Picturesque Scenery in March: Rare Clangalang Stork Dances at Fenghuang Lake

With the slogan ‘Where is happiness? Kunming Kaiyuan will tell you,’ Kunming Kaiyuan has now added another scenic spot – the rare bird Clangalang in this small city.

On the Fenghuang Lake in Kaiyuan, there are often dozens or even hundreds of Clangalangs coming to rest and forage every day, from as little as 30-50 to as many as 350.

These cute little elves sometimes perch on branches, or spread their wings, or curl up tiredly, or play together; sometimes they search for food by the lake, competing and fighting for food; sometimes they dance in the sky like a squadron of fighter jets in aerial combat; sometimes they spread their wings to bask in the sun, just like dancers showing off their final poses, their movements are graceful, their appearance is beautiful, and their figure is cute and lovable.

Citizens who come to the lake to walk and stroll are always stop to admire, and they praise it repeatedly. There are also many photographers who are waiting by the lake to observe and shoot these beloved elves. The photographers in the small city have therefore established a ‘Kaiyuan Photography’ WeChat group, where they share and exchange photos and videos daily, and they all want to take better, more moving shots of the birds.

According to relevant information, the Clangalang (scientific name: Anastomus oscitans) belongs to the Stork family, it is a migratory bird, originating in the Oriental biogeographic zone, mainly in India and Sri Lanka, it loves to forage for soft-bodied animals in swamps and coastal mudflats, and rests in tropical wetlands such as rice fields and shallow beaches. It was first recorded in China in Dali, Yunnan in October 3, 2006.

In 2015, someone once saw and photographed the Clangalang in Kaiyuan, but at that time Kaiyuan’s environment had not been improved well, and it couldn’t retain this noble ‘guest’. In recent years, Kaiyuan City has established Fenghuangshan Forest Park, Fenghuang Lake and Fenghuang Wetland, forming a livable and pleasant ecosystem of mountains, lakes and wetlands. The improvement of the environment has won the favor of many birds. Now, you can see and hear birds flying and singing in Fenghuangshan, Fenghuang Lake and Fenghuang Wetland Park, and you can also see white egrets, black-faced herons and wild ducks in Fenghuang Lake.

The long-term residence of the Clangalang in Kaiyuan has undoubtedly added to the joy of life for the citizens of Kaiyuan, and the happiness index of the small city is constantly increasing. ‘Where is happiness? Kunming Kaiyuan will tell you’ is no longer just a slogan, but it has a sincere and realistic meaning.

It’s a weekend, bring a good mood, go to Fenghuang Lake to see this rare Clangalang.

Author | Li Jie, Photo | Lu Guanghan