Huaqiu, a conservationist of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, once said that many migratory birds fly across international routes and fly over many countries. They are actually friendly messengers of international ecological exchanges. Therefore, we must treat them well.

Origin:

"We escort migratory birds to the Dongting Lake-'a birds shuttle us'" is a public welfare campaign planned and operated by CBCGDF volunteers of the Cummunity Conservation Area for wetland at Songhada (Harbin) (CCAfa). They investigated many places where wild birds were rescued and sheltered, and they had been raised for a long time, but were not sent outside, but were all sent to the zoo for viewing, instead of returning to nature. In the end, these birds lost their freedom and the ability to return to nature.

West Dongting Lake in Hanshou County, Hunan Province has a warm climate and is a natural home for migratory birds overwintering. After consulting a lot of information and consulting experts, the CBCGDF volunteers learned that some birds pass through Hanshou County, and some birds will spend the winter in the nature reserve.

One of the planners of the campaign, the volunteer Huaqiu said: “The north is already so cold, and the photos and videos shared by volunteers in Hanshou County recently introduced many natural birds singing in Dongting Lake. It is a sight of spring. Therefore, everyone proposed a solution to transport the migratory birds suitable for release from the rescue station in the north to the habitat of Dongting Lake."

Purpose of this trip

It is hoped to solve the worries of the bird rescue stations in the northern area and ensure that these birds return to nature. A large number of rescued birds have already missed the time to fly, they can only be kept in a large cage, spend a long winter, and wait until the spring of the next year to be released back to nature. In addition, some southern birds, such as thrush, Crested Myna, and grackle, are not suitable for flying in the north. Therefore, it is unrealistic and unscientific to stay in the north for conservation, and the cost is also high, which is not conducive to the conservation of species diversity.

Where did the birds come from?

During the patrol and rescue work of migratory bird protection in autumn, CBCGDF volunteers, after publicizing and educating bird farmers and illegal hunters, they took the initiative to hand over some birds. Some of the birds were obtained from the action of the functional departments to combat illegal hunting. In some districts and counties around Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, a large number of cases of illegal hunting of migratory birds have been cracked. Some of the birds were released locally, but some missed the best time for migration.

Support from relevant departments

The most important thing is that, during the quarantine process, the volunteers have received strong support from the leader of relevant functional department in Harbin, which opened a green channel for this campaign and simplified the quarantine procedure. They showed their love for this public welfare action.

This action by CBCGDF volunteers received strong assistance and support from the relevant management department of the West Dongting Lake Nature Reserve in Hanshou County, Hunan Province. The volunteers expressed that they felt gratified from the cooperation of government departments.

The successful docking of volunteers, government departments, and law enforcement agencies from the North and the South this time is an unprecedented rescue of wild animals in China, setting a precedent and setting a demonstration.

Specific actions:

In order to ensure the health and safety of migratory birds and successfully complete the journey of more than 2,800 kilometers, the volunteers in Harbin rented a RV with good thermal insulation. Sleeping berths in the RV are specially used to place migratory birds, driving to the south day and night. In addition, they invited experts who have many years of experience in rescuing wild birds of the Wildlife Rescue Station in Jilin on the road together.

After selection and meeting the conditions, the birds that took this "migratory birds shuttle bus" included: Bluethroat, Siberian Rubythroat, paddy-field pipit, common redpoll, siskin, Yellow-throated Bunting, goldfinch, tomtit, black-tailed hawfinch. Huaqiu said: "This cooperation formed the bird’s guardian team and took the 'migratory birds shuttle bus' all the way to Hanshou County. It was also exulting for our country's victory in the fight against COVID-19, and the epidemic was effectively controlled. Ecological protection is not a problem. The ecological environment will be better, and the biodiversity will be more friendly. "

The CBCGDF volunteers bought large cages with large water boxes and food boxes before setting off. Sufficient water and bird food were prepared before leaving, and the bird food and water were always observed during transportation. In order to ensure that the birds have enough space to move on the road, each cage has an upper limit on the number of birds, which is basically between 10-20, to ensure that they would not bite each other and cause unnecessary injuries and loss. “We fed water twice a day, there was no way of making the birds starve and thirsty.” Thanks to the meticulous care of the CBCGDF volunteers and wildlife protection experts from Jilin: They observed the birds anytimes and filled food, added water.

After arriving at Dongting Lake, the CBCGDF volunteers said excitedly: "Zero death, 100% survival rate! What did it look like when they set off, and what they were like when arrived - no bird died on the road. Birds are very healthy, and they keep waving their wings - there is no problem with local release."

The aims

This trip is actually opening an exit to explore how to make migratory birds catch up with the time of migration. It’s hoped that the birds will spend a cold winter in nature and play the role of ecological harmony freely. On the other hand, it is also to reduce the cost of feeding and rescue at the rescue station, thereby opening up an international channel to let these precious birds come from where they will eventually return.

It is hoped that through this operation, it will help the birds in northern China to open a pathway to the south, so that a large number of birds suitable for returning to nature can return to their habitats and contribute to the development of a green environment.

This time, the CBCGDF northern volunteers went south, and they could also experience the fruits of ecological protection in the south of the Yangtze River and the beauty of Dongting Lake. They investigated the status quo of biodiversity, worked with volunteers from Hanshou County to protect ecological civilization, build ecological civilization, protect the ecological environment, and explore a new way of combining official and private wildlife protection. At the same time, they will also carry out scientific popularization in the field of wildlife protection in the local areas, so that more people can devote themselves to the overall pattern of protecting the ecological environment and make the ecology better. To carry out all-round exchanges in areas such as the display of publicity and education results, the return of migratory birds, the observation of natural birds, joint patrol and rescue, and assisting functional departments in combating poaching.

Significance:

Living in the same global village, human beings are only one link in the chain of biodiversity. All kinds of creatures are indispensable to human life. Increase or decrease indicates environmental changes and warns human beings. The release of the birds into the ecological environment is also to make the lucid waters and lush mountains more magnificent. The routes of many migratory birds are transnational and fly over many countries. They are actually friendly messengers of ecological exchanges between the international countries. Therefore, we must treat them well.

Environmental protection and biodiversity are closely related, and environmental protection is to protect human habitat. The biggest problem with human habitats is the collapse of natural habitats and the destruction of the ecological environment, including the crisis of bird survival. We must pay attention to the ecosystem. Birds are a comprehensive indicator of the environment. Protecting birds is as important as the smog control.

(Photo credit: CBCGDF volunteers)

By / Maggie

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