Spatula-billed Stork Spotted in Longling Mengnuo Wetland
Yunnan Net
Wetland Scenery. Hu Xinxun photographed.
“Where did these birds come from? We haven’t seen them before!” “Look, they’re quite large!” For several days, a group of unidentified birds has temporarily ‘settled’ in the large sea ecological wetland in Longling County, Yunnan. They rest on branches near the wetland, enjoying the warm winter sunshine; they flap their wings and fly across the mountains and countryside of Mengnuo Dam; they forage in the wetland reeds, tasting the delicacies bestowed by nature… This has attracted many onlookers, with groups of people gathering around the wetland’s perimeter, creating a beautiful painting of people and nature harmoniously coexisting.
After consultation by forestry technicians, referring to relevant materials, it was confirmed that these 10+ ‘winter visitors’ are called ‘Black-billed Storks’, a migratory bird species native to India and Sri Lanka. Their migration route mainly passes through Yunnan; the first record of Black-billed Storks was in Dali, Eryuan County, Yunnan, in October 3, 2006, and it was listed in the ‘IUCN World Conservation Union’ 2013 Red List of Endangered Species as a Low Risk Species; this was the first time it was discovered in Longling County.
Birds passing through the Mengnuo large sea wetland. Hu Xinxun photographed.
Longling Black Mountain Protection Zone technician Hu Xinxun introduced that Black-billed Storks are medium-sized storks, often active in swamps, rice paddies, and lakesides where food is abundant. Due to their large appetite, they mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates; fish, shrimp, and frogs supplement their diet. It is estimated that they are just passing through Mengnuo large sea wetland, needing temporary rest and food replenishment.
The ‘Earth’s Kidney’, a wetland, is an important ecological system on Earth, with functions such as stabilizing the environment, protecting species, and supplying resources. In August 2018, a research team led by Professor Qingsong Yu of the National Plateau Wetland Research Center visited Longling County to investigate wetland construction, and they believed that Longling wetlands are rich in resources, particularly the Mengnuo large sea wetland, which is an international migratory channel for migratory birds passing through Mengnuo, and its high-latitude, low-altitude geography and diverse natural environment have fostered the survival, habitat, and reproduction of wetland bird and fish resources.
Located at the foot of the Nu River, bordering Myanmar, the Mengnuo large sea ecological wetland covers a total area of over 1000 acres. Currently, there are dozens of bird species in the wetland and its surrounding areas.
“In recent years, Mengnuo Town has conscientiously implemented the ‘green development’ concept and practiced the principle of ‘mountains and rivers are gold and silver’; it has insisted on coordinating the development of mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, and grasslands, and has strived to create ‘national forest villages’ and build ‘beautiful villages’ as well as strengthen the protection of wildlife resources, taking it as an opportunity to strengthen wetland protection and wildlife protection, increasing the protection efforts for the Mengnuo large sea wetland and its surrounding areas' wildlife habitats, and striving to build an attractive town of ecological habitability, industry, and tourism.
The Mengnuo large sea ecological wetland is located at the foot of the Nu River, bordering Myanmar. Currently, there are dozens of bird species in the wetland and its surrounding areas.
“In recent years, we have taken measures such as joint patrols and public education to strengthen the protection of the wetland and its surrounding wildlife habitats. Due to the better ecological environment, the populations and numbers of terrestrial and aquatic birds have increased compared to before.” Li Jiayou, head of Mengnuo Forestry Station, introduced. (Yang Zhihui, Yu Yunjiang, Li Zhisheng)
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