Birding info of Anhui, China
Anhui, located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and middle reaches of Huai River, is an important habitat for birds. The numerous lakes and wetlands around generated by the two rivers have become home for winter migrants and summer breeders. The diversified topography of the province has made it a home for large number of different bird species.
With a population of over 59 million, the province covers an area of 130,000 square kilometers consisting of three parts, Huaibei Plain, Jianghuai Hilly Area, and South Mountainous Area.
It is estimated that there are about 166-242 bird species in the forest areas in the eastern part of the province, 76-166 bird species in the plains along the river, hilly areas and mountainous areas in the southern part and only about 63-76 bird species in the northern plain and south province. The climate belongs to semi-humid monsoon of warm temperate and subtropical humid monsoon. The capital city of Anhui is Hefei City which has a history of about 2,000 years. Anhui is famous for rice paper, ink stone and Chinese ink.
Some Important Birding Sites in Anhui Province
Shengjinhu Nature Reserve
Established in 1986 with an area of 33,400 hectares, Shengjinhu Nature Reserve is situated in Southwestern Anhui, Southern Bank of Yangtze River. The vast lake surface provides abundant food resources to attract birds to breed here and large number of migrant birds to stay or stop. So this lake is also known as Lake of Cranes in China. Of the 170 bird species recorded here, 84 are water birds and 80 are winter migrants including Swan Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Bewick's Swan, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Brown Crake, Pied Avocet, Long-billed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Pied Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Tit, Collared Finchbill, Black-collared Starling, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Meadow Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Rustic Bunting, etc.
Anqing Wetlands
Established in 1995, Anqing Wetlands lie in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The wetlands occupy an area of 133,000 hectares. As important habitat for migrants in middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, large number of rare and endangered water birds come here to spend the winter each year. According to the investigation in 2004, the birds’ number in Anqing Wetlands is over 250,000. About 152 bird species have been recorded in this reserve, of which there are 86 water birds including Swan Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Bewick's Swan, Brown Crake, Pied Avocet, Long-billed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Pied Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Tit, Black-collared Starling, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Meadow Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Rustic Bunting, etc.
Huangshan
Standing in the South Anhui, Huangshan is the highest Mountain in East China as well as a very important tourist attraction. It was included in the UNESCO “world nature and culture heritage” in Sep. 1990. Huangshan has abundant bird resources. According to statistics, there are 210 bird species in Huangshan including Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Indian Cuckoo, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Oriental Scops Owl, Speckled Piculet, Yellow-bellied Tit, Mountain Bulbul, Chestnut Bulbul, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Indochinese Yuhina, Masked Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, etc.
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