The Ecology is Getting Better! Over 100 Little Fairies Make Their Home on the Wei River in Baoji

On March 22nd, reporters found dozens of bird nests on a cliff face section of the Wei River in the city district of Weihe River. Hundreds of birds were going back and forth between the river surface and the bird nests, making a constant 'jijiji' sound. According to expert Li Yaosheng of the city, this is Cliff Sand Swallow, a rare population of over 100 birds.

On that day at noon, reporters walking on the Wei River embankment in the city district, they saw a large group of birds circling above the Wei River, sometimes flying several hundred meters away, and sometimes diving close to the soil cliff beside the river. To investigate, reporters jumped down to the cliff face, and took a closer look, it turned out that there was a row of crisscrossed bird nests on the cliff, about 40-50, the entrance diameter was about 10 cm, and it was at a height of one or two meters from the river. Seeing people approaching the nest, the birds' calls instantly became no longer soft, they circled around the reporters, and the reporters were able to see the appearance of these little elves up close: grey-brown feathers, with a brown circle under the neck, and a white belly, with a length about 10 cm, smaller than swallows.

Animal expert Li Yaosheng after seeing the photos said that this is Cliff Sand Swallow, also known as Grey Sand Swallow, belonging to the Swallow family and Swallow genus, with a body length of 11 to 14 cm, its back feathers are brown or sandy brown, belongs to the ‘three-important’ animals with beneficial, important economic value and scientific research value, typically nests in groups near water sources on sandy cliffs, known as ‘cliff architects’. It specializes in hunting flying mosquitoes and other insects, especially adept at capturing low-flying insects close to the ground and water, which has a protective effect on crops, and a population of over 100 is rare. He said that Cliff Sand Swallows migrate south for winter, these swallows have high environmental requirements, their presence in the city indicates that Baozhou’s ecological environment is becoming increasingly good.

Baozhou Daily all-media reporter Yang Shubo

Note: The text does not specify the exact location, in order to protect birds and prevent others from damaging them.

Short comment

Protect birds and harmonious coexistence

◎ Dawn

There are over 100 Cliff Sand Swallows living on the banks of Wei River in the city district, this bird is called ‘cliff architect’, they choose cliffs to live, but they have high requirements for the surrounding environment, which shows that our city environment is becoming increasingly good, attracting these little elves to settle here.

Now, it is spring, everything is recovering, trees are gradually sprouting green buds, and many flowers are blooming in bloom. People often say ‘bird language and flowers fragrance’, in recent years, our city has continuously increased greening and planting, the city green space and small parks are increasing day by day, people’s living environment is becoming more and more beautiful. Because of this, 300 kinds of birds live in Baozhou, whether in the city or in the countryside, you can hear birds singing everywhere, making Baozhou look particularly beautiful in this spring.

In recent years, people’s love for birds and protection of birds awareness has been increasing, villagers see injured birds will actively report to relevant departments, and some citizens actively feed birds, people and birds harmonious coexistence news is everywhere. Every bird is a spirit of nature, this Cliff Sand Swallow, which has long been admired by many bird lovers, has finally appeared in the city, which is a recognition of Baozhou’s ecological environment. Let us work together to protect these beautiful little elves, let them fly freely in the sky of Baozhou.

(Baozhou Daily)