Birding in Zhengzhou City
With a history of 3,600 years, Zhengzhou is the capital and largest city of Henan Province and one of the birth place of Chinese culture. With a total population of 7.8 million people, Zhengzhou is the political, economic and culture center of Henan Province. Strategically Zhengzhou is located in the middle of Central China Plain and is an important transportation hub linking south, west, north and east part of China.
Zhengzhou enjoys a humid subtropical climate with distinctive seasons, cool and dry winter, hot and humid summer, warm spring, and mild autumn. Designated as “National Garden City”, Zhengzhou has a very nice environment. There are lots of parks and historic sites inside Zhengzhou City.
Of the three traditional bird migration routes for migratory birds, the middle one goes over the city. And the city itself is an important wintering place for migratory birds.
Some Important Birding Sites in Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou Yellow River Provincial Wetlands Reserve
In 2004, the Zhengzhou Yellow River Provincial Wetlands Reserve was set up. Located to the north of Zhengzhou City, the reserve covers 38,007 hectares and is the largest of its kind in Henan Province. By now 169 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. Such as Yellow Bittern, Chinese Pond Heron, Common Moorhen, Long-billed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Pied Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Light-vented Bulbul, Silver-throated Bushtit, Oriental Reed Warbler, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Chinese Blackbird, Dusky Thrush, Chinese Grosbeak, Black-faced Bunting, etc.
Bishagang Park
Located inside the city, it is convenient to go birding in the park. The park got its name because of the construction of a cemetery built by General Feng Yuxiang in 1928 for his soldiers to die in the Northern Expedition War. The lush vegetation and quiet environment make this park a good place for birding. You will have chance for some birds such as Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Coal Tit, Yellow-bellied Tit, Light-vented Bulbul, Silver-throated Bushtit, Black-throated Bushtit, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, White-cheeked Starling, Chinese Grosbeak, etc.
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