Boshan, Yunnan Second Discovery of the World's Critically Endangered Blue-breasted Grey Loon

Renmin Net - Yunnan Channel Original Article

Renmin Net Boshan February 24th (Li Fuxing) According to the Boshan Qinghua Sea National Wetland Park Management Center, on February 22nd, staff members monitored a male Blue-breasted Grey Loon during patrol. Blue-breasted Grey Loon is a world critically endangered bird species. In January 2019, it was first discovered in the Boshan Dahizi Reservoir. This is the second time the bird species has been found in Boshan.

It is reported that Blue-breasted Grey Loon (scientific name: Aythya baeri) is a medium-sized duck species distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is an important species in the East Asia-Australia migratory zone. Since the 1990s, due to habitat loss, overhunting and human disturbance, the population has declined sharply, and it has been listed as Critically Endangered (CR) by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The global population is only about 1000.

Qinghua Sea National Wetland Park is an important part of the East Asia-Australia International Migratory Bird Stopover Area, including Beimiao Reservoir, Donghe River and Qinghua Sea three areas, with a total area of 1363 hectares. Since its approval to establish a national wetland park pilot in late 2016, Qinghua Sea National Wetland Park has actively carried out protection and management and scientific monitoring work. Currently, the number of bird species in Qinghua Sea National Wetland Park has reached 209, which is 39 more than when the park was built. The number of overwintering waterfowl is the most at about 17000, which is an important overwintering stopover site for migratory birds.