By love-89.com In a recent interview, we explored the fascinating migration of birds at the Tumuji National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia, where over 50,000 migratory birds are currently taking a rest stop. As the season of “Hanlu,” or Cold Dew, sets in and autumn deepens, countless birds embark on their journey southward.
At the Tumuji National Nature Reserve, species such as the white crane, little swan, white-headed crane, gray crane, white-fronted goose, and bean goose have made this sanctuary their temporary home, according to the latest monitoring data. On October 21, park officials spotted thousands of these migratory birds, including white cranes and green-headed ducks, soaring through the sky and foraging along the southern bank of Sandao Paozi within the reserve.
“The birds migrating here come from regions such as Siberia in Russia and northeastern China. They stop here to refuel before continuing their journey south,” said Qian Ying, the monitoring station chief at the Tumuji National Nature Reserve. He noted that, unlike previous years, the arrival of the first wave of migratory birds was a few days earlier than usual.
In the agricultural fields northwest of Tumuji Town, known for its core mountainous area, a dozen Great Bustards—often referred to as the “Giant Pandas of Birds,” which are a nationally protected species—were seen resting and searching for food. Zhou Jingying, the head of the scientific research and monitoring section at the reserve, explained, “Many of the crops have already been harvested, and the scattered soybeans, corn, and mung beans provide a primary food source for the birds. However, due to the early migration this year, many crops are either still being harvested or not yet ready, forcing the birds to seek sustenance in wetlands or reed marshes.”
The Tumuji National Nature Reserve, located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region’s Xingan League, aims to protect rare bird species like the Great Bustard and red-crowned crane, along with the grassland and wetland ecosystems they rely on. It is home to a rich diversity of avian life, boasting 16 orders, 46 families, and 303 species of birds, earning it the title of “Paradise for Birds.”
With ongoing improvements in the ecological environment, the number of migratory birds visiting the Xingan League has steadily increased over the years. Each year, mid-October marks peak migratory movement at the Tumuji reserve, attracting over 50 species of migratory birds, including geese, white cranes, swans, gray cranes, and oriental white storks.
To ensure safe migration routes for these birds, local authorities in Xingan League have launched special protection actions, enhancing monitoring and surveillance to create a comfortable resting environment for the migratory birds. “We utilize ground patrols, drone surveillance, and remote monitoring via satellite technology to accurately keep track of the reserve’s dynamics and bird activity. We continuously strengthen joint protection efforts and law enforcement to safeguard the overwintering migratory birds in the reserve,” stated Chen Jian, the director of the Tumuji National Nature Reserve Management Bureau.