Birding info of Xinjiang, China
Located in northwest China central part of Eurasia and covering an area of 1.66 million square kilometers, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the largest provincial-level administrative region of China with 5,600 kilometers border. The mountain ranges in Xinjiang include the Altai Mountains lying on the north, Kunlun and Altun Mountains sitting on the south and Tianshan Mountains stretching from west to east in the central Xinjiang.
Two vast basins Junggar and Tarim lie between these mountains. Numerous glaciers contribute to the water sources of the most rivers in Xinjiang. Far inland, Xinjiang experiences a typical arid temperate continental climate with dry air, plenty of sunshine, and only 150 mm annual precipitation.
The dry weather formed broad deserts which account for two-third of the total desert area in China. Most of Xinjiang's territory is sparsely populated which makes it a paradise to wildlife. Various nature conditions contribute to abundant living resources with about 4,000 kinds of plant and 704 vertebrate species of which 116 species are under national key protection. There are about 430 bird species have been recorded in Xinjiang. Unlike the other places of China, Xinjiang owns plenty European and Central Asian bird species. There are also about 100 bird species and subspecies mainly distribute in China or endemic to China. There is 21.81 million inhabitants live in the Autonomous Region, and its capital is Urumchi.
Some Important Birding Sites in Xinjiang
Tarim Nature Reserve
Located in Weili and Luntai Counties the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the reserve covers an area of 395,400 hectares. It was established in 1983 and upgraded national nature reserve in 2006. The reserve aims to protect the Euphrates Poplar Forest ecosystem and the rare creatures. According to the investigates, 140 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. The Tarim River Wetlands in the reserve is an important stopover for a large flock of migratory birds including 41 species under Sino-Japan Migratory Birds Protection Agreement and 13 species under Sino-Australia Migratory Birds Protection Agreement. Such as Xinjiang Ground Jay, Whooper Swan, Goosander, Azure Tit, Bearded Tit, Tarim Babbler, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Black-throated Thrush, Red-throated Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Blue-capped Redstart, Rufous-backed Redstart, Red-mantled Rosefinch, Godlewski's Bunting, etc.
Qinggeda Lake Nature Reserve
Located in Wujiaqu City northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, the reserve covers 30 square kilometers. It was established in 2002 to protect the rare bird species. It is a wonderful place for birding which has recorded 186 bird species. The reserve is a stopover and breeding habitat for Whooper Swan, Great bustard, Pallas's Fish Eagle, and other 28 bird species under national key protection. Other birds like Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Black Tern, Isabelline Shrike, Great Reed Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, etc.
Mushroom Lake
Located about 30 kilometers to the northwest of Shihezi, Mushroom Lake is the largest plain reservoir in Shihezi. The surrounding vegetation is rich, and the microorganisms, algae, fish and insects in the lake are also abundant. During the annual migration season, the reservoir attracts gulls, herons, ducks and more than 30 kinds of national primary and secondary protected birds. Such as Whooper Swan, Tufted Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Smew, Goosander, Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Ruff, Caspian Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, White-winged Black Tern, White-tailed Eagle, Pallas's Fish-Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Isabelline Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Paddyfield Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Black-throated Thrush, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, etc.
Tianshan Mountain (Baiyanggou)
The beautiful Baiyanggou scenic spot is the renowned summer resort and tourist attraction in the southern suburb of the Urumqi City, about 75 kilometers away from the city proper. Baiyanggou scenic spot is situated at the northern foot of the northern Tianshan Mountain. The beauty spot belongs to the transition zone between the middle mountain and the low mountain, with the altitude of about 2,252 meters above sea level. Baiyanggou has recorded over 150 bird species. Such as Himalayan Snowcock, Hill Pigeon, Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Pallas's Sandgrouse, Black Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, European Roller, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Turkestan Shrike, Isabelline Shrike, Coal Tit, Azure Tit, Bearded Tit, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, Rufous-backed Redstart, Blue-capped Redstart, Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Richard's Pipit, Tawny Pipit, Common Rosefinch, Plain Mountain-Finch, Common Linnet, Red-headed Bunting, Pine Bunting, Grey-necked Bunting, etc.
Burqin Magic Forest
Burqin Magic Forest is a riverine woodland at the confluence of the Burqin and Irytsh rivers. The birch forest and corresponding avifauna are similar to those of White Birch Forest Scenic Area northwest. Burqin Magic Forest has recorded over 100 bird species. Such as Common Goldeneye, Goosander, Common Quail, Black Stork, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, White-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Turkestan Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Azure Tit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Chaffinch, etc.
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