Waterbirds Migration Photographed along the Coast of Ningbo

Thousands of cormorants are flying over the Xiangshan Port (Photo by Lu Wei)

(资料图片仅供参考)

In recent days, spectacular flocks of waterbirds have been caught by bird lovers in the coastal regions of Ningbo. Many migratory birds will overwinter in these regions, but questions arise: Why do they “prefer” to stay along the coast of Ningbo? Why are they frequently captured in recent times?

近日，在宁波海边，鸟类爱好者多次拍到成千上万只水鸟群体迁徙的壮观影像。每年冬春季节，在沿海越冬的冬候鸟确有不少，但为何“选”在宁波沿海，又为何是近段时间被频频抓拍？

On February 15, thousands of cormorants were photographed flying and scouting for fish in the waters of Xiangshan Port near Qifeng Village and Tongzhao Village, Chunhu Sub-district, Fenghua District, which left a deep impression on the citizens.

2月15日，记者在奉化区莼湖街道栖凤村、桐照村的象山港海域拍到上千只鸬鹚群体飞越象山港、群体捕鱼的画面，给市民留下了深刻印象。On the evening of February 20, flocks of wild ducks were foraging, gamboling, and hovering on the sea near Tiesha Island, Qiangjiao Town, Ninghai County of Ningbo. The arresting gathering of millions of birds was a real feast for tourists.

2月20日傍晚，在宁波市宁海县强蛟镇铁沙岛附近，数千只野鸭在海面上觅食、嬉戏，成群结队飞舞盘旋，万鸟翔集的震撼场面让游客们大饱眼福。

The above-mentioned species are known to be wintering migrants along the coast of Ningbo. In addition, the common coot (a black waterbird with a white forehead) can be frequently observed. According to Zhang Haihua, a nature photographer and a writer of natural history with Ningbo Evening News, the frequent massive migration of these birds at this stage can be attributed to the following three aspects.

据了解，上述鸟类是在宁波沿海越冬的冬候鸟，除此外，较为常见的还有白骨顶（一种具有白色额头的黑色水鸟）。宁波晚报自然摄影师、博物作家张海华分析现阶段候鸟大规模迁徙“常见”的原因，主要有以下三方面。

Firstly, bordered by the rolling Siming Mountain on the west and the East China Sea on the east, Ningbo is located in the middle of East Asia- Australia migratory route — one of the most important migratory routes in the world — so there is a variety of species of waterbirds or forest birds. Of the more than 400 species recorded in Ningbo, two-thirds are migratory birds, with wintering birds accounting for the majority. Therefore, this city is a geographically ideal destination to observe migratory birds in China, especially those migrating along the coastline.

一是宁波西靠连绵的四明山，东临大海，刚好处在东亚-澳大利亚的候鸟迁徙路线（这是全球最重要的候鸟迁徙路线之一）的中段，因此无论是水鸟还是林鸟，种类都很多。在宁波有记录的400多种鸟类中，三分之二属于候鸟，其中冬候鸟又占了多数。因此，从地理位置来看，宁波是一个观察我国的候鸟比较理想的地方，尤其是那些沿着海岸线迁徙的鸟。

Secondly, Ningbo’s coastal regions are strewn with patches of wetlands including shallow sea areas, intertidal zones, and ponds, providing habitats for these wintering waterbirds. By early spring, lots of waterbirds have begun to move northwards, so they are very likely to stopover and forage for food in the coastal wetlands during the journey. Additionally, waterbirds that have already wintered in this area may also gather together before leaving. With these two factors combined, the coast will witness a surge in the number of waterbirds in a short time.

第二是宁波沿海有大量湿地，包括浅海区域、潮间带、海滨水塘等，这些湿地为越冬水鸟提供了栖息地。而到了早春，不少水鸟已经开始往北迁徙，因此非常有可能在北上过程在宁波沿海湿地逗留、觅食；同时，原本就在本地越冬的水鸟也可能在迁徙前先聚集在一起，然后再启程。上述两个因素的叠加，使得出现在宁波海边的水鸟数量可能在短时间内骤增。

Thirdly, more people will pay heed to birds around them as the public’s ecological awareness enhances. The increase in birdwatchers implies that the migratory birds will be more easily observed and photographed.

第三是，近年来，随着市民生态意识的提高，有更多的人会注意观察身边的鸟类。观测者数量的增加，也意味着那些候鸟更容易被观察、拍摄到。

During this period, tourists will see cormorants gamboling and foraging on the water near the coastal highway from Qifeng Village to Tongzhao Village. Why not seize this opportunity to connect with the vibrancy of nature?

这段时间，游客基本上能在栖凤村至桐照村的沿海公路附近，看到鸬鹚在水面上嬉戏觅食的场景。感兴趣的市民可以趁此机会，近距离感受大自然的生机与活力。

Reporters: Zhang Haihua, LuWei, Zhang Haiyu

Compiled and translated byMei Jie

Proofreaders: Puyang Rong,Fan Yeping,Jason Mowbray

Editor: Li Xiaoying

Senior Editor: Lei Junhu

Editorial Director: Zhao Peng

关键词： Ningbo Coast