Birding info of Inner Mongolia, China
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is located in China's northern frontier, extending more than 400km from its east to west. It is the first ethnic autonomous region in China. Covering an area of 1.183 million square kilometers, Inner Mongolia has a total population of more than 25.36 million with 49 ethnic groups. The majority are Mongols followed by Han Chinese. It has China’s second largest plateau—Inner Mongolian Plateau (more than 3,000km from northeast to southwest).
The plateau features numerous lakes, rivers and wetlands. There are more than 1,000 lakes with eight lakes covering more than 100 square kilometers. A large number of wetlands have been formed and nurtured around them. Inner Mongolia has a temperate continental monsoonal climate featuring cold, long winter and warm, short summer with a significant temperature gap between day and night.
In terms of wetland size, Inner Mongolia ranks third in China. And the wetlands are varied. They serve as home to rich biodiversity. The autonomous region has recorded 2,351 kinds of plants, 117 species of animals and 436 bird species, of which 66% are waterfowls.
The capital of Inner Mongolia is Hohhot, meaning "green city" in Mongolian language, is a noted historic and cultural city in northern China with a history of more than 2,300 years. In 1983, Mongolian Lark has been chosen as the state bird of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Some Important Birding Sites in Inner Mongolia
Ulansuhai Nur Lake
Located in the Wulate Front Banner of Bayannaoer League in Inner Mongolia, Ulansuhai Nur Lake is the largest lake in Yellow River valley covering the total area of 300 square kilometers and is one of the eight largest fresh water lakes. Because of its unique geographical location and favorable climatic conditions, the wetlands around the lake have become ideal breeding spot for resident and migratory birds and important migration stopover for the eight migratory passages in the world. According to the survey, this area has recorded 240 species of birds. Such as Eurasian Spoonbill, Mute Swan, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey-headed Lapwing, Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Amur Falcon, Isabelline Shrike, Chinese Grey Shrike, Crested Lark, Oriental Reed Warbler, Richard's Pipit, etc.
Dalinuoer Lake Nature Reserve
Located in Keshiketeng Banner of Chifeng (Ulanhad) City in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the reserve covers a total area of 119,413 hectares. The nature reserve set up in 1987 and was upgraded into national nature reserve in 1997. Located on the important migration flyway in northern China, the reserve is an important stopover for migratory birds. The aim of the reserve is to protect rare birds and wetland resources. According to statistics, the reserve has recorded 190 bird species falling into 98 classes, 38 families and 16 orders. Among them there are 25 species of resident birds, 108 species of summer breeders, 55 species of travelling birds and 2 species of winter birds. Such as Demoiselle Crane, Eurasian Spoonbill, Swan Goose, Common Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew, Purple Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Curlew, Relict Gull, Whiskered Tern, Daurian Jackdaw, Asian Short-toed Lark, Mongolian Lark, etc.
Horqin Nature Reserve
Located in the northern Xinjiamu Sumu of Hinggan League, the reserve was set up in 1985, upgraded to province-level nature reserve in 1994, and further upgraded to country-level reserve in 1995. Covering 126,987 hectares, the reserve aims at protecting rare bird species such as cranes and storks, and the echo system of the grasslands and wetlands upon which the birds live. The complex and varied habitats provide unique environment for the species to live and breed. The reserve has recorded 175 bird species including are 6 crane species. Such as Demoiselle Crane, Daurian Partridge, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black Bittern, Bar-headed Goose, Swan Goose, Falcated Duck, Common Goldeneye, Asian Dowitcher, Red-necked Stint, Caspian Tern, Little Tern, Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Rough-legged Buzzard, Amur Falcon, Chinese Grey Shrike, Chinese Penduline Tit, Mongolian Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Asian Short-toed Lark, Meadow Bunting, Jankowski's Bunting, Chestnut-eared Bunting, etc.
Saihanwula Nature Reserve
Located in the northern Balin Right Banner of Chifeng (Ulanhad) City, the reserve was set up in 1997, upgraded into province-level nature reserve in 1998 and national nature reserve in 2000, and was included into World Biosphere Reserve in 2001. Covering 100,400 hectares, the reserve is located in the joint area of three animal faunas, namely Northeast, North China and Mongolian-Xinjiang. A preliminary survey shows this reserve has 151 bird species falling into 47 families under 17 orders. Such as Demoiselle Crane, Eurasian Spoonbill, Swan Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Upland Buzzard, Amur Falcon, Little Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Azure-winged Magpie, Mongolian Lark, Chinese Hill Babbler, Godlewski's Bunting, Meadow Bunting, etc.
Wuerqihan
Located in the west of Da Hinggan Range (Greater Khingan Range), Wuerqihan is the closet forest from Yakeshi that occupied by lush coniferous forest where inhabited by a lot of northern specials including owls, pheasants, tits, etc. Such as Ural Owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, Great Grey Owl, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Boreal Owl, Arctic Redpoll, Black-billed Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Siberian Jay, Pallas's Rosefinch, Asian Rosy Finch, Arctic Redpoll, Common Redpoll, Hawfinch, Pine Grosbeak, Two-barred Crossbill, Eurasian Siskin, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, etc.
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