Yalu River estuary in NE China: a vital stopover for migratory birds

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:03]Hello everyone, this is Sui. I'm now at the National Nature Reserve of Yellow River Astra Wetland in Dandong Leing.

[00:00:12]This coastal wetland features swaying rays and vast tidal flies and flow. Thousands upon thousands of birds take off and land here. It's a vital stop on the East Asian Australian flyway. Today we are joined by conservation volunteer Shuan who will share with us the story of migrateway bird at this world heritage site. Hello.

[00:00:39]Could you briefly introduce yourself?

[00:00:42]>> Hello. Hello everyone. I'm John a staff member of Dongang government and also a bird conservation volunteer.

[00:00:51]So could you give us a quick overview of this national nature reserve of the Yellow River Astro Ratan?

[00:00:59]>> Absolutely. The reserve forms about along the coastline with a 36,000 hectare core reserve and uh 45,430 general control area. Uh it's dedicated to protecting wild rare animals and plants and also a variety of wetlands uh ecosystems. Uh the reed marshes, the uh tidal salt marshes and sweet salt marshes and uh asterines and shallow air uh shallow marine areas.

[00:01:35]>> And we've heard that this area is incredibly rich in biod diversity.

[00:01:40]>> Yeah, that's correct. Um there are 636 plant species and also uh 324 bird species and also over 100 uh fish species here. So it's really a rare biodiversity uh hotspot with a complex ecological network.

[00:02:03]We know that the Yalo River estruary was inscribed in July 2024 on the world natural heritage list. So as a migratory bird sanctuary, it became Dandelon's first worldclass ecological calling card. So what is the history of bird conservation in this national nature reserve? Well, the reserve was founded in 1987 and uh it upgraded to a national nature reserve in uh with the with the approval of state council in 1997.

[00:02:40]And in 1999 we uh joined the East Asian Australian Shawird site network and also last September we renewed and the re memorandum of understanding with the New Zealand's Miranda Shawbert Center after first establishing the uh reserve sister partnership in 2004.

[00:03:04]>> So international exchanges and cooperation began quite early on. Yeah, that's true. Um, and additionally in 2014, uh, the the Wetlands International named the reserve as the stop the best stopover for shawirds and its 2024 inscription on the world's natural heritage list is quite a profound recognition of our decades of conservation work. The reserve's world heritage status speaks to its immense value in global migratory bird conservation. So what's specifically makes it so valuable? uh located in the northern part of the Yellow Sea Bohigh Sea ecological region. Um the national reserve as is a key note on the east Asian ostellation uh flyway and external intertidal flats hold abundant uh benthic biological resources uh providing an ideal stopover and food supply for shers that rely heavily on the tidal flats >> and which bird species are particularly dependent on this place. Well, it plays a critical role in the successful migration of inter uh endangered species such as the grey knots and far eastern ku as well as the nearthreatened species uh like the bartailed godwit and the oyster catcher. And each year more than 500,000 water birds stop over here and uh inhabit the reserve.

[00:04:46]500,000 is a remarkable number. Yeah.

[00:04:49]And what is the proportion of shawirds here?

[00:04:52]>> Well, shawirds actually are the dominant water bird group here at the uh yellow river eststerie. Over 20 uh water bird species have populations that are of international significance on the East Asian Australian flyway.

[00:05:10]And what is the general time frame uh in which the migratory bird stay at this reserve? Well, mainly in spring and just like right now from late March to mid to late uh May uh species such as the bar tailed godwit uh great knin and grape plver they arrive one after another and then headed north um again after a short rest. Um, and the oyster catcher is a special case. Well, with some populations breeding right here at the Yellow River Eststery and beyond the large numbers of birds, can you tell us something about the reserves importance in the bird conservation?

[00:05:58]>> Um, well, this area is really an important habit uh for rare and in and endangered species. Um there are 76 national first and second class key protected animal species. on seven species included in the appendix one of ICITS and 27 species listed as critically endangered endangered or vulnerable on the IUC and red list and we know that the bird conservation work usually involves multiple dimensions. So how is the daily word conservation work carried out here after being inscribed on the world heritage list?

[00:06:46]>> Well, our conservation work for fall falls into three main areas. Um scientific research and monitoring and uh patrol and law enforcement and also public education and outreach. And can you first introduce the scientific research work carried out by the wood?

[00:07:06]>> Well, in terms of uh scientific research, uh we have uh conducted water bird monitoring since uh 1999 and we have a field research station uh at the reserve and carry out in-depth cooperation with the school of life science at Shanghai Fuan University.

[00:07:30]Which bird species does the uh research station focus on?

[00:07:35]>> Well, we conduct in-depth uh service on distribution, population, uh the activity patterns and key threat factors of water birds including the blackfaced spoon bill uh far eastern kio great knots and bar tailed godwit.

[00:07:54]And what specific measures does the reserve take for patrol and uh law enforcement? Uh well, we implement the grid based management and uh divide patrol areas by village. over 100 forest rangers and uh law enforcement officers have conducted night patrols since midFebruary and carrying out comprehensive inspections of uh migratory birds uh habitats and also the foraging grounds. Um we also work closely with public security and other departments. Um last year we cracked four cases of illegal bird hunting and trafficking. Um during the peak bird watching uh period uh we arrange dedicated stuff to patrol and is inspect the hij road uh in order to stop the behaviors such as the drone filming um and also the wildlife rescue is also a key part of our work. Um, of the 93 uh wild animal species we rescued last year, uh, 38 belong to the national second class uh, key protected animals.

[00:09:18]>> And what about the work relating to publicity and education?

[00:09:24]Well, in terms of uh publicity and education, well, during the annual water bird um uh migration period, we collaborate with the televisions, newspapers and uh internet media to broadcast the grand spectacle of the migratory birds migration. And uh we also produce brochures um promotional videos uh while carrying out uh the wetland um conservation publicity in schools and in communities uh including the themed events like the world world wetlands day and cultural and natural heritage day.

[00:10:08]So after the 27 years of uninterrupted water birds monitoring, the round the clock pure by over 100 staff members and the consistent public education and outreach, our systematic conservation work has preserved the magnificent scene of thousands of birds flying together and the clear blue sky. So, thank you for continuing to make this Yellow River estuary wetland the most reliable stop on the bird migratory journey.

[00:10:45]>> Thank you, Z. And we hope everyone will join us in caring about the migratory bird and also this thriving world heritage site. And uh finally here in Dongang, this beautiful city on the uh Yellow River estie in northeast China with the stunning scenery of mountains and uh sea and hotring. Tasty food like strawberries, blueberries and uh all kinds of seafood. We invite friends from all over the world to come here and experience the northern coastal charm.

[00:11:22]Thank you.

[00:11:24]Thank you for your introduction Shan and this is the first time for me to come here. Dongan is really a beautiful city and we can see that there are many photography enthusiasts behind us. So next we will talk with one of them and ask how to shoot the beautiful birds.

[00:11:43]Here is our photography enthusiast Mr. Leo.

[00:12:13]Um, and Miss Leo is one of the photography enthusiast in Dongan and he has uh took the picture of the migratory birds for many years and he said that this place is the best place to shoot the flocks of birds and how to take a beautiful picture and at the same time we will not uh disturb the bird.

[00:13:06]So in order to shoot the beautiful picture, we should avoid making some noise uh using the uh picturing plan and so on. So if we just take the picture of the migratory bird, use the flash and the shutter voice, uh this bird will be very frighted.

[00:13:35]>> And also we can't wear some colorful uh clothes uh because uh this clothes will disturb the birds at the same time.

[00:13:48]So as an experienced enthusiast, you have taken many pictures. Uh which one is your favorite?

[00:14:21]So, Mr. Leo uh released this picture uh collection uh in 2017 and his favorite picture is the last one in this collection and we can see in this picture there are flocks of birds and the dongan. So this picture can show the harmonious uh image between our human community and the nature.

[00:14:49]Thank you for joining us today and we will see you next time.

[00:15:21]Hello everyone. This is Hey. Hey. Hey.