2022 Wintering Waterbirds Survey Completed

By Zeng Chenying / hicn.cn / Updated: 18:44,12-January-2022

On January 9, the survey of the wintering waterbirds of 2022 in Hainan was completed. During the three-day investigation,surveyors at about 70 observation points around the island counted species and population numbers. For the survey,the key bird species of concern are the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor), Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea), and Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus germani). The full result will be released on World Wetlands Day (February 2).

Located midway along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Hainan Island has numerous inland wetlands and extensive coastline harbors. With 3200 km²of wetlands, the island provides stopovers and wintering grounds for a good number of migratory waterbirds (including some endangered species). Now in its 19th year, this survey is of great significance to wetland conservation and bird protection in Hainan.

The survey team visited Yanfeng Town’s Xiatang Wetlands to observe the waterbirds there (January 7)/LI TIANPING

Surveyors and volunteers went into the Danzhou Bay mudflats (January 8)/LI TIANPING

Common Redshanks (Tringa tetanus) were seen skimming the waters of Danzhou Bay (January 8)/LI TIANPING

A Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) was seen foraging for food in the Danzhou Bay mudflats (January 8)/LI TIANPING

A Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus) (on the right) followed two Lesser Sandplovers (Charadrius mongolus) in flights over the Danzhou Bay mudflats (January 8)/LI TIANPING

A Chinese national first-class protected animal and endangered species with only a few hundred members worldwide, the Spoon-Billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) was seen looking for food in the Danzhou Bay mudflats (January 8)/LI TIANPING

At Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park, an injured Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) was unable to take flight (January 9)/LI TIANPING

A flock of Black-faced Spoonbills (Platalea minor) seen taking an afternoon nap in Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park (January 9)/LI TIANPING

A Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) in Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park spread its wings as it takes flight (January 9)/LI TIANPING

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