotest city from any sea in the world, staying about 2,500km from the nearest coastline in any direction. Urumqi has an uneven topography, hilly areas accounting for about 50% of its total territory, the highest place standing 5,445 meters above sea level while the lowest place only 490 meters. Because of these, Urumqi enjoys very different landscapes including alpine mountains, glaciers, forests, and grasslands.
Urumqi has a semi-arid climate featuring hot summer and cold winter. The extreme temperatures in winter can be as low as −41.5 ℃. The unique location, various land forms, and climate conditions have made Urumqi good place to see some endemic birds you can't see in other cities.
Some Important Birding Sites in Urumqi
Nanshan Mountain
Located to the south of Urumqi city proper, Nanshan is about 60km from downtown Urumqi and used to be an important hunting ground in Tang Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. The multiple eco-environments and big elevation differences here made it abundant with bird species including Daurian Partridge, Chukar Partridge, Booted Eagle, Himalayan Vulture, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Upland Buzzard, Rock Pigeon, Stock Dove, European Roller, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Rufous-tailed Shrike, Eurasian Jackdaw, Coal Tit, Azure Tit, Crested Lark, Horned Lark, Northern House Martin, Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Rosy Starling, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Blue-capped Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Black-throated Accentor, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Red-headed Bunting, etc.
Wulabo Wetlands Reserve
Located about 10km from the southwest part of Urumqi City, Wulapo Wetlands is the grade one protected area for water sources. The numerous streams and lush vegetation inside the wetlands reserve make this place ideal place for numerous water birds during the breeding season including Whooper Swan, Northern Pintail, Ferruginous Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Common Redshank, Whiskered Tern, Little Bittern, etc. You also have opportunity to see Rufous-backed Redstart, Black Redstart, Booted Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Turkestan Shrike, Isabelline Shrike, White-crowned Penduline Tit, Paddyfield Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Bluethroat, Common Reed Bunting, etc.
Urumqi Botanical Garden
Built in 1986, Urumqi Botanical Garden is one of the favorite places for local birders. It is located in downtown city and very easy to get there. If you have limited time, you can go this place. Here you have chances to see some birds which are hard to see in other cities in China such as Booted Eagle, Azure Tit, Black-throated Accentor, Common Chaffinch, European Turtle Dove, Barred Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, European Greenfinch, etc.
Baihu Lake
Baihu Lake is located in the west of Urumqi city, is an important breeding place for many birds. Such as Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, White-headed Duck, Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Common Tern, Turkestan Shrike, Bearded Tit, Pale Sand Martin, Common Starling, Isabelline Wheatear, etc.
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