Birding info of Shandong, China
Located in China's east coast and the lower reaches of the Yellow River, Shandong Province covers 153,000 square kilometers of land territory and over 170,000 square kilometers of ocean territory with a totally 3,024 kilometers of rugged coastline. Shandong Province has many islands, including 296 offshore islands, and numerous rivers and lakes with about 3,000 square kilometers of mudflat. Shandong has different habitats including mountainous areas, hilly areas and plains, but the majority is plain which takes about 65% of the total provincial territory.
The province’s major vegetation is deciduous broadleaf and conifer forests. Because Shandong is located in a warm temperate zone and coastal area, and there are various habitats for different bird species, the province is an excellent place for birds to live and stay. Moreover, the province is on the migration route, so it is the most important place for migratory birds to drop in to feed, spend winter and breed.
Statistics show that Shandong has recorded about 400 bird species, of which only over 50 are residents and over 300 are either wintering or traveling birds. Therefore, Shandong Province is an ideal place for bird-watching or migratory birds study in China. Of the 227 species listed in China-Japan Migratory Bird Protection Agreement, Shandong Province has 200 species. Thus, most of the migratory birds are under the protection list.
Shandong province has a typical temperate and monsoonal climate, featuring distinct seasons, moderate rainfall, and warm temperature. The provincial capital of Shandong Province is Jinan, which has history of 2,600 years.
Some Important Birding Sites in Shandong
Yellow River Delta Reserve
Located in Yellow River Estuary along the shore of the Bohai Sea and formed by the sediment brought by the Yellow River, Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve is the largest delta, and also the biggest, the most complete and the youngest wetland in China. The nature reserve was set up in 1990 and upgraded to national nature reserve in 1992. There are 270 species of birds recorded in the reserve, including 116 species of passeriformes, 46 species of charadriiformes and 32 species of anseriformes. Such as Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Brown-cheeked Rail, Black-tailed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow Bittern, Chinese Pond Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Chinese Penduline Tit, Zitting Cisticola, Light-vented Bulbul, Yellow-browed Warbler, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, White-cheeked Starling, Oriental Greenfinch, Meadow Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, Pallas's Reed Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, etc.
Changdao Nature Reserve
Also known as Changshan Islands, Changdao Nature Reserve was located in the Bohai Strait between the Shangdong Peninsula and Liaotong Peninsula. As crucial gateway for north-south migratory birds in east China, the reserve enjoys extremely abundant bird resources with as many as 1 million migratory birds flying over here each year. About 280 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. The reserve was set up in 1982 and upgraded into national nature reserve in 1988. Birds like Streaked Shearwater, Chinese Egret, Pelagic Cormorant, Japanese Cormorant, Western Osprey, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Grey-faced Buzzard, Whimbrel, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Gull, Yellow-bellied Tit, Coal Tit, Light-vented Bulbul, Blue Rock Thrush, etc.
Coastal Wetlands and Rizhao Islands
Located in Southeastern Shandong and the seashore of Yellow Sea, Rizhao Coastal Wetland has recorded more than 250 kinds of birds. Another bird island has been found in Qianshan Island which is within this area. On the bird island, some rare birds have been discovered such as Swinhoe's Storm Petrel, Ancient Murrelet, Black-throated Loon, Swan Goose, etc.
Nansi Lake
Located in Weishan County in southwestern Shandong, Nasi Lake is the largest fresh water lake and one of the largest wetlands in northern China. The reserve was established in 1994 and has recorded 246 bird species. Each year more than 350,000 geese and ducks fly to Nansi Lake for wintering. The birds in the reserve live in 4 different kinds of habitats, namely reed swamp, wetlands and meadows, the open waters and mixed forests in the mountains. Birds like Falcated Duck, Ferruginous Pochard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew, Chinese Pond Heron, Eurasian Hobby, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Chinese Penduline Tit, Light-vented Bulbul, Silver-throated Bushtit, Dusky Warbler, Hume's Leaf Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Reed Parrotbill, Brambling, Chinese Grosbeak, Yellow-browed Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, etc.
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