Huanzidong Reservoir, Liaoning Province

This week, we received an exciting update on the Siberian Crane fall migration in eastern China from Mr. Zhou Haixiang, who recently visited Huanzidong Reservoir in Liaoning Province. Huanzidong Reservoir is located northwest of Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning. Our last location for No. 59947 from November 10th places this crane near the reservoir. Meanwhile, No. 59948 arrived on the northern shore of the Bo Hai Sea on November 5th. The Bo Hai Sea is an important "rest stop" for hundreds of thousands of migratory waterbirds in eastern China. To learn more about this area, check out our fact sheet and PowerPoint presentation on Tianjin, the third largest city in China on the western shores of Bo Hai.

"The Siberian Crane flock size at the migration stopover site in Huanzidong Reservoir in central Liaoning Province, China, gradually increased from over 20 birds in early October, up to 430 birds on November 5. On November 6, most of the cranes left the area to continue their southern migration (photos 1-3 below). Over a hundred Siberian Cranes remain at the site (photo 4 below). About 10% of the remaining cranes are chicks from this year (maybe one of our banded chicks was in this flock!). Mr. Zhou said that normally Siberian Cranes leave Huanzidong in late October, and by early November all of the cranes are gone. This fall the cranes are leaving later than in other years.

Besides Siberian Cranes, on November 5, 44 Hooded Cranes were observed at the site. These cranes left for the south the same day (photo 5 below). Flocks of Oriental White Storks have been arriving at the site in small groups of 20-50 birds, and left in October for the south."

We thank Dr. Su Liying for sending us this report and Mr. Zhou Haixiang for allowing us to post his beautiful images.