Beijing expects 3 million avian 'guests' in winter

Beijing is expecting to accommodate over 3 million migratory birds this winter as avian migration peaks, according to the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau.

Since September, wildlife monitoring stations around the city have reported over 640,000 wild birds and filed observation records for over 13,000 more.

Three great bustards, one of national first-class protected animals, recently made an appearance at Beijing's Tongzhou district and attracted many bird watchers.

According to Beijing's list of terrestrial wildlife released in October, there are 596 species of terrestrial wildlife in Beijing, including 30 species of amphibians and reptiles, 63 species of mammals and 503 species of birds.

Taking into account the food, drink, resting, and traveling needs of local wildlife "residents", as well as the "avian guests", the city integrated animal protection measures into the construction and landscaping of its green zones.

At present, Beijing is ranked second among the capitals of G20 members in terms of avian diversity, and has become one of the cities with the richest biodiversity in the world.