In a city of more than 10 million people, a high school student had helped add a new species to the local bird record. The moment also reflected a broader shift: birdwatching in China, once widely regarded as a hobby for older generations, is increasingly attracting younger enthusiasts.
According to a report by Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, the number of birdwatching-related posts rose by 115.2 percent in 2025, with users around the age of 25 driving much of the growth.
Yang was introduced to birdwatching by his father, an experienced birder with nearly two decades of experience. Since early 2025, Yang has recorded 274 bird species across China.
