Most of the migratory birds that winter around Xiaojing Lake are waders, which build nests in the depths of the reeds and feed on the shallows around the lake. Xiaojing Lake is rich in water, even in winter, the degree of water level drop is not obvious, in the reeds, there are still a lot of shallow pits.

During the summer season, these shallow pits are connected together and become part of Xiaojing Lake, which also becomes a paradise for small fish, shrimp, crabs, loaches, yellow eels and so on. As the water level drops, this shallow pit becomes the existence of reading power, trapping a lot of fish and shrimp. Now, these little things that have no way to go to heaven and no way to the ground have become a delicious meal for migratory birds, and they are wantonly hunted.

However, this is the law of nature, survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle!

Yu Shanwei's main research object is aquatic animals, while Han Zhengbao's main direction is terrestrial animals, but wading birds are just in between, and the research of the two people overlaps slightly, so the two of them joined hands to start the observation and research of migratory birds.

The abundance of food in the reeds and the relative safety of the environment create an unusually comfortable atmosphere for the migratory birds, making them love the place immediately. In just a few days, Yu Shanwei and others, who were observing and photographing migratory birds in the duck shed, found that the reeds were soon occupied by a large number of wading birds.

The largest number is a variety of egrets, egrets, herons, black herons, cattle egrets,......, almost most of the heron species have appeared in front of Yu Shanwei's camera. In the past, as one of the common birds in China, the egret bird was seen almost everywhere in the north and south of the river, and it was not uncommon at all. However, over the years, with the impact of human activities, indiscriminate fishing and environmental pollution, the egret has quickly become an endangered species and has begun to be included in various conservation conventions.

Now, except for some less polluted waters, mountains and streams, where herons can still be seen, it is difficult to see a large number of egrets in other places. In some parks and reserves, the presence of egrets has become one of the important indicators of environmental health.

Now, Yu Shanwei has seen hundreds of various egrets flying down from the woods on the mountains by the lake every morning to feed on the shallows of Xiaojing Lake. The egrets fly gracefully, like cranes, and are very desirable. The biological clock of the heron bird is very punctual, and the daily itinerary is almost strictly followed by the 'schedule', and there is no confusion at all.

Half of the egrets living on the shores of Xiaojing Lake are migratory birds that have migrated from afar, and some are local resident birds, but they do not have much regional differences, they are mixed together, and no one can distinguish them.

Compared to other wading birds that are a little more relaxed, the resident birds of the heron are a bit rushed, returning to the nest every half hour to nurse their young. From time to time, the rising and falling egrets rise and fall on the shallows, causing ripples, and the whole shallows become like a busy international airport because of their presence.

White, black or grey figures pass silently across the calm surface of the lake, merging with the surrounding landscape and reflecting on the lake's surface.

The busy and calm performance of the egrets is just a microcosm of the large number of wading birds, and in Xiaojing Lake, the migratory birds quickly adapt to this kind of life and live a good life.

In addition to the heron, there are also a large number of agile sandpipers, and the allusion of the idiom 'sandpiper and clam fight, fisherman profits' is said to be this kind of bird. They are fast and flying, and they are a striking contrast to the large, graceful waders that embody a different style.

Herons and sandpipers are the most abundant of wading birds, but Yu Shanwei and Han Zhengbao's attention is not on them, but on the rarer migratory birds.

The white stork, also known as the Oriental white stork, is one of the larger wading birds, the largest of which is about 1.2 meters long, which can be described as an out-and-out giant. They are slender and look like beautiful works of art. In the past, they were often seen in lakes and rivers, but the slower movement of the white stork has made it a target for many human hunts, and its population has declined dramatically.

Now that Yu Shanwei can find dozens of Oriental White Storks in Xiaojing Lake, it is false to say that he is not excited, which also makes Yu Shanwei more confident in squatting in Xiaojing Lake and shooting patiently.

As time went on and the filming progressed, the surprise in the hearts of Yu Shanwei and Han Zhengbao and others became more and more, because the number and variety of rare migratory birds in their field of vision gradually increased.

Rare wading birds such as white-headed ibis, black-necked cranes, etc.; Large migratory birds such as geese, swans, and whooper swans can also be seen everywhere around Xiaojing Lake, and they have now become the most beautiful scenery of Xiaojing Lake.

Originally, it was thought that Xiaojing Lake was just an ordinary wintering spot, and at most there were some common migratory birds such as wild ducks and geese wintering here, but it turned out that this is a paradise for migratory birds that has not yet been discovered.

According to Yu Shanwei's experience, the number of migratory birds living in the Xiaojing Lake area is at least more than 10,000, and the wings that cover the sky every morning and dusk are the best evidence. In addition to the astonishing number, those rare birds that are not common add more charm to Xiaojing Lake.

The surrounding mountains and rivers of Xiaojing Lake, as well as the continuous reeds, create the best living environment for the migratory birds, so that they can drive away the fatigue of the journey here, recharge their energy, and look forward to returning to the north again in the coming year.

In addition, Liang Village has cultivated a simple sense of nature conservation since ancient times, but it has created a safe living environment for migratory birds, so that they do not have to worry about human coveting.

All kinds of factors combined, Yu Shanwei found that Xiaojing Lake turned out to be an out-and-out bird paradise. All kinds of birds, whether migratory or residential, can taste the freshest and most delicious food here without worrying about people hunting.

Yu Shanwei knows that there are not many migratory bird habitats like Xiaojing Lake in China, which have not experienced industrial pollution, and the green mountains and green waters have created the best environment for birds. In addition, the relatively convenient transportation and infrastructure construction has become an advantage of Xiaojing Lake, which has the potential to become a bird-watching mecca.

It is important to know that many migratory bird habitats are mostly in remote barren mountains and mountains, and bird watching enthusiasts and scientific researchers must overcome a lot of difficulties to see those lovely natural spirits if they want to make observations.

Where is it now, living in a comfortable duck shed, you can see a large number of rare birds under your nose, and make the clearest observation and photographing.

From this point of view, Xiaojing Lake is indeed a bird-watching paradise for bird-watching enthusiasts!

(To be continued)