Ninghai Bay welcomes migratory birds

[Video/Ningbo Daily]

Ninghai Bay in Ningbo has become a vibrant stopover for thousands of migratory birds this season, as spotted starlings fill the skies with their swirling formations.

The birds, easily identified by the striking white patches on their wings, circle and dive in large groups over the wetlands, creating a dynamic spectacle visible from the coast.

"They always move together, and the wing spots make them stand out in the sunlight," said Qiu Yunjiao, leader of a local volunteer bird protection team. Experts have confirmed the flock as spotted starlings, making the region even more biodiverse than previously thought.

The starlings' group flights are a natural survival strategy, allowing them to conserve energy, stay together, and avoid predators. Ninghai Bay, located along the East Asia-Australasia migratory route, provides abundant food in its mudflats and wetlands, making it an ideal resting point for birds traveling south from northern regions each November and December.

Local efforts have been crucial in protecting these visitors. Since 2020, a volunteer team of local people and police has conducted regular monitoring, patrols, and educational outreach, ensuring that the birds are not disturbed during their migration.

Qiu noted, "In recent years, rare species like red-footed plovers and grey cranes have settled here, and now the spotted starlings have joined. Each year brings a new surprise."

Thanks to ongoing conservation work, Ninghai Bay now hosts increasing numbers and diversity of migratory birds, reflecting a growing harmony between humans and nature in this coastal sanctuary.