Birding in Nanjing City
Located in the lower Yangtze River Drainage basin, Nanjing is the capital of Jiangshu Province and the second largest city in the Yangtze Delta economic zone only after Shanghai. Famed as being Capitals for Six Ancient Dynasties in China, Nanjing is recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. Most recent time it served as the national capital of China was during the first half of last century by Kuomingtang under the Republic of China prior to its flight to Taiwan.
The climate in Nanjing is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate featuring four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Along with Wuhan and Chongqing, Nanjing is traditionally referred to as one of the "Three Furnacelike Cities" along the Yangtze River for the perennially high temperatures in the summertime. With a total population of 8 million people, Nanjing has long been a national center of education, research, transport networks, and tourism.
Covering a total land area of 6,598 square kilometers, Nanjing is sitting on the east bank of Yangtze River and is surrounded by Ningzheng Ridge on the north, east and south side. Nanjing has multiple habitats including rivers, lakes, wetlands and hills for different birds. The lush vegetation in those places attracts lots of birds come to settle here. So far more than 200 bird species have been recorded in Nanjing.
Some Important Birding Sites in Nanjing
Zijingshan
Located in the boundary area between the north temperate zone and subtropical zone, Zijingshan sits at the north-south vegetation transition zone with abundant plant species and lush vegetation. They provide excellent habitats for birds. Here we have chance to see Black Kite, Asian Barred Owlet, Speckled Piculet, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Light-vented Bulbul, Black-throated Tit, Silver-throated Tit, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Masked Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Chinese Blackbird, Pale Thrush, Naumann's Thrush, etc.
Xuanwu Lake
Xuanwu Lake is located in downtown Nanjing and has a number of water birds here including Little Grebe, Little Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, etc. Other birds like Azure-winged Magpie, Light-vented Bulbul, Arctic Warbler, Black-throated Tit, Silver-throated Tit, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Masked Laughingthrush, Red-billed Starling, Chinese Blackbird, Oriental Greenfinch, etc.
Jiangxinzhou Island
Jiangxinzhou Island is located in the middle of Yangtze River and is 6.5km from city proper. You have chances to see Chinese Pond Heron, Little Ringed Plover, Brown Crake, Common Moorhen, Red-billed Starling, Masked Laughingthrush, Olive-backed Pipit, Little Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, etc.
Yuhuatai
Yuhuatai has located about 1km from Zhonghuamen and over 90% of the place is covered by trees or vegetations. Here you have chances to see Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Common Pheasant, Dollarbird, Black-naped Oriole, Crested Myna, Azure-winged Magpie, Grey Treepie, Light-vented Bulbul, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Chinese Grosbeak, etc.
Laoshan National Forest Park
Laoshan National Forest Park is located on the northern shores of the Yangtze River, west of the Yangtze River Bridge and north of the Yangtze River Tunnel. The Park covers an area of 80 square kilometers with a forest coverage of 80%. In addition to the tree covered undulating hills plus various species of plant life unique to the locale, Lao Shan is also home to over 200 species of birds which each year make the area their breeding ground. Such as Black Baza, Grey-faced Buzzard, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Brown-rumped Minivet, Black-naped Oriole, Black Drongo, Tiger Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Grey Treepie, Yellow-bellied Tit, Collared Finchbill, Light-vented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Chestnut Bulbul, Silver-throated Tit, Black-throated Tit, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Masked Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Oriental Greenfinch, Yellow-throated Bunting, etc.
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