As we enter the peak season for migratory birds, how do the vast and diverse landscapes of China provide ideal conditions for these species? According to reports, China is home to four of the nine main migratory bird flyways globally, including the West Pacific, East Asia-Australasia, Central Asia, and West Asia-East Africa routes. With over 1,500 bird species, approximately 800 of which are migratory, these birds constitute around 53% of China’s avifauna.
One notable stopover point for migratory birds is the Momoge Wetland in Jilin Province’s Baicheng City. Each spring and autumn, over 100,000 migratory birds visit the wetland to replenish their energy and prepare for their long journeys ahead.
In recent years, conservationists have taken proactive steps to monitor these populations. They have fitted rescued migratory birds with tracking devices to better understand their migration patterns. As the autumn migration peak approaches, we wanted to know how many visitors are currently flocking to Momoge and what changes we can expect in 2024.
During our visit to the Momoge National Nature Reserve, we encountered a lively group of whooping cranes. With nearly 300 species making their stop here, early data indicates that after the holiday season, some of the first arrivals include a small number of whooping cranes and geese. Primarily comprised of young, single birds, they are the first to arrive to scout for food and lodging.
As the days pass, family groups of whooping cranes have started to arrive. Every morning, while birds remain nestled in for the night, researchers count these distant guests. Currently, there are about 1,400 whooping cranes, with around 10% being juvenile birds, indicating robust health and resilience among the young. To date, over 6,000 birds, including whooping cranes, gray cranes, and tundra swans, have been spotted at Momoge, and that number continues to grow.
To shed light on their migration journey, we explored the past records from two white cranes rescued several years ago, which were equipped with tracking devices to document their extensive migration route—a journey spanning over 5,000 kilometers from their breeding grounds in Siberia to their wintering site in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province.
Our analysis revealed that Momoge is strategically located along this migratory corridor, serving as an essential stop where these cranes rest for a month before continuing their journey. The birds take off from Poyang Lake in March or April, heading back to Siberia, with Momoge still being a key replenishment stop along the way.
Fascinatingly, tracking data indicates that these cranes can reach altitudes of 2,553 meters and fly at speeds up to 163 kilometers per hour—faster than many vehicles on highways. Such high energy expenditures necessitate stops at sites rich in resources, like Momoge.
What factors contribute to the attraction of the Momoge Wetland for migratory birds? The answer lies in the availability of abundant water and food sources. Historically a dry region, significant ecological restoration efforts since 2018 have transformed the landscape. Satellite images from 2024 show a network of interlinked lakes, greatly expanding the wetland’s water area due to river and lake connectivity projects.
These developments have created a water network that optimally supports local ecosystems by regulating water supply. The recent initiation of a project to channel water from the Nen River into Baicheng aims to further enhance the ecological balance. As a result, the improved wetland ecology not only increases habitat options for migratory birds but also provides ample food supply, solidifying Momoge’s reputation as a favoured migration stopover, where birds spread the word to one another, year after year.