Who lives in the Huiwen Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve?

By Nicki Johnson / HICN / Updated: 18:53,13-September-2021

After the tide goes out, exposing the vast expanse of the intertidal zone, large numbers of birds come to forage here, creating a bustling scene. In Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Episode 7, the film crew takes you along on a visit to the Huiwen Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve, located in Hainan, China. Here, birds soar across the sky, squabble over morsels of food, and dive headlong into the water in search of a meal.

A scene from Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Episode 7, Huiwen. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

A scene from Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Episode 7, Huiwen. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

The tide rolls in, right on schedule, and along come the fish to forage in the shallows. A Common Kingfisher sits on a branch watching the water. He’s laser-focused on the hunt. As soon as he spots his target, he makes a beeline for the water. Plunging in, he snatches a small fish and speeds away. After catching his prize, he knocks it unconscious and swallows it whole.

Common Kingfisher. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

A Common Kingfisher spots his prey and makes a beeline for the water. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

A Common Kingfisher perches on a branch with his catch. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

As the tide comes in, there is less and less ground available to stand on, and a Little Egret chases the other birds away from his stretch of water, where he then enjoys his meal in peace.

Little Egrets. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

A group of Whimbrels move about, their long beaks making scavenging for food under the water simple and easy. These graceful birds are able to find food under the water easily. A captured crab waves his claws in defiance. The Whimbrel pecks at the crab claws and whips his head back, using the force of physics to tear the crab apart. Each time the crab falls back into the water, he’s soon fished out again and finally is swallowed whole.

Whimbrels forage for food in the water. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

Whimbrels forage for food in the water. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

On another part of the mudflat, a food fight is in progress. A Ruddy Turnstone is pecking at a crab. A nearby Lesser Sand Plover is drooling over the meal and makes a cautious attempt to feed but always gets run off. Tearing the crab apart, the Ruddy Turnstone snatches up a piece and flees the danger zone.

A Ruddy Turnstone runs off with a piece of crab. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

The Huiwen Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve is a good example of dense, flourishing mangroves with support and breathing roots. Their criss-crossing lines can be clearly seen on shore. The Mangrove Apple trees are covered with showy flowers and fruit this time of year.

A Mangrove Apple flower receives a visitor. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

The Huiwen Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve features a very long intertidal zone. When the tide is out, large numbers of birds come here to forage, creating a bustling scene.

A scene from Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Episode 7, Huiwen. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

As the tide rises, fish swim towards shore. A Little Egret takes to the air in search of a good spot to spend the night. The mangrove’s breathing roots stick out of the water, taking in oxygen for the plant.

The Huiwen wetlands offer a textbook example of a tropical coast, incorporating most of China’s major types of coastal waters and wetlands.

A scene from Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Episode 7, Huiwen. DISCOVERING MYSTERIES

Discovering Mysteries Season 2 started being broadcasted worldwide on August 2. The first part of Discovering Mysteries Season 2 focuses on the wetlands and the mangrove forest. Season 2 will have a total of 24 episodes, each running around 4 minutes. This season explores the mangrove forest, the wetlands, Baihualing, and the rainforests of Wuzhishan, as well as Jiaxi and the Exianling nature reserve.

This is Hainan: Discovering Mysteries is a short documentary series that shines a light on Hainan’s ecological and cultural geography. It reveals Hainan’s natural environment, focusing on nature, ecological protection, and scientific research, giving viewers a look inside the natural ecology of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the many plant and animal species native to the island, and the achievements of the national ecological culture pilot zone.

Open the New Hainan App, Hinews, or Nanguo Metropolis Daily, or the Hainan International Communication Network (https://www.hicn.cn/) to watch the seventh episode, Huiwen!

Click the links to see more episodes of Discovering Mysteries:

Discovering Mysteries Season 2 Collection

Discovering Mysteries Season 1 Collection 

Producers: Guo Zhimin, Wu Bin, Han Chaoguang

Production Supervisor: Luo Jianli

Executive Supervisors: Hu Xufa, Lin Ying , Yu Weihui, Ao Kun

Filmmaker / Director: Li Xiaogang

Writers: Mi Hongxu, Li Xiaogang

Videography: Xu Wei, Liu Sunmou, Mi Hongshu, Zheng Ziyu, Li Xiaogang

Editors: Li Xiaogang, Xu Wei

Special Videography: Feng Erhui, Chen Zhengping, Luo Lixiang, Lü Shiyang

Narrator: Liu Yang

Print Media Design: Gong Yuming

Translator:Nicki Johnson

Jointly Produced by: The Hainan Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Management Office and the Hainan Wild Plant & Animal Protection Management Office

With special thanks to: Hainan Pingtouge Culture Media Co. Ltd.

Jointly Produced by: New Hainan APP, Hainan International Media Center and Hinews

A production of: Nanguo Metropolis Daily

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