The 13th Dongting Lake International Bird Watching Festival will take place between December 28 and 30.

This year's bird watching festival aims to showcase the beauty of the Dongting Lake, the natural scenery of bird watching spots, the new achievements of the comprehensive treatment of the ecological environment of the Dongting Lake, and Yueyang's progress in ecological civilization construction. The event will continuously help increase the popularity of the ecological brand—the Dongting Lake International Birdwatching Festival, and further promote the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature.

The festival is co-hosted by the China Wildlife Conservation Association, Hunan Provincial Department of Forestry, and the people's governments of Yueyang, Changde, and Yiyang cities, with Yueyang as the main venue, and Yiyang and Changde as sub-venues. The opening ceremony will be held on the morning of December 29 at the Yueyang Culture and Art Exhibition Center.

Winter is a prime time for bird watching. Yueyang, a paradise for bird-watching enthusiasts, boasts unique geographical location and abundant natural resources. Yueyang, encompassing over 60% of Dongting Lake's waters and 163 kilometers of Yangtze River shoreline, is a crucial area for Dongting Lake's ecological protection. Data shows that there are 367 species of birds in the Dongting Lake area, accounting for one-third of the national total. The number of wintering migratory birds has been on the rise in recent years, exceeding 300,000 birds.

Tundra swans inhabit at the Donggu Lake in Qu Yuan Management Area, Yueyang City. (Photo/Song Zhengjun)

Egrets are seen around the Dongting Lake. (Photo/Li Wen)

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese sources: hunantoday