Birding info of Henan, China
Henan is a landlocked province of China, located in the central part of the country. Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou, which literally means "central plain" or "midland", although the name is also applied to the entirety of China proper. Henan is a birthplace of Chinese civilization, with over 3,000 years of recorded history and remained China's cultural, economical and political center until approximately 1,000 years ago. Henan Province is home to many heritage sites that have been left behind, including the ruins of Shang dynasty capital city Yin and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, Luoyang, Anyang, Kaifeng and Zhengzhou, are located in Henan. The practice of tai chi also began in Chen Jia Gou Village (Chen style), as did the later Yang and Wu styles.
Although the name of the province means "south of the Yellow river", approximately a quarter of the province lies north of the Yellow River, also known as the Huang He. With an area of 167,000 km2, Henan covers a large part of the fertile and densely populated North China Plain. Henan is China's third most populous province with a population of over 94 million.
Henan has a diverse landscape with floodplains in the east and mountains in the west. Much of the province forms part of the densely populated North China Plain, an area known as the "breadbasket of China". The Taihang Mountains intrude partially into Henan's northwestern borders from Shanxi, forming the eastern edge of Loess Plateau. To the west the Xionger and Funiu Mountains form an extensive network of mountain ranges and plateaus, supporting one of the few remaining temperate deciduous forests which once covered all of Henan. The renowned Mount Song and its Shaolin Temple is located in the far east of the region, near the capital city Zhengzhou. To the far south, the Dabie Mountains divides Hubei from Henan. The Nanyang Basin, separated from North China Plain by these mountains, is another important agricultural and population center, with culture and history distinct from the rest of Henan and closer to that of Hubei's. The rich geographical types form a rich variety of different habitats, providing a habitat for many wildlife. About 350 bird species have been recorded in Hebei.
Some Important Birding Sites in Henan
Dongzhai National Nature Reserve
Dongzhai is located on the north side of Dabie Mountain and is in the transition zone between middle and low mountain elevation before to the eastern plain. The rich and various forest resources here are home to many endemic and unique species found in the central region of China. About 200 bird species have been recorded in Dongzhai including the gorgeous endemic Reeves's Pheasant and the Endangered Crested Ibis. Other birds like Fairy Pitta, Black Baza, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Crested Goshawk, Oriental Scops Owl, Rufous Turtle Dove, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Grey Nightjar, Black-capped Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Speckled Piculet, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Brown-rumped Minivet, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Black Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Eurasian Jay, Collared Crow, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Rufous-faced Warbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Silver-throated Tit, Black-throated Tit, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Masked Laughingthrush, Blue Whistling-Thrush, White-crowned Forktail, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Russet Sparrow, and Forest Wagtail.
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 38007 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 a 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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