Desert oasis a lifeline for migratory birds

Habitat restoration

For the birds that rely on the wetlands, a stable water supply is not an abstract ecological goal. It determines whether there is enough habitat and food when required.

Jiang said dry conditions this year have reduced water availability in some areas. Black storks feed on small fish and shrimp, as well as dragonfly larvae and tadpoles. When water becomes scarce, their feeding grounds can shrink and their food sources can become less abundant.

Shan said water levels had fallen in some parts of the wetlands this year, reducing areas suitable for waterbirds. The reserve's full monitoring results for the year are not yet available, but field observations suggest that bird numbers are lower than in previous years.

Maintaining a suitable habitat therefore requires sustained ecological restoration and management.

Since the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, central and provincial special funds totaling about 130 million yuan ($19 million) have supported ecological protection and restoration in the reserve. More than 160 hectares of damaged wetland has been restored, along with 274.73 hectares of vegetation.

More than 27.4 kilometers of waterways have been dredged, and ecological water replenishment has covered 953.33 hectares, according to the reserve.

For black storks in particular, habitat restoration has focused on creating shallow-water feeding grounds. As wading birds, they do not forage well in deep water, so restoration work has included areas generally no deeper than 50 centimeters where the birds can catch fish, Shan said.

Targeted habitat restoration for black storks began in 2025 and continued this year, alongside patrols, measures to reduce human disturbance, and the provision of small fish and shrimp during the breeding season when food is limited.